Many aspiring business owners ask a single, deceptively simple question: “What is the best franchise to buy?” 🤔 Dave and Stacey explain why this question often leads to confusion, frustration, and often poor decisions. Drawing from real-world franchise consulting experience, they outline a more effective, human-centered approach to choosing the right franchise.
Why There Is No “Best” Franchise
The central message of the video is clear: there is no universally best franchise ❌. What works perfectly for one person may be completely wrong for another. Factors such as lifestyle goals, financial capacity, personal strengths, emotional drivers, and long-term vision all influence whether a franchise is a good fit.
Searching online or asking AI tools for “the best franchise” often produces generic, brand-driven answers. These answers typically highlight well-known names but ignore whether those businesses align with an individual’s reality.
The Limits of AI and Online Searches 🤖
Dave and Stacey caution against relying solely on AI tools like ChatGPT or general Google searches when making franchise decisions. While AI can provide surface-level information, it has critical limitations:
It may give different answers to the same question
It focuses on facts, not emotions or motivation
It cannot challenge assumptions or explore deeper personal trade-offs
It tends to be overly positive and non-committal
Franchise ownership is not just a logical decision—it is an emotional and lifestyle decision as well.
Start With Your “Why” 🎯
Instead of asking what franchise to buy, the better question is why you want to own a business? Dave and Stacey describe their framework built around multiple dimensions—often referred to as their “Eight Fs”—that help candidates uncover true motivations.
These may include:
Desired lifestyle and time freedom
Income goals and financial security
Family priorities
Personal fulfillment and purpose
Without clarity on the “why,” it’s easy to choose a business that looks attractive but ultimately creates burnout or regret.
Lifestyle Fit vs. Business Reality ⚠️
A powerful example from the episode involves someone who loves donuts and wants to open a donut franchise. On the surface, it sounds logical. But when lifestyle goals—such as traveling more or coaching a child’s sports team—are considered, the reality of running a seven-day-a-week food operation no longer fits.
This mismatch is one of the most common reasons franchise owners become unhappy.
The Value of Human Franchise Advisors 🤝
The video emphasizes the importance of working with experienced franchise consultants who act as matchmakers. Unlike algorithms, humans can:
Ask emotionally driven questions
Identify unrealistic expectations
Vet territory availability
Filter out brands that don’t align with goals
Dave and Stacey describe a structured, nine-step franchise roadmap designed to save candidates time, money, and frustration.
Choosing a franchise is not about chasing the most popular brand or the highest projected income 💰. It is about alignment—between the business, the lifestyle you want, and the person you are.
The key takeaway here is simple but powerful: the best franchise is the one that fits you.
What's Your Next? - Podcast
 | Author BioI’m Stacey Riska aka “Small Business Stacey”, your franchise placement specialist. I help aspiring business owners find the PERFECT franchise so they can get to the next level in life and business. |
