Episode#52

Greg Nathan is recognised as a global authority and thought leader on the psychology of franchising, and notably to many, on the franchisee-franchisor relationship. 

In 35+ years of researching the science of successful franchise relations, Greg and his team have developed widely used, world-leading tools and models in franchising.

In Episode#52 - An interest in Psychology and completing a degree and Masters in this, a PhD was next. Working in a bread shop to make money while at uni lead to a career defining change as a franchise business owner, all after becoming disillusioned with Psychology and it's rigidity.

Greg was writing a lot of letters to the franchisor about doing better, believing they did not know what they were doing, and as result, was eventually asked to work in corporate, selling his franchise.

Years of learning about franchise relationships happened in that environment, and when it came to an end, Greg was encouraged to educate and write.

A global-leading position in franchise Psychology and education was never the grand plan, yet it evolved over time. 

Greg's story is one of passion and a strong desire to leave a lasting legacy on the franchise sector and in helping franchise business owners in particular.

0:00 Intro

0:18 Organisational Psychologist or Franchise Psychologist?

0:47 Didn’t start in franchising, where it all began

1:28 Finding Psychology

1:51 Disillusioned with the course as too scientific

2:58 Need to earn money while in Uni so worked in a bakery and an introduction to franchising

5:08 Not enjoying psychology so went into business with a partner as a franchisee

5:49 What the plan was initially and leaving academia and putting his heart and soul into running the business

7:26 Perceiving that the franchisor didn’t know what they were doing so started writing letters to them

8:16 Not finishing the PhD but maybe going back one day

8:38 Starting working for the franchisor and the transition out of being a franchisee, what this change was like

11:55 Be real in your dealings with people - be yourself

12:32 False confidence in the corporate world and trusting his own judgement 

14:34 Getting sacked for questioning decision making of leaders and having his job back next day 

16:06 A role in marketing and operations and the business getting into trouble and Greg being required to sack half of the office

17:22 What Greg observed went wrong with this successful bakery franchise

18:43 After 4-5 years Brumby’s handed over to franchisees and Greg was exhausted after the challenges of previous years

19:02 Knowing franchising inside out and thinking of how his psychology background could interplay 

20:04 Greg’s first workshop on franchise relationships and starting to run some courses

21:27 Franchise Relationships just evolved and was not a grand plan in franchise education

21:55 Getting his first client, how that happened and what that was like

23:07 The prompting and inspiration to write ‘profitable Partnerships’ book after complaints from unhappy franchisees 

24:28 Best-selling book, Profitable Partnership evolved over 10 years and company said a book on franchise relationships ‘wouldn’t sell’ 

27:37 Making a difference, and how that book has helped Greg to do that

29:29 How has franchising changed since he wrote Profitable Partnerships? 

30:31 Where Greg’s business is now, and the next steps

32:05 The future of franchising and where Greg sees it

33:43 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: magnetic business media

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