Jake & Gino: Real Estate Investing & Multifamily

The $9 MILLION Secret: Why Franchising Is The Single Greatest Wealth Creator on Earth

Dec 22, 2025

Cliff Notenmacher, a seasoned franchise consultant with 20 years of experience, shares invaluable insights into wealth creation through franchising. He highlights the surprising revenue potential of niche businesses like closet organization and gutter services, stressing the importance of scalability and profitability. Cliff also warns against investing in the food industry due to current market pressures. Additionally, he reveals essential criteria for evaluating franchises and offers practical examples of lucrative service-focused models. A must-listen for aspiring investors!

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INSIGHT

Franchising As The Ultimate Wealth Method

Franchising turns ordinary people into scalable wealth creators through a proven system and execution playbook.
Cliff Notenmacher argues no better methodology exists for creating lasting wealth than franchising.

ANECDOTE

From Printer Hack To 36 Locations

Cliff remanufactured toner cartridges and bought Australian master franchise rights to scale 36 locations across New York and Connecticut.
That early toner business proved niche franchising can reach major corporate clients and law firms quickly.

INSIGHT

Riches Hide In Boring Niches

The richest franchise opportunities are often in boring, specialized niches like closet systems or gutter services.
Cliff reveals some niche franchises average millions in annual revenue despite low consumer glamour.

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He dives into the secrets of the most lucrative "niche" businesses (you won't believe the average revenue of a closet company!) and reveals the non-negotiable criteria for identifying a scalable, high-profit franchise that can withstand market cycles—and why he is absolutely avoiding the food industry right now.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Franchising is the Ultimate Wealth Methodology: It takes ordinary people and gives them the tools to execute an exceptional, proven business model flawlessly, creating scalable wealth.

✔️ The Riches are in the Niches: Cliff reveals that specialty, non-glamorous businesses—like closet organization or gutter services—often generate significantly higher average annual revenues (up to $9 million) than generalist or highly-saturated concepts.

✔️ The Ideal Business Model: Focus on scalable, non-brick and mortar franchises that can be operated from a home or vehicle, are fully burdened with labor, and maintain a 15-20% profit margin to be run by a "manager of managers."

✔️ Proof of Concept & Royalty Sustainability: A franchise hits true sustainability for the franchisor around 100 units operating, meaning they have a proven distribution channel that works across different regions.

✔️ Avoid Food: Due to the combined pressures of supply chain disruption, skyrocketing rents, increased insurance, and legislated minimum wage hikes, Cliff believes the food industry is currently too high-risk for new franchise investment.

❓ Question for the Audience: Based on Cliff's advice about the "riches in the niches," what obscure or specialized business have you seen that's secretly crushing it, and why do you think specialization is so profitable?

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About Jake & Gino: Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and owners who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $350M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino here --> https://jakeandgino.com.

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