Father, Son, Franchisees: Building a Business and Bonds Across Generations

Franchising has always been about more than profit. For me, it’s about people — and more specifically, my family. My father was one of the original Subway franchisees in our region over 20 years ago. We built the business side by side, and that experience has shaped how I think about entrepreneurship, relationships and leadership to this day. 

With much of my dad’s wisdom in mind, I launched new ventures across Southern Ohio and eventually brought my own sons into the fold. Since opening our first Hot Head Burritos in Portsmouth in 2015, we’ve grown to three units and expanded into area development across Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Today, my sons play active roles in the business. Kyle runs daily operations and focuses on guest experience, while Kurt leads our real estate and construction efforts — from new store buildouts to residential housing projects. We’ve each found a lane based on our strengths, and that’s been key to our growth.

Fom Entrepreneur to Franchise Family

Our family has always built things — from auto parts to hotels to housing developments — but food franchising has become the heart of what we do. After leaning into the foodservice space, we’ve grown into multiple units and expanded into residential construction and area development.

Our success depends on staying in sync, holding each other accountable and playing to our strengths.

We don’t draw a line between business and family. Our success depends on staying in sync, holding each other accountable and playing to our strengths. That’s how we’ve built a multigenerational team that can grow together and stay together.

The Advantage of a Family-Owned Operation

Working with family means you know who you can count on. You also know that disagreements are part of the process. The key is finding a rhythm and assigning responsibilities based on individual strengths, not titles. We all have a stake in making decisions that benefit the business long-term.

This type of structure also builds trust among staff. Our employees see that we are present and invested. We are not absentee owners, and that makes a difference in how the team operates.

Lessons from the Long Haul

Franchising offers a clear path into ownership, but it’s not a shortcut to success. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding an existing portfolio, you need to treat it like a long game. Success doesn’t come from signing a franchise agreement — it comes from showing up every day, solving problems and staying accountable to your team and your guests.

Start by choosing a concept that matches your energy and reflects your values. If you’re chasing a trend, you’ll be out of the game the moment it shifts. But if the brand feels like something you’d be proud to put your name on, you’ll put in the effort it takes to build it right.

Lean into the systems and support your franchisor offers, but never expect the playbook to run itself. You have to know your numbers, watch your labor, manage inventory and build relationships in your community. People can tell when you’re truly invested.

And if you’re building with family, remember: it’s a gift, not a guarantee. Find the right balance of structure and flexibility. Communicate constantly. Respect each other’s roles. When it works, there’s nothing more fulfilling than growing something together — and knowing it will outlast you.

Top photo from left to right: Kyle, Ed and Kurt Newsome