Why Culture Driven Franchisee Groups Are the Ones Worth Building | Mike LaRue

Why Culture-Driven Franchisee Groups Are the Ones Worth Building With

In franchising, the word “culture” gets thrown around a lot.

It’s printed in slide decks. It’s featured in sizzle reels. It’s spoken with conviction on Discovery Days. But let’s be honest—there’s a big difference between talking about culture and building a business that lives and breathes it.

At Angry Chickz, we’ve developed a clear philosophy around whom we partner with:

We don’t just look for franchisee groups who mention culture—we look for those who embody it.

Because when you’re building something special—something that stands apart—culture isn’t a line in a mission statement. It’s the standard. It shows up in who you hire, how you lead, and what kind of energy your team brings to the shift. It’s in the way Team Leaders welcome guests, how the store shows up in the community—especially when there’s no camera and no one watching.

Bottom line: The way you treat your people is the way your people will treat your guests.

The franchisee groups we’re most aligned with don’t just care about top-line growth. They care about the hearts and habits of the people helping them get there. They understand the simple (but often overlooked) truth:

Great guest experiences are born out of great team experiences.

And when done consistently and with intention?

The results speak for themselves.

The Misconception: Scale = Culture

There’s a common myth in franchising: that multi-unit experience automatically means you’re a great franchisee.

And sure—experience matters. Knowing how to scale operations, manage P&Ls, and grow responsibly are all part of the job. But that doesn’t mean you know how to build culture.

Because scaling and leading are not the same thing.

We’ve met operators who run tight, efficient businesses. They optimize labor models. They hit their numbers. They can manage a portfolio. But ask them:

• How do you invest in frontline leadership?

• How are you coaching that 19-year-old team member into a future GM?

• How does your culture show up inside the four walls?

…And you might get blank stares—or worse, buzzwords.

Culture is not a slogan. It’s a behavior.

And behavior—when repeated—compounds.

If a group doesn’t lead with culture, it shows.

And if they do?

It shines.

Culture Is the Differentiator (Even When You Can’t See It)

The tricky thing about culture?

You can’t always see it on a spreadsheet or in an LOI.

But walk into a restaurant that has it—and you feel it instantly.

It’s the extra greeting when a guest walks through the door.

It’s the shift lead who takes the initiative before being asked.

It’s the way the team rallies during a slammed dinner rush.

It’s the pride in how the space looks, smells, and runs.

The vibe is on point—and it’s contagious.

Culture is the differentiator you can’t always measure… but you always notice.

And it’s what separates enduring brands from seasonal ones.

Culture is usually what kills a legacy brand.

It’s also what saves or revives one.

Because while a marketing campaign might create a temporary spike, only culture builds consistency. And consistency? That’s the foundation of brand trust—and sustainable growth.

Why We Start with “Who” Before “How Many”

Our development approach is simple:

We don’t evaluate franchisees just based on the number of units.

We look at the number of people they’ve grown.

• How many Area Directors have you developed from within?

• How many Team Leaders started as cashiers?

• How often is your leadership team in the field—not because they have to, but because they want to?
  

We look for franchisee groups who ask the right questions:

• “How do we develop our next leader?”

• “How do we build a bench that can run through a wall for our guests?”

• “How do we stay connected to what’s really happening in-store?”

Because if a franchisee understands that how they show up for their team—and how they show up in their community—is directly tied to business results?

Then we’re already speaking the same language.

The ROI of People-First

Some treat “people-first” like a nice-to-have concept in a numbers-driven business.

Let’s be clear: culture has ROI.

Brands that invest in people and community see:

• Lower turnover

• Higher employee engagement

• Stronger guest loyalty

  
  

A 2022 Gallup study found that companies with highly engaged teams enjoy 21% greater profitability. That’s not a vibe—that’s math.

In our best restaurants, team members aren’t just clocking in.

They’re showing up with purpose.

And guests feel that.

They post about their visit. They bring friends. They come back again.

That’s the real value of a people-first culture: guests don’t just remember the hot chicken or the Angry Mac—they remember how the team made them feel.

When Culture Is Real, It Replicates

Some brands just feel different—and that’s not by accident.

• The service is more intentional.

• The pace is sharper.

• The smiles? They’re real.
  

That’s what happens when culture is led from the top.

When franchisees lead with culture, it trickles down—and it replicates.

A well-led cashier becomes a shift lead.

That shift lead becomes a Team Leader.

That Team Leader becomes a District Manager.

And maybe—one day—that DM becomes a franchise partner themselves.

This is how you build not just a business—but a movement.

A brand that grows without losing its soul.

And when you layer in incentives like profit sharing and ownership opportunities?

That team member doesn’t just see a job.

They see a future.

Final Thought: Culture Isn’t a Tactic. It’s a Standard.

At the end of the day, we don’t see culture as a tactic.

We see it as a standard—a non-negotiable.

It shows up in how we hire.

How we train.

How we lead.

How we grow.

So when we sit across from a potential franchisee, we’re not just listening for restaurant acumen.

We’re listening for emotional intelligence. For leadership instincts. For shared values.

We’re looking for operators who believe what we believe:

Take care of your people, and your people will take care of your guests.

Because in this business, service matters.

But the people behind the service?

They matter more.

And when you get the people part right?

Everything else follows.