“Do You Need Sales Experience?” — Why Franchise Owners Don’t Have to Sell

Hire Yourself Podcast with Pete Gilfillan

Thinking about franchise ownership but worried you don’t have a sales background? You’re not alone—and you’re not disqualified.

In this episode, Pete Gilfillan tackles one of the most common questions from corporate executives considering franchise ownership: “Do I need to be good at sales?” The short answer is no. The long answer? Franchise systems are designed to give you the tools, training, and team support to succeed—without having to be a career salesperson.

In this episode, Pete discusses:

• Franchise = Proven Business Model
  You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Franchisors provide structured systems and training—including sales techniques tailored to their offerings.
• Built-In Marketing and Branding Support
  Most franchises include national or regional marketing campaigns to generate leads, so you’re not left trying to drum up business from scratch.
• Operational and Sales Support Systems
  From lead generation and CRM tools to onboarding and sales coaching, franchisors help you execute efficiently.
• Leverage Your Network
  Executives bring one big advantage: a strong personal and professional network. Pete explains how to activate it to grow your customer base.
• Focus on Strategy, Not Selling
  Franchisees don’t have to do the selling—they lead the business. Your focus is hiring the right team, managing KPIs, and growing the operation.
• Comprehensive Training Programs
  Franchisors walk you through every aspect of running the business, including sales—even if it’s never been part of your corporate role.
• Recruiting Sales Talent
  You don’t need to sell—you need to recruit. Learn how franchisors help you build a high-performing sales team.
• Tracking Performance with Metrics
  From KPIs to dashboards, franchise systems help you monitor what’s working, so you can adjust and improve.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to be a salesperson—you need to be a leader.
• Franchise systems are built to support and scale sales for you.
• Your corporate skills in strategy, hiring, and execution are what matter most.
• Confidence and people skills go further than a sales résumé.
• Franchise ownership is about building a team, not making cold calls.
  
  

“You don’t need sales experience to be a successful franchise owner—you need drive, leadership, and a willingness to learn.” — Pete Gilfillan

CONNECT WITH PETE GILFILLAN:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/
🌐 Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/

CONNECT WITH HIRE YOURSELF PODCAST:
🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hire-yourself-podcast/id1472038217
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTKOLjuUWbf7BRtGtp6dP?si=eb2f7b38bd884804
▶️ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@hireyourself7642
📅 Meet with Pete: https://www.hireyourself.com/gilfillan/