In this episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, host Mikey sits down with Tucker Bartone, a multi-franchise owner of Crumble and PLAYA Bowls. Tucker shares his incredible journey from a high school dream of becoming a CEO to managing multiple successful franchises. Hear about his unique path through a major in graphic design, psychology, dropping out of college, and making game changing decisions like pursuing full commission sales and diving into meditation. Tucker also discusses the importance of choosing the right locations, nurturing key relationships, and maintaining operational success. Plus, get an insider look at the factors that play into picking the perfect franchise locations and maintaining high-performing stores. If you're interested in franchising, business management, or entrepreneurship, this episode is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. 00:00 The Dream of Becoming a CEO 00:23 Welcome to the Realistic CEO Podcast 00:55 Understanding Franchising with Tucker 02:08 Tucker's Journey: From Graphic Design to Franchising 04:06 The Impact of Sales Experience 06:40 Meditation and Transition to Franchise Management 09:18 Building Relationships and Business Partnerships 11:10 The Crumble Franchise Success Story 14:15 Navigating Franchise Challenges and Decisions 20:02 The Importance of Location in Franchising 21:16 Choosing the Right Location 24:01 Managing Multiple Franchises 24:21 The Importance of People and Systems 31:31 Scaling Up Quickly 35:46 The Long, Lonely, Boring Work 38:25 A Fun Fact About Me 39:26 Conclusion and Thanks