A Full-Circle Mission: Serving Franchisees the Way I Was Once Served – Nicole Odom, Senior Director of Operations, Burn Boot Camp

Nicole Odom, the Senior Director of Operations for Burn Boot Camp, shares her journey from a franchisee to a leadership role with a focus on enhancing support for franchisees. Initially inspired by a Dogtopia location in Northern Virginia, where she first learned about franchising after a conversation with staff, Odom became a Dogtopia franchisee in 2009, despite the challenges of being a newcomer in a struggling economy. She faced significant hurdles, including underfunding and a lack of structured support from the franchisor, which drove her to pursue further education in organization development and executive coaching after selling her location.

In 2021, Odom joined Burn Boot Camp, where she has rapidly ascended from Franchise Business Coach to her current role, overseeing operations for over 410 franchised gyms. Her efforts are aimed at providing franchise partners with the comprehensive support she wished she had when she started her own franchise, leading to significant improvements in franchise performance. Under her leadership, the Burn Boot Camp system has achieved double-digit same-gym sales growth in recent years.

Odom emphasizes the importance of structured backing and training for franchisees, noting that supportive systems can make a substantial difference in their success. As she continues to develop the franchise's Learning & Development department and overall operations, she expresses pride in witnessing franchise partners thrive with the resources now available to them. The success of this approach highlights the shifting dynamics within the franchise industry—marking a focus on franchisee support that may serve as a blueprint for emerging brands seeking to improve their systems. Observing how Burn Boot Camp maintains this support and growth trajectory will be crucial for stakeholders in the franchise sector.