The Only Way Absentee Ownership in Franchising Really Works With Terry Rackley and Luke Jacobson

Apr 30, 2024

Terry Rackley and Luke Jacobson from StretchLab share insights on semi-absentee franchising, emphasizing the need for the right franchise opportunity, quick location openings, and employee challenges. They discuss the support from the franchisor, trial and error, organizational skills, and the value of strong partnerships in business.

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ANECDOTE

Luke's Semi-Absentee Ownership Challenge

Luke Jacobson initially aimed for semi-absentee ownership, working 10 hours weekly.
Managing proved harder than expected, with six managers in eight months and 20+ hours per week.

INSIGHT

The Importance of Speed

Speed in opening new franchise locations is crucial for maximizing ROI.
Delays increase costs like rent and legal fees, without generating revenue.

ADVICE

Employee Retention Strategies

Prioritize employee culture and development from the start, focusing on core values.
Set clear expectations and career goals, aiming for long-term retention (e.g., three years).

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What does semi-absentee ownership actually mean? Is it possible in a franchise setting, or is it a myth?

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In this episode, Erik talks to his business partners, Luke Jacobson and Terry Rackley from StretchLab, who share their journey as franchisees and business partners.

They discuss the importance of finding the right franchise opportunity and the myths surrounding semi-absentee franchising. They emphasize the need for speed in opening new locations and the challenges of finding and retaining good employees.

Luke and Terry also discuss their partnership with Erik, who serves as their business consultant and advisor. The partners also highlight their organizational skills and the importance of building a strong team.

In essence, the conversation covers topics such as the support system provided by the franchisor, the importance of trial and error, the role of aggressive organization in managing the business, the focus on employee development and retention, the relationship between franchisees and the franchisor, and the significance of business partnerships.

“Unless you're already a multi-millionaire, I don't think absentee ownership exists. I don't think you'll have the right attitude if you go into this saying, “Hey, I just wanna throw money at something as an investment.” You're gonna have to put in blood, sweat, and lots and lots of tears.” - Luke Jacobson

In This Episode:

- Luke's background and how he got into franchising

- Terry's background and how he met Luke and Erik

- How Luke and Terry became business partners

- The importance of speed in opening new locations

- Erik's role in the partnership

- Why leadership and organizational skills matter in business

- Critical factors in running a successful business

- Is absentee ownership a myth?

- What comes to mind when you hear the term top franchisees?

- What does a healthy franchisee-franchisor relationship look like?

- Why is aggressive organization necessary when managing a business?