We’ve walked the path,
now let’s clear it for you.
At Franchise Incubators, we believe that every great franchise brand deserves a partner who understands what it truly takes to scale. Founded by Christopher Pena and Bob McQuillan, we’re not just another franchise sales agency, we’re brand founders who’ve built, grown, and successfully exited thriving franchises ourselves. We’ve experienced the highs, the lows, and the day-to-day grind, and now we’re here to help you navigate the journey with confidence.
Growing your brand
shouldn’t mean risking everything.
Most founders reach a point where passion and perseverance are no longer enough. Expanding into franchising introduces new complexities, from operations and legal frameworks to capital and franchise development. Without the right partner, growth can stall just when momentum is building.
Founders who’ve built, scaled, and exited successful brands.
Christopher Pena
Founder & CEO
Christopher Pena
Experienced Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the think tanks industry. Skilled in Business Development, Marketing, Sales Training and Implementation, Social Media Applications, Contractors, and Entrepreneurship.
Mike Judkins
PositionMike Judkins
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Gayle Longmore
VP of DevelopmentGayle Longmore
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Mia Dzaferbegovic
Executive AssistantMia Dzaferbegovic
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Help founders build the next generation of franchise brands.
At Franchise Incubators, we’re more than franchise consultants, we’re entrepreneurs, operators, strategists, and
problem-solvers who are passionate about helping founders achieve sustainable growth. If you’re driven by innovation, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Our vision
A world where the best local brands don’t stall out. They launch. We’ll guide more proven founders into franchising than anyone else.
Our mission
Be the most effective launch partner for founders turning proven businesses into thriving franchise brands, with our own capital, systems, and people on the line beside them.
Our core values
Founder first
We never lose sight of the people behind the business. Every decision starts with helping founders succeed.
Partnership over transactions
We build lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and shared success.
Excellence in execution
We believe great ideas deserve exceptional execution. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Franchise Incubators?
A hybrid franchise development and investment firm. Most founders who build a successful local brand hit a wall when it’s time to franchise. The next phase demands capital and expertise they don’t have in-house. We build the franchise systems with them, and we can invest our own capital alongside them, so they can grow into a national brand without losing what makes it theirs.
What does “For Founders, By Founders” mean?
We’ve built, franchised, bought, and sold businesses ourselves. We’ve sat in every chair you’re sitting in. You’re working with operators who’ve done the launch, not account managers running a playbook they’ve never lived.
Are you a franchise sales organization (FSO)?
No, and the difference matters. An FSO is paid to sell licenses, so that’s where its attention goes. Our economics ride on how your units perform, so we measure ourselves on same-store sales, average unit volume, royalty self-sufficiency, and franchisee validation. We call that standard Franchisee-First.
Do you invest in every brand you work with?
No, and we’re upfront about that. Our capital is real and ready, but we deploy it selectively, when the fit is right for both sides. Some partnerships start with development and investment comes later; some brands don’t need our money at all. What never changes is the alignment: we win when your units win.
What kinds of founders do you partner with?
Founders with proof of concept and momentum who’ve reached the edge of what they can do alone: a proven local brand that hasn’t franchised yet, a young system with a handful of units, or a brand that started franchising and stalled. We call them our Brand Partners: their name stays on the door. Our job is to get it on a hundred more.
Will franchising mean losing control of my brand?
It shouldn’t. That fear is exactly why we exist. The whole point of our model is scaling what you built without losing what makes it yours. You stay the founder; we build the engine around you.
Is franchising right for every business?
No, and we’ll tell you so, early and kindly. Our credibility comes from the no’s we’re willing to give, because our capital rides on the yes. That’s what the Business Evaluation is for: an honest answer about whether and how your business should franchise.
How do I start?
Evaluate Your Business. Or if you’re earlier in the journey, take the Readiness Assessment and see where you stand.