A Week in My Life as a Franchise Owner

For one week, I documented how I have spent my time in my franchise business in order to provide you with a real-life example of what owning a semi-passive business can look like—at least once it’s established.

Disclaimer: Every franchise owner’s experience will differ. Time commitments vary based on the business model, the owner’s role, and the stage of the business. I’ve owned my business for several years, and this was not my reality when we were just starting out. Please don’t interpret this as a guarantee for your results. This week just offers a glimpse of what’s possible in a semi-passive model.

Here’s how my week shaped up:

Monday

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM Reviewed weekend sales, analyzed financials, and created a labor and inventory budget for the week using a simple template. Time spent: ~20 min

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Ran payroll. I could delegate this, but staying involved in the numbers keeps me connected to the business. Time spent: ~15 min

11:05 AM – 11:10 AM Quick call with my manager to discuss implementing a new special developed by corporate. Time spent: ~5 min

12:58 PM – 1:02 PM Guided a delivery driver to our location over the phone. Time spent: ~4 min

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Reviewed the inventory spreadsheet updated weekly by my manager. Time spent: ~15 min

Total time Monday: ~1 hour

Tuesday

8:30 AM – 11:15 AM Visited the business to manage cash, prepare a bank deposit, and discuss staffing updates with my manager. Included ~1 hour of round-trip driving and a bank stop. Time spent: ~2 hours, 45 min

Wednesday

1:45 PM – 1:55 PM Texted with my manager about cleaning projects, prioritizing tasks, and setting deadlines. Time spent: ~10 min

2:30 PM – 3:05 PM Interviewed a potential employee. Hiring could be delegated, but I like being accountable for building the team. Time spent: ~35 min

8:30 PM – 8:55 PM Placed inventory orders—something I’m transitioning to delegate but currently manage myself. Time spent: ~25 min

Thursday

10:00 AM – 10:25 AM Conducted another employee interview. Hiring is busier than usual with college-aged staff leaving for winter break or graduation. Time spent: ~25 min

2:05 PM – 2:10 PM Checked in with my manager to confirm inventory delivery was received and stored properly. Time spent: ~5 min

Friday

9:13 AM – 9:16 AM Received and paid an invoice over the phone from an equipment servicer. Time spent: ~3 min

Total Time Spent This Week: ~5 hours, 35 minutes

What Didn’t Come Up This Week

Here are tasks I often spend time on but didn’t this week:

• Brainstorming and executing marketing initiatives
• Meetings or communication with the Franchisor’s corporate team (typically a monthly call)
• Preparing financial records for my accountant (monthly)

Reflection

Running a franchise that leverages systems and teams allows me to stay in control of my time while building wealth and maintaining a flexible lifestyle.

Are there weeks when things require more attention? Of course—especially if there’s an issue or major decision. But with a strong team in place, these situations are rare and manageable.

Your Takeaway

If you’re looking for a business model that supports flexibility while generating wealth, franchising might be the answer. It’s not without challenges, but with the right systems and people, it’s possible to design a business that works for your lifestyle.

What questions do you have about franchising? Drop them in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to share what I’ve learned and help you explore if this path is right for you!