From Brothers-In-Law to Business Partners: The Team Growing Footprints Floors in Charlotte

Brandon McBrier is no stranger to franchising, having worked with his family's chain of Little Caesars Pizza franchises and a Dickey’s BBQ Pit. He bought his first Footprints Floors territory in November 2018, after a conversation with his brother-in-law, Bryan Park, who is the CEO of the company.

McBrier identified Charlotte as the ideal spot to relocate, citing its ranking as the third fastest-growing city in the U.S. He has already opened his first territory in Charlotte and is using the profits to open a second territory in South Charlotte.

• He has several years of experience in franchising, which has helped him navigate the process of buying and running a Footprints Floors territory.
• His family owns a chain of 20 Little Caesars Pizza franchises between Erie and Cleveland, and they also opened a Dickey’s BBQ Pit in Erie.
• McBrier has a strong background in customer service and quality products, which he believes are essential for success in franchising.

Brandon McBrier: I’m originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, and I graduated from the University of Colorado. I lived in Denver for a little over a decade. My wife and I moved back to Erie six years ago and joined the restaurant business.

McBrier's family has been in the franchise food industry for 15 years with Little Caesars and Dickey’s. He has enjoyed the restaurant industry and learned the value of customer service and a quality product.

McBrier: Franchising provided my family with a way to make a living, and I see it as a way to take a proven business model to the next level with the skills I have.

• He developed several cost analysis spreadsheets and the data lined up.
• McBrier wanted a brand that could thrive in a metropolitan area, with a manageable upfront cost compared to his past experiences in the restaurant industry.

McBrier: I didn’t have a lot of ideas on the table at the time. I never thought about joining a flooring franchise until I met Bryan. I wanted a brand that could thrive in a metropolitan area, with a manageable upfront cost compared to my past experiences in the restaurant industry.

McBrier was drawn to Footprints Floors because of its strong CEO, Bryan Park, who is also a franchise owner. He saw the potential for growth and was excited about the opportunity to learn from someone who is involved in both the franchisor and franchisee side.

McBrier: After I sold my Erie and Cleveland Footprint Floors territories, the brand allowed us to relocate to Charlotte in January 2020. I have my eyes set on a third territory in the Columbia, South Carolina region.

• Once you add that third territory, you’re able to grow the business and take on more employees.
• The main goal is to do $1.5 million in business.

McBrier: Charlotte is a beautiful area with many old and modern homes that are heavily wooded. It’s a growing city too — the population is supposed to surge 47% from where it was in 2010 to 2030.

• Our model is created in a way that I can scale up and double the size of the business, but still keep it personal.
• I pride myself on the calm, helpful relationships we create with our clients.

McBrier: When you buy into a franchise, you pay a royalty fee. Therefore, any business you’re buying into should create a strong return on your investment.

• The biggest factor is buying a franchise you’re passionate about.
• For me, it goes back to my conversation with Bryan. There’s a calmness to him and with the whole corporate team that was reassuring.

McBrier: I like to go out to Colorado and Utah and ski in the mountains. I also have two young kids, my wife and I love to go on adventures with them.

• My wife and I are also fluent in Spanish, as we lived abroad in Chile and other parts of South America.
• We love the Latin culture and many of my workers are of Latin descent so I’m able to speak to them fluently.