How to Franchise Your Business as a Woman Entrepreneur
Curious about how to franchise your business as a woman entrepreneur? In episode 283 of Gratitude Geek, I chat with Brittney Lincoln, franchise strategist and founder of Females in Franchising, about what it really takes to turn your successful business into a franchise. From mindset shifts to systems thinking, Brittney shares how women can scale with purpose, empower others, and create lasting impact—without sacrificing their values or vision.
Meet Brittney Lincoln
Brittney Lincoln is a franchise strategist, connector, and founder of Females in Franchising, a platform dedicated to empowering women to succeed in the franchising world. With over 13 years of experience across industries like home services, wellness, and retail, she knows what it takes to scale a business from one location to 100.
Currently serving as VP at Limitless Franchise Growth, Brittney helps emerging founders turn strong local businesses into repeatable, scalable franchise models. She’s also a passionate community builder, committed to increasing the number of women in franchise ownership and leadership.
What You’ll Learn
- Why franchising isn’t just for big corporations—and how solopreneurs can benefit
- The 4 questions to ask before turning your business into a franchise
- How your personality and passion play a role in franchising success
- The surprising stats on women in franchising—and why that needs to change
- The difference between franchising and licensing (and which is right for you)
- How to systematize your solopreneur business like a mini-franchise
- The power of storytelling in brand growth (Wendy’s, Cheese Lady, and more)
- What franchise consultants do and why you shouldn’t buy without one
- How helping others succeed can accelerate your own business growth
- Brittney’s mission with Females in Franchising and how to get involved
Plus, we ask River, my personal AI assistant, her thoughts on the McDonald’s business model in 2025.
Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Welcome to Gratitude Geek
01:22 – Meet Brittney Lincoln: Her franchising journey
06:45 – Women in franchising: Stats & obstacles
12:10 – What makes a business franchisable?
20:35 – The Cheese Lady Case Study
28:50 – Franchise vs Licensing: Key differences
33:10 – Why systems = freedom
38:40 – Consultants & scaling with integrity
44:15 – Brittney’s moment of gratitude
Key Concepts & Roles
Franchise Consultant
A franchise consultant is like a real estate agent for aspiring franchise owners. They help match individuals with the right franchise opportunity based on personality, goals, and investment level—usually at no cost to the buyer, as they’re compensated by the franchisor.
Franchisor vs. Franchisee
A franchisor is the original business owner who creates and licenses the brand, systems, and support materials. A franchisee is the entrepreneur who invests in and runs an individual location. Franchisors must think like mentors and system-builders, while franchisees follow proven playbooks to operate successfully.
Systems Thinking
This refers to documenting repeatable processes—from marketing to operations to customer service. In franchising (and in solo businesses), systems thinking turns chaos into consistency, allowing others to replicate success without reinventing the wheel.
Franchise Fees (Royalty & Ad Fund)
Franchisees typically pay two key fees: a royalty fee (a percentage of revenue that goes back to the franchisor) and an advertising fund contribution (used for marketing efforts that benefit all franchise locations). These fees are essential for supporting and growing the entire franchise system.
Licensing vs. Franchising
Licensing is more hands-off and grants limited use of a brand’s name or product, often with minimal training or support. Franchising, on the other hand, is a structured system offering complete operations guidance and brand standards, but with more legal requirements and control.
Behind the Mic
As a solopreneur who built multiple businesses from the ground up, I’ve often wondered: what would it take to replicate success at scale—without losing the soul of the brand? Brittney Lincoln answered that with clarity and heart: systems, story, and support.
What stood out most was her reminder that franchising isn’t just about multiplying locations—it’s about multiplying impact. When a woman decides to franchise her business, she’s not just scaling profits; she’s offering others the chance to own, lead, and thrive. That’s the kind of business growth that uplifts communities.
And here’s the kicker—whether or not you ever franchise, you should still think like a franchisor. Systematize. Streamline. Document. Build in a way that someone else could step in and succeed. That’s not just business-savvy—it’s freedom.
Keep Learning from Brittney Lincoln
Resources & Mentions
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
- The Cheese Lady
- Systemology by David Jenyns
- 260: David Jenyns on the 7-Steps to Systemize Your Business
- The Social Brain by Tracey Camilleri
- Blinkist
- Circle.so
- Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s
- Ray Kroc, creator of the McDonald’s franchise
- Franchise Consultant Networks
Support the Show
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