Lessons From Franchise Executives: Chad Zani of Detail Garage

In 2017, when Chad Zani first started as the director of business development for automotive franchise Detail Garage, the brand had seen $2.5 million in sales and had only four locations. Over the next four years, Zani utilized in-depth marketing and social media expertise to help the brand expand to 76 stores and $42 million in company-wide sales.

When it comes to the advice Zani would have for his younger self when he was just starting to grow in the franchising world, he says it would be about knowing how to give franchisees the support they need, without growing too attached or overprotective.

“I would tell myself not to get so personally and emotionally involved in the success of franchise owners because it has created a lot of frustration for me,” said Zani. “Franchisees need to have a supportive team around them, but you can’t be everything for everyone. Instead, the brand should have the infrastructure and systems in place to properly support franchisees. Successful franchisees create successful franchisors.”