In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Nic Leland from Front Street to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors in franchise development.
Nic doesn’t just help people say yes to franchises — he helps them say no when it’s not the right fit. His journey from a would-be doctor to a franchise advisor reveals the human side of franchising, identity, risk, and making the right call for your future.
Whether you're thinking of buying a franchise, already in the game, or part of a sales team, this is the raw, real, and radically honest episode you need to hear.
👀 You’ll learn:
-Why being approved for a franchise isn't automatic
-The importance of identity, purpose, and fit in business
-What makes someone NOT ready for entrepreneurship
-How great developers protect founders and franchisees
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – “Don’t buy that business”: The best franchise advice you’ll ever hear
01:38 – Why this isn’t just another franchise development episode
02:46 – From med school rejection to franchise leadership: Nic’s origin story
04:59 – The gamble that changed Nic’s life: Joining Front Street
07:22 – Letting go of your career identity — and finding the right one
09:46 – How identity and fear play into franchise buying decisions
12:04 – What Nic would tell his younger self (and why lifestyle matters)
17:54 – The early days of Front Street and why it’s not about volume
22:10 – Helping people walk away: The real job of a great franchise dev
23:59 – The “Why vs Why Not” list that every franchisee should make
30:42 – How Front Street decides when to not approve a candidate
39:00 – Broker vs website leads: Why the origin of the lead matters
43:41 – What makes a 10/10 franchise consultant vs a 1/10
46:36 – How Nic reviews applications — and what the numbers reveal
50:30 – Building wealth vs spending income: What franchisee finances tell you
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Join the free Facebook group: franchisesecrets.com/facebook
Learn more at: scalablefranchise.com
Want to work with Front Street? Reach out at frontstreetequitypartners.com
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/
📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/
👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/
💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/
Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Leadership