1851 Growth Club

In the world of business, success is often likened to a marathon rather than a sprint. This analogy holds particularly true in the complex and dynamic realm of franchising. For many, the path to success in the franchise industry is paved with dedication, resilience and a commitment to transparency and integrity. That is the mission of The 1851 Growth Club , an organization that has emerged as a beacon of honesty and value in the franchising landscape.

The story of the 1851 Growth Club begins when its CEO, Nick Powills , found himself immersed in the world of franchising quite by chance. Unlike many others in the industry, franchising was not a predetermined destiny or a family tradition. Instead, it was a passionate affair that began with a profound fascination for franchise owners .

“It amazed me how these individuals would invest their life savings into a venture over which they had limited control,” said Powills. “I interviewed these franchisees, each sharing their unique journeys: their previous occupations, their initial investment in their business, the challenges they faced in growing and scaling, and, eventually, their exit strategies.”

Franchise industry growth

As time passed, Powills’ involvement in franchising expanded beyond storytelling and content generation. It became apparent that there was more to be done to positively impact the world of franchising.

“Although it took considerable time to reach our current milestone, I've learned that success in business is not about sprinting to the finish line but enduring the marathon,” said Powills.

Today, as CEO of Mainland* and 1851 Franchise, Powills has in-depth experience elevating brands by bridging public relations, social media, marketing, advertising, digital and a lot of creativity to best strategize well-rounded, successful campaigns for global franchise brands. By presenting visionary ideas and building real relationships, Mainland is able to create effective media branding strategies to help companies grow. Powills currently leads a staff of writers, media strategists, designers, social media experts and digital producers in an office think tank where brands are humanized for strong, compelling media stories.

Growth club mission

After a long and determined journey, the 1851 Growth Club was officially launched earlier this year. Its mission? To infuse transparency, integrity and honesty into franchising.

“In searching the web, I found a noticeable lack of best practices in franchising,” said Powills. “No organization seemed dedicated to promoting the industry with honesty, transparency, and integrity. This void inspired the creation of the 1851 Growth Club.”

The Growth Club recognized that franchising could only thrive when candidates, brokers and franchisors operated with clarity and fairness.

Member benefits

For aspiring franchise candidates , the 1851 Growth Club offers honest feedback on suitable franchise opportunities. There's no bias towards brands that offer higher commissions; instead, the focus is on matching candidates with franchises that make sense for them. This ensures that candidates enter the world of franchising with their eyes wide open.

For brokers, the 1851 Growth Club acknowledges that they play a crucial role in the franchising ecosystem and provides tools and resources to help them succeed. By educating them about the intricacies of financial transactions, they empower brokers to make informed decisions and guide their clients effectively.

For franchisors , The Growth Club combines the expertise of 1851franchise.com , their publication and content marketing solutions, and their consultancy services, in order to help them navigate the complex landscape of franchise growth. Their approach is inclusive and driven by the desire to add value to the industry.

Above all, the 1851 Growth Club stands as a beacon of transparency, integrity and honesty in the franchising world.

“The 1851 Growth Club's design and purpose are centered on benefiting the franchising industry as a whole,” said Powills. “Our approach is inclusive; we abstain from politics and exclusionary tactics, striving instead to deliver value to the community and prospective franchise operators.”

In the world of franchising, success is not measured by quick gains but by the long and steady journey towards transparency and integrity. The 1851 Growth Club invites all those who share this commitment to join them on this marathon.