By Jayson Pearl, International Franchise Association (IFA) 

When Chris Johnson visited the International Franchise Association (IFA) website in July 2024, he wasn’t just browsing — he was beginning a new chapter of his life.

After more than two decades climbing the corporate ladder, the Princeton, New Jersey, resident had reached an inflection point. A voluntary separation package from his employer gave him the rare chance to pause, reflect, and choose what came next.

Starting the Search

Chris approached his next move with the same analytical mindset that served him well in senior leadership roles. He considered everything — from monetizing hobbies to launching a startup — but franchising stood out. “It offered the ideal balance of autonomy and structure,” he recalls. “I could lead and create within a proven system without building from scratch.”

Armed with curiosity, he scoured forums, read reviews, consulted franchise brokers, and even experimented with AI tools. Yet nothing felt like the right fit. It was only after landing on the IFA’s website (www.franchise.org) that his search gained real traction. “The site’s filtering tools allowed me to zero in on industries that matched my interests and values,” he says.

Discovering Sticky Fingers Cooking

Among the dozens of brands he explored, one profile jumped off the page: Sticky Fingers Cooking, an education and enrichment franchise that brings culinary programs to schools and community centers. Chris, who cherished childhood memories of cooking with his aunt and had rediscovered the joys of the kitchen during the pandemic, was immediately intrigued. “The brand personality and mission resonated with me right away,” he says. “It was purposeful, fulfilling, and fun — while still financially viable.”

He submitted an inquiry on July 2 and received a response the very next day. By his second conversation, he was speaking directly with CEO Erin Fletter. “We clicked immediately,” Chris says. “Shared values, humor, and vision — it felt effortless.”

From Discovery to Decision

Chris continued his due diligence — reviewing financials, speaking with franchisees, and testing the system for consistency. The more he learned, the more confident he became. “The information I found online was completely consistent with what I heard from the team,” he notes. “That transparency gave me real confidence moving forward.”

By August, Chris was in Denver for training, impressed by the company’s proprietary technology and operational systems. “Starting from scratch is really, really hard,” he explains. “Sticky Fingers Cooking has built a framework to avoid the thousand paper cuts that sink many small businesses.”

Life as a Franchisee

Since opening his business in the fall of 2024, Chris is experiencing the entrepreneurial life he long imagined. His days vary from creative tasks like marketing and community outreach to analytical work optimizing performance. “The flexibility is liberating,” he says. He’s already joined local business groups and built connections he never found in corporate life.

Lessons for Franchisors

Chris’s journey highlights key takeaways for franchisors:

• Digital Discovery Matters: The IFA website was the pivotal gateway to this match. Strong, clear brand profiles and filtering tools helped Sticky Fingers Cooking stand out.
• Responsiveness Builds Trust: Quick follow-up and personal engagement — like a CEO call within days — created instant credibility.
• Culture Counts: Beyond financials, brand mission and leadership style sealed the deal.

Chris’s story is a reminder that today’s prospects are discerning, data-driven, and values-focused. “Franchising isn’t plug-and-play,” he says. “It’s a powerful head start, but it still requires ownership and effort. Find something that aligns with who you are, with people you respect and trust.”

Thanks to a well-crafted IFA presence and a franchisor committed to transparency and support, Chris found exactly that — proving that the right digital introduction can spark a lasting partnership.

Jayson Pearl is the director, head of content strategy at the International Franchise Association.