Source: Franchise Times, February 28, 2011, by Nancy Weingartner

Link: Original Story As Published On Franchise Times

A story that recently caught our attention as franchise consultants, had to do with Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player who not only made a name for himself on the basketball court, but has continued to shine in the business world through franchising.

Bridgeman played for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers until his retirement in 1987. Some might say that’s where the real work began as he built his fortune in the restaurant business.

Always looking over his shoulder while playing to life after basketball, he literally hit the business floor running by purchasing a handful of Wendy’s franchise restaurants. His holding company, Manna Inc, now operates more than 160 Wendy’s stores and well over 100 Chili’s restaurants.

However, a staggering $507 million in revenue doesn’t come without hard work and an understanding that in the restaurant franchising business, hands-on experience and a love of people are key.

In fact, Bridgeman has passed his tireless work ethic on to his children both at home and in the business world. Each of the three are determined to make their mark the same way, with focused determination and hands-on experience.

As most franchise consultants will confirm, franchising is hard work. However, the payoff both in dollars and job satisfaction can be literally unlimited, as Bridgeman has shown over the years. In fact, he recently made the comment that being a franchisee isn’t like sitting on the basketball bench and collecting a paycheck. In fact, a franchisor can only train you how to run a restaurant. Learning to run a business just might take more.

According to Junior, learning how to run a business means getting the hands dirty at the lowest levels as he often has with 12-14 hour days and tours at the cash register in the early days. In fact, his children have never been immune to cleaning bathrooms in the family business. Learning a franchise business from the ground up includes time on the clock at all positions for many, especially the Bridgeman family.

Certainly, both customers and employees can be both challenging and stressful. However, Bridgeman still claims that people make the difference….they can be both the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. His son, Justin, claims that he loves the entire experience of people coming together around food…it’s what “makes life” for him.

Justin also loves the unique challenge of growing a franchise business, particularly, the problem solving aspect of operations. In most cases, individual franchise operators might not be able to say, alter a menu, but they can certainly alter a location’s atmosphere to help grow the business.

Speaking of people, teamwork in franchising has not only served the Bridgemans to date, but when the three children eventually do take over the business Junior has built it will remain a vital part of the succession plan. Each has already identified a role to focus on, and each recognizes the other siblings strength in the business long term.

Aside from their recognition of each other from marketing to operations, rewards with employee interaction remain key. Bridgeman believes that you hire good people, give them a vision, jobs and opportunities….the satisfaction of the entire process far outweighs the resulting money for him.

Running a franchise business for Bridgeman has been a lifestyle that has obviously touched his family as they continue to move forward. Someday, the Bridgeman kids will take their father’s passion and work ethic on without him. Until then, he’s having too much fun.

If you would like to speak with one of our franchise consultants today, please don’t hesitate to call (706) 356-5637!