---
title: "Multiunit leaders fail a lot! Here’s why."
url: https://burnaze.com/article/fa819933-dbc7-4403-8dba-0d96f2adc001
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/multiunit-leaders-fail-a-lot-heres-why-2718454
category: "Operations"
topics: ["Operations"]
published: 2022-04-19T15:10:01.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:12:10.721Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/f09ed4dce9d2c016e503660174a4f9f16109.jpg
---

# Multiunit leaders fail a lot! Here’s why.

**TL;DR:** Multiunit leaders often fail due to lack of experience, poor communication, and inadequate support. Dan Anfinson, COO at MH Restaurant Group, shares his perspective on why multiunit leaders fail and what they need to succeed.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2022-04-19. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/multiunit-leaders-fail-a-lot-heres-why-2718454).*

## Story

Too frequently, extremely talented General Managers earn a promotion to District Manager/Multiunit Leader. And interestingly, despite how qualified and well-suited for the position they may seem, they actually fail in this new role instead of thrive.

This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with Dan Anfinson, COO at MH Restaurant Group.

They are one of the largest franchise developers of First Watch Daytime Café. Additionally, they are the majority owners of a concept called Slapfish, a modern seafood shack. Dan has been in a multiunit leadership role for several years and is very passionate about the impact a multiunit leader plays in an organization.

On today’s show, Dan weighs in on why multiunit leaders fail and provides his perspective on what they need to do to have success!

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- General (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- leadership development (topic)
- First Watch (company)
- multi-unit leadership (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/multiunit-leaders-fail-a-lot-heres-why-2718454). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/fa819933-dbc7-4403-8dba-0d96f2adc001).