25. The "No Employee" Franchise Model? (Back Nine Indoor Golf Review)
Can you really run a franchise with zero employees? I analyze the Back Nine model to see if this 24/7 revenue stream is a smart investment or just hype.
⭐ INTERESTED IN FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Schedule a call with Alan today at https://athletetoowner.com/ready
🎙️ Episode 25 — In this episode of The Franchise Champion Show, Alan sits down with Darren Wilstead, Chief Development Officer for The Back Nine — one of the fastest-growing franchise systems in the country. Darren left a 13-year career in medical device sales to join a startup indoor golf concept with 15 locations. Two years later, they've signed their 440th franchisee and are expanding into Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Darren breaks down the no-employee, 24/7 model that makes this business work around a full-time job, what separates top-performing franchisees from the rest, and the creative local marketing strategies that are driving revenue growth across the system.
⏱ Video Chapters
0:00 — What Separates Top Franchisees from the Rest (Teaser)
0:34 — Welcome to The Franchise Champion Show
1:17 — From Medical Device Sales to Franchise Development
3:12 — Joining The Back Nine at 15 Locations (440 Sold Today)
3:52 — The Origin Story: Why No Employees Changes Everything
6:11 — Who Is The Back Nine Built For?
9:31 — Inside the Booking System: How 24/7 Access Works
12:07 — What Franchise Ownership Looks Like: Onboarding and Support
15:38 — Timeline: From Signing to Opening Day (About 7 Months)
16:43 — Space Requirements: Bays, Square Footage, and Real Estate
17:31 — Can You Keep Your Day Job? (Most Owners Do)
19:17 — International Expansion: Canada, UK, and Australia
22:01 — College Baseball and the Athlete Mindset in Business
25:46 — The 3 Pillars That Separate Top Franchisees
29:04 — Bay Sponsorships and Creative Local Marketing
31:05 — Closing Thoughts
🔗 Resources & Mentions
▸ The Back Nine: https://thebacknine.com
▸ Athlete to Owner Franchise Coaching: https://athletetoowner.com
▸ Schedule a free consultation: https://athletetoowner.com/ready
▸ Download "The Franchise Fit Playbook" for free: https://athletetoowner.com/playbook
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▸ Leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review if you enjoyed the episode — we appreciate your support!
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⭐ READY TO EXPLORE FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Alan helps successful professionals find the perfect franchise match and prepare for championship-level success. As a franchise coach, he works one-on-one with qualified candidates to navigate the entire franchise selection process — completely free of charge. Visit https://athletetoowner.com to get started on your path to greater autonomy, wealth, and purpose through business ownership.
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