What happens when a corporate franchising executive leaves the boardroom to build his own empire?Meet Jon Steward – the “Franchise Lover.” After 25+ years in franchising, including 17 years in senior operations roles with Dairy Queen, Great Clips, and Planet Fitness, Jon traded his corporate suit for ownership. Today, he’s a multi-brand franchisee running 14 Mosquito Shield territories in South Jersey.
What happens when a corporate franchising executive leaves the boardroom to build his own empire?
Meet Jon Steward – the “Franchise Lover.” After 25+ years in franchising, including 17 years in senior operations roles with Dairy Queen, Great Clips, and Planet Fitness, Jon traded his corporate suit for ownership. Today, he’s a multi-brand franchisee running 14 Mosquito Shield territories in South Jersey.
Jon has helped hundreds of franchisees open, grow, and sell their businesses. He knows franchising from both sides of the table—franchisor and franchisee. A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the IFA, Jon even published research on franchise relationship dynamics, proving that social exchange is just as critical as financial exchange for long-term success.
👉 This episode is your blueprint for escaping the 9–5 and building a legacy franchise portfolio that creates generational wealth.
This episode is sponsored by SEO Samba – Predictable results. AI-driven franchise marketing.
00:00 – Welcome & why Jon is the Franchise Lover
02:20 – From Dairy Queen to Planet Fitness: corporate franchise career
09:00 – How Jon scaled into 14 Mosquito Shield territories
13:15 – Corporate job vs. franchise wealth (why legacy beats salary)
17:40 – Success secrets: following systems & learning from top franchisees
22:25 – Validation calls – the #1 step most people skip
27:50 – Acquisition vs. starting fresh: the truth revealed
33:40 – Why Mosquito Shield is a high-margin, semi-absentee business
38:05 – Marketing power moves: how to keep scaling
42:50 – Networking, conventions & leveraging franchise peers
47:10 – Inside 5 Star Franchising: support, resources & buying power
52:15 – Jon’s best advice for corporate employees “on the fence”
56:00 – Final thoughts: Don’t lust after a brand, find your perfect fit
🔥 Ready to find YOUR franchise fit?
👉 Schedule your free consultation with Lance Graulich:
https://www.ionfranchising.com/consultation.asp
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