Ryan's Journey to Success through Franchising

Starting Franchise Sidekick was a milestone for Ryan Zink, but his journey into franchising is rooted in his life’s transformative experiences. Ryan’s early perception of success revolved around profit, where he once equated self-worth with net worth. But as he grew in his career, Ryan came to see a different purpose: creating impact. Today, Franchise Sidekick embodies that shift in values, aiming to make entrepreneurship accessible and successful for others.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, Ryan's early life was far from entrepreneurial. His parents worked tirelessly to provide a stable life, often juggling multiple jobs. Entrepreneurship, as he recalls, was not even a topic in the household. Yet, during his first post-college job managing a GNC franchise, he met mentors who introduced him to the world of business ownership. Seeing firsthand how entrepreneurs managed their lives and leveraged their businesses for growth sparked something in him. He absorbed lessons from these mentors, and in time, his ambition to become a franchisee took root.

However, the road to business ownership wasn’t easy. His initial application to become a GNC franchisee was rejected due to insufficient finances, but Ryan didn’t let that setback define him. Soon after, he turned to Anytime Fitness and was approved to open his first franchise. His determination was evident from the start, as he launched the business from a modest trailer and signed his first customer amid winter's challenges. Each small victory solidified his drive to build something impactful and meaningful.

Ryan's entrepreneurial journey continued with his co-founding of Complete Nutrition, where he and his mentor Corey developed a successful nutrition retail concept. Though Complete Nutrition flourished rapidly, Ryan’s growth mindset and passion for franchising led him to his next venture—Franchise Fastlane. Focused on helping emerging franchises expand, Fastlane became the largest franchise sales organization in the country, and through it, Ryan learned how to identify and grow high-potential franchise brands.

When Fastlane’s success attracted private equity interest, Ryan saw an opportunity to focus on what he had always been passionate about: helping people become business owners. Thus, Franchise Sidekick was born. Franchise Sidekick supports aspiring entrepreneurs in finding franchises that align with their goals, reducing their risks and maximizing their chances of success.

At Franchise Sidekick, Ryan’s mission is clear. He aims to leave a legacy of creating more business owners than anyone in history, viewing his work through the lens of impact over income. Ryan envisions a world where aspiring entrepreneurs have the guidance they need to build lives on their own terms. For Ryan, entrepreneurship is about the legacy of lives changed, risks reduced, and dreams fulfilled—a testament to his lifelong journey of redefining success.