Why Most Franchise Leaders Fail & How to Lead Differently w/ Adam Contos

What if the real differentiator between thriving franchise brands and struggling ones comes down to two simple traits: humility and hunger?

In this episode, Adam Contos, a high-performance leadership expert, former CEO of RE/MAX, and a leading voice in the franchise industry joins us for a conversation that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what truly drives franchise success. From his early days in the Marine Corps reserves and law enforcement to leading one of the most recognized franchise brands in the world, Adam brings the kind of clarity leaders desperately need right now.

Adam breaks down why risk-taking is non-negotiable, how leaders unknowingly sabotage progress, and why decision-making, not perfection, is the real engine of growth. He also shares what most franchisors get wrong when communicating with their networks, how to build A-player teams, and why visibility isn’t optional if you want your franchisees to trust you. This is leadership without fluff: direct, grounded, and immediately applicable.

Whether you're scaling an emerging brand, rebuilding systems, or trying to develop stronger leaders inside your organization, this episode gives you a clear look at the habits, decisions, and mindset shifts that actually move a franchise system forward. You’ll walk away with a sharper mindset, clearer priorities, and a better understanding of what leadership actually requires.

Connect with Adam:

Website: https://www.adamcontos.com/

Franchise Membership Community: https://yourfranchisegroup.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Why risk tolerance separates winning brands from stagnant ones
  
  
• The biggest leadership blind spots founders don’t see coming
  
  
• Adam’s simple 3–2–1 decision-making framework
  
  
• What “founder syndrome” looks like inside a franchise system
  
  
• How visibility builds trust at scale
  
  
• Why tech adoption is always a challenge and what to do about it
  
  
• The real job of a franchisor (according to Adam)
  
  
• When and how to upgrade talent without guilt
  
  
• Why humility accelerates leadership growth
  
  
• How to develop leaders who can replace you

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [e-mail]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [e-mail]