Entrepreneur Media, the leading authority on entrepreneurship and franchising, has formed a strategic partnership with Optimal Advisory, a boutique advisory firm focused on consumer and related sectors.

The collaboration is built specifically for franchisors, giving founders, CEOs, and franchise development leaders direct access to advisory services designed to help them grow smarter and faster.

Franchisor services offered

• Strategic growth support: The advisory team will outline clear plans for new markets and territories, and offer expansion strategies aligned with unit economics and brand positioning.
• Recommendations for operational improvement: Get reviews of field support, training, and onboarding, and practical recommendations to improve consistency, profitability, and compliance.
• Financial and capital guidance: We’ll help evaluate funding options and capital structures and support preparation for transactions, recapitalizations, or liquidity events.
• Improved brand and go‑to‑market strategy: Sharpen your story for franchisees, investors, and partners. Find better alignment between marketing, development, and enterprise value.

Related: See Entrepreneur’s Latest Franchise 500 Rankings

Empowering leadership 

“Hundreds of franchisor brands already work with Entrepreneur, and this partnership allows us to go much deeper with their leadership teams,” says Bill Shaw, President of Entrepreneur Media. “Franchisors are under pressure to grow intelligently. By joining forces with Optimal, we’re giving them access to advisors who understand the franchise model and can help them scale with discipline and long‑term value in mind.”

Blake Best, Head of Private Capital Advisory at Optimal, says, “We’re honored to partner with Entrepreneur to support the franchise ecosystem,” adding, “This collaboration allows us to bring our growth and capital markets experience directly to franchisor CEOs and founders who are building enduring brands.”

“Franchising is a unique model that sits at the intersection of brand, operations, and capital,” notes David Schick, co‑founder of Optimal. “Together with Entrepreneur, we can help franchisors professionalize their organizations, prepare for the next stage of growth, and explore strategic alternatives.”

How and when franchisors can engage

The partnership is effective immediately, and advisory services are available to Entrepreneur Media’s network of franchise brands, with options tailored to emerging, growth‑stage, and mature franchisors. 

Franchisors can engage in one‑time strategic projects or ongoing advisory support aligned with board and C‑suite priorities.

To learn more, contact bshaw@entrepreneur.com.

About Entrepreneur Media

Entrepreneur is a media company focused on the culture, mindset, and lifestyle of entrepreneurship. For nearly 50 years, Entrepreneur has helped business leaders start, run, and grow their ventures through content, books, podcasts, videos, events, and consulting services. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and Entrepreneur Books reach millions of entrepreneurs, franchise leaders, and business owners worldwide.

About Optimal Advisory

Optimal Advisory is a boutique advisory firm specializing in consumer and adjacent sectors. The firm works with management teams, investors, and boards to design growth strategies, optimize capital structures, and execute strategic transactions that create long‑term value.

Related: Dive Into Entrepreneur’s Franchise Learning Center