By Taral Patel, McAlister’s Deli

As more and more Gen Z’ers enter the workforce, they are increasingly challenging the 9-5 life of corporate America and seeking out entrepreneurial endeavors. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (62 percent) said they have started or want to start their own business, according to data from WP Engine and the Center for Generational Kinetics. There are many factors fueling this rise in self-employment interest among younger generations, from high expectations of independence and autonomy to the ability to easily learn new information as a digital-first generation.

From a practical standpoint, I can confirm this trend rings true; that’s because I’m the 21-year-old franchise owner of McAlister’s Deli in London, Kentucky, the leading fast-casual restaurant franchise under the Focus Brands portfolio.

In addition to running the restaurant, I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree in finance. My business education, combined with the invaluable lessons taught to me by my third-generation hotelier family, has propelled my franchise to early success. When my team and I opened our doors in February of this year, we exceeded expectations with high opening-week sales and have been off to a strong start since.

Along with our initial achievements, we’ve overcome challenges and learned valuable lessons. Without a doubt, I’ve learned more owning and operating this franchise location than all my schooling.

In hopes of helping other fledgling franchisees in my cohort, or those considering taking the plunge, I would like to offer the keys to my success so they too can fulfill their entrepreneurship dreams through franchising.

Network and Learn from Industry Veterans

Looking back on my first year in franchising, I realized I didn’t know what I didn’t know. There’s only so much knowledge that comes from experience alone. To begin establishing myself in the industry, I found it immensely helpful to network with experienced franchisees, leaning into conversations, learning about their challenges — and solutions — as well as asking for advice on how to be a successful franchisee. Don’t pass up any opportunity to network, whether that’s through formal mentorships organized by your franchisor, connections through friends and family, or even online, through professional sites such as LinkedIn.

Increase Your Curiosity and Commit to Continuous Learning

Young franchisees must prioritize an understanding of their business if they want to succeed and thrive in their industry. This includes improving your business acumen in general but also mastering specific aspects of your business, such as team management, finances, operations and marketing. To learn these new skills, you must remain naturally curious and commit to a never-ending learning process. Familiarize yourself with industry trends, attend workshops and conferences, and seek out relevant resources like books and online courses to expand your knowledge and stay ahead of the game.

Learn to Effectively Manage Teams

When I opened my McAlister’s location, we had 75 employees — much more than the systemwide average and more than I initially anticipated needing. However, I understood the importance of investing in a robust team based on advice from experienced franchisees. The point is, that young franchise owners may not have a lot of experience managing a team, but it’s essential they learn this skill to run a successful business. The first step is to hire the right people — look for candidates who share a commitment to your vision and have the right skills to help your business grow. Then, foster an environment where employees are valued and motivated to work hard. In addition to being the right thing to do as an employer, creating a positive work environment and culture pays dividends as your employees become driven to ensure the business succeeds. Regularly communicate with your team, provide constructive feedback and offer opportunities for growth and development. Effective team management is crucial for maintaining productivity and achieving long-term success.

Adopt a Hands-on Approach to Operations

Everyone is busy. Even while juggling school, I aim to be at the restaurant three days a week, working in both the front and back of the house. Although owners have teams to manage many areas of the business, it’s especially important for young entrepreneurs to roll up their sleeves and take a hands-on approach to the day-to-day operations. This means taking the time to learn about all the miniscule details of the products or services you offer, knowing the needs and motivations of your customers, and staying on top of industry trends. When you develop a deep understanding of your franchise, you will be in a much better position to make informed long- and short-term decisions that will ultimately enable your business to grow.

Pursue Your Passion

Having passion for your business is one of the most vital tools for overall success — without it, overcoming obstacles and hardships won’t come as easily. Passion not only drives your vision but enables you to continuously evolve and adapt to whatever challenges you may face. It equips you with the willpower to keep going. When you truly love what you do, discouragement will never be enough to stop you from achieving your goals.

Although my ‘zoomer’ peers are eager to skip the corporate grind and carve their own path, it behooves them to learn from others who have been there before. Networking, being curious, learning to manage teams and staying involved were instrumental in overcoming my lack of experience and gaining valuable advice. I offer my lessons with the intention of helping other young franchisees navigate their own challenges and fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams through franchising.

Taral Patel is a franchise owner of McAlister’s Deli. For more information about IFA franchisor member McAlister’s Deli, please visit franchise.org/franchiseopportunities/mcalisters-deli.