S1Ep226 Mastering Scalable Franchise Operations with Ryan Farris

Scaling a franchise network is often seen as the ultimate benchmark of success—but what happens when growth outpaces execution? For franchisors and franchisees alike, the challenge isn’t just growth, it’s sustaining scalable franchise operations that drive consistent results across locations, regions, and countries. When systems falter and support lags behind expansion, the cracks begin to show—profitability dips, brand reputation takes a hit, and momentum slows.

Ford Saeks sits down with Ryan Farris, President, COO, and Region EVP at Fortidia, who brings firsthand insight into the infrastructure, culture, and leadership required to build franchise systems that scale without sacrificing quality or performance. With experience overseeing more than 3,000 franchise locations across 50+ countries, Ryan’s perspective is rooted in operational depth and a results-driven mindset.

Execution—not ambition—is often the defining factor in whether a franchise system thrives or stalls. While organizations frequently rally around lofty mission statements, Ryan Farris points to the everyday actions that shape a brand’s culture and determine its trajectory. Systems, coaching, and accountability—not slogans—are what sustain performance. Ford Saeks and Farris highlight how many franchise brands falter when growth outpaces their ability to implement and support consistent operational standards. Without a strong foundation, scale becomes a liability rather than a strength.

Central to this discussion is what Ryan refers to as the Wheel of Excellence—a framework used to assess and support franchisees across four key pillars: marketing, sales, operations, and finance. This approach allows franchisors to diagnose strengths and weaknesses quickly, offering tailored guidance based on the needs of each owner. Ford expands on the importance of knowing where franchisees excel, where they need support, and how accountability paired with coaching can unlock system-wide success.

Scalable franchise operations are not achieved through one-size-fits-all strategies. The episode highlights the differences between owner-operators, owner-managers, and owner-CEOs, and how each stage requires a different level of systemization, delegation, and leadership. Ryan shares why the most successful franchisees are those who can clearly identify their strengths and hire to support their weaknesses—whether in marketing, finance, or day-to-day operations.

The idea that franchisees should navigate growth entirely on their own often leads to breakdowns in performance and consistency. Scalable franchise operations require more than a solid business model—they demand clear guidance, structured support, and continuous feedback. Growth without attention to unit-level economics can lead to fragile systems, where expansion masks underlying issues. Sustainable success comes from franchise systems that perform at the unit level, backed by infrastructure designed to reinforce execution at every stage.

Technology, particularly AI, emerges as a powerful enabler throughout the episode. Ryan shares how AI is being implemented across Fortidia’s portfolio of brands—from analyzing customer calls to improving lead response times and simplifying franchisee support. Rather than replacing the human element, these tools are used to create clarity, enhance training, and ensure that service quality remains high even as the network grows.

There’s a clear call for leaders to pause and examine whether their current systems truly support long-term growth. Are franchisees following the playbook? Are they receiving actionable insights that drive improvement? And most importantly—are the fundamentals being executed consistently at scale?

Mastering scalable franchise operations isn’t just about systems or strategy—it’s about alignment. Between franchisors and franchisees. Between vision and execution. Between growth and performance. With Ryan Farris brin