Franchising doesn’t have to mean fast food—discover a new path to business ownership with non-food franchises that promise steady growth and long-term success.   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews John Ostenson, the founder of FranBridge Consulting and author of Non-Food Franchising, who shares his expert insights into the world of franchising beyond the fast food industry. With years of experience as a franchisee and consultant, John explains how he helps aspiring entrepreneurs find the right business opportunities, secure funding, and thrive in the franchising world. His mission is to connect people with business models that align with their goals and lifestyles, ensuring long-term success.   Key Takeaways: → Why non-food franchises are a smart business move. → The challenges of finding the right franchise fit. → The six-step framework for evaluating franchises. → The process of finding the perfect franchise opportunity. → Insights into emerging sectors in non-food franchising.   Jon Ostenson is the founder of FranBridge, a top 1% franchise consultant in the US, and a frequent contributor on franchising across various outlets and publications. Jon is a multi-brand franchisee himself, and along with his business partners, he has great operators leading these ventures. As a result, he can commit over 90% of his time to helping others achieve their dreams of freedom and wealth generation through business ownership.   Before FranBridge, Jon was the President of ShelfGenie, a national franchise system with 200 locations. Before his start in franchising with ShelfGenie, Jon spent 15 years in the corporate world, most recently serving as the Vice President of Sales for Carter’s Inc., where he was responsible for over $350 million in annual sales. Jon began his career as a Consultant with Accenture, often working internationally on behalf of clients. Jon serves on the Board of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and is actively involved in supporting charitable organizations, including Growing Leaders and Hope International. Jon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Georgia. He resides in Atlanta, where he and his wife, Jenny, have three children and are actively involved in the community.   Connect With Jon Ostenson: Website LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices