---
title: About | Johnny Franchise
description: I have over 30 years of real-world, first-hand experience in franchising businesses, having been a Franchisor, Franchisee and Supplier, with multiple brands.
---
[.png)](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/?hsLang=en)
- [Franchise Lifecycle](https://pages.johnnyfranchise.com/the-franchise-lifecycle-program?hsLang=en)
- About
- [Franchise Expert](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/about)
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- [Reviews](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/reviews/?hsLang=en)
- Speaking
- [Franchise Speaking](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/franchise-speaker?hsLang=en)
- [For Meeting Planners](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/for-meeting-planners?hsLang=en)
- [Contact](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/contact?hsLang=en)
- [Blog](https://blog.johnnyfranchise.com?hsLang=en)
- [Top 10 Tips](https://pages.johnnyfranchise.com/top-10-tips-for-franchisee-success?hsLang=en)
### THE FRANCHISE EXPERT
John Francis is an enthusiastic, engaging, and entertaining public speaker, advisor and coach because he speaks from experience and he speaks from the heart. Franchising is in his blood, and his parents were true pioneers in the industry, turning their family haircutting business into a 1,000-salon franchise empire. He has been a franchisee and a franchisor, and has a deep understanding of the issues both face. Engage with John and you and your franchisees will learn how to look at your business in new, positive, and profitable ways.
## MY LIFE IN FRANCHISING
- 1968
- 1969-1973
- 1975-1980
- 1990
- 1992
- 1999
- 2001
- 2003
- 2008
- 2009
- 2011-2013
- 2014 - Today
### 1968
 I begin my career as a male model at the age of 1. That’s my dad, Joe Francis, behind me, a master of P.R. for his The Barbers salons.
### 1969-1973
 I continue getting modeling jobs for the Barbers. Is it because I work for free?
### The Barbers grows and develops
 “The Barbers” develops into a national brand and franchise system.
### 1990
 I begin working in the family business in my 20s, learning the ropes by taking on roles in every aspect of the franchise system. By now, The Barbers, Inc. is the International Franchisors of Cost Cutters, City Looks, and We Care Hair salons.
### 1992 Russian Group
 The Francis family journeys to Russia and France to open franchise salons internationally. Things take an unexpected turn when a political coup erupts in Moscow.We also signed an international Master Franchisee based in Paris.
### 1999
With my family, and our corporate team, I play a key role in the sale of The Barbers, Inc. to Regis Corporation.
### 2001
 I become an Area Franchisee / Developer for PostNet in the upper Midwest, opening 17 stores from 2001 to 2011. As a Multi-Unit Franchisee, I served on their Advisory Council and as Chairman in 2007, and worked at Corporate HQ as “Strategic Business Advisor” until April 2013.
### 2003
 Named to the Minneapolis Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of notable young entrepreneurs.
### 2008
 Named “PostNet Franchisee of the Year”Recognized as the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) “Franchisee of the Year”
### Sport Clips – Board of Directors
 I joined the Sport Clips Board of Directors in early 2009, and enjoy serving the ownership and leadership team there.
### Board Member and Advisor
 In recent years, I’ve worked with other franchise brands as an advisor and Board Member, helping the owners and management get where they want to go – systems include : Sport Clips, PostNet, Office Pride, Big Frog T-Shirts, Seva Beauty, and others.
### “Johnny Franchise” to the franchise industry
 Now, I’m continuing my focus on helping others with their franchise businesses, working independently and making an impact where I find the opportunity to do so – as an Advisor, Board Member, Consultant and Speaker. August 2021 - Received very first ZorForum Franchise!
## RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
### Awarded The OFFICE PRIDE Integrity Award - September 2023
## PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
### Active Member of IFA since the late 1980’s. [www.franchise.org](https://franchise.org)
#### IFA Membership Committee, Member 2003 to present
#### IFA FranShip Mentor, 2011 to present
#### IFA Board of Directors, Member 2007- 2008 and 2009 - 2011 (two terms)
#### IFA Executive Committee, Member 2008
#### IFA Franchisee Forum, Chairman 2008
#### IFA Franchisee Forum, Vice Chair 2007
#### IFA’s Franchisee of the Year 2008
### **Area Franchisee and Multi-Unit Owner of PostNet 2001-2013**
#### Promoted and developed 17 new locations in MN and WI, with service and support, as well as owned and sold a variety of PostNet stores on my own in the Twin Cities.
#### Served on the Advisory Council from 2002 to 2004, re-elected in 2005 and served as Chairman in 2007.
#### Served as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee
#### Launched Franchisee Peer Group program
#### Pioneer Award 2001
#### Presidents Award 2003
#### Presidents Award 2005
#### Advisory Council Leadership Award 2006
#### Franchisee of the Year 2007
#### Worked with Franchisor as Strategic Business Advisor from 2011 to 2013
- ##### [**Minneapolis Business Journal: 40 under 40, May 2003 (Link)**](https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2003/05/12/daily43.html)
- ##### [**Board of Directors, Sport Clips Haircuts, May 2009 to current (Link)**](https://www.franchisetimes.com/May-2016/Stakes-rise-for-Sport-Clips-heir/)
- Board of Advisors, Big Frog Franchise Group, July 2014 – Present
- ##### Board of Advisors, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, November 2016 – Present
- ##### Board of Advisors, Just Between Friends Franchise System, Inc., July 2017 – Present
- ##### Board of Advisors, Wisdom Senior Care Franchise, October 2023 - Present
- Board of Advisors, DivaDance Franchise, November 2023 - Present
- Board of Advisors, Nautical Bowls, January 2024 - Present
## HOW I CAN HELP
**I am not your average Franchise Advisor, Speaker or Consultant.** I have over 30 years of real-world, first-hand experience in franchising businesses, having been a Franchisor, Franchisee and Supplier, with multiple brands. With more wins than losses, my goal is to help others achieve meaningful success that benefits everyone.
**I help franchisor executives and franchise owners reduce risks and improve results by providing level-headed expertise.**
My approach is to take the time to get familiar and connect with my clients. I like to know the situation and context and personalities involved in any business. I’m known for being a good listener, and asking good questions, then offering thoughtful advice and typically a range of options for my clients to consider as possibilities. I like to help other people do their job better, rather than doing the work for them – more of a coach or advisor.
I can offer you my **“Franchise Lifecycle” program** as a video series, also as a Keynote speaker at your brand annual conference, and coaching time one on one. Also, I have developed a niche for creating new Advisory Boards to help owners with improved decision making, managing risk and increased accountability structure in their organizations. Working as a consultant to set up a new board, help improve an existing board, and sometimes serving on the board to help it be effective.
[Schedule a Consultation](https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/schedule/?hsLang=en)
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