I recently took a call from someone eager to buy a restaurant franchise.

They were excited, optimistic, and ready to take the plunge. The idea of owning their own business, working for themselves, and controlling their destiny had them fired up. They had done some research, run the numbers, and figured they were ready to roll. But there was one glaring issue.

They had zero restaurant experience.

Now, I could have leaned into their enthusiasm, gone along, and reassured them that everything would work out. That would have been easy. It would have made them feel good. And honestly, it would have made me feel good too and allowed me to earn a nice fee. After all, who does not want to be the person who helps someone chase their dream?

But that is not my job.

My job is often to help people avoid making significant mistakes. Especially when those mistakes could cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of their life.

So, I did what I always do in these situations. I told them the truth.

The Reality of Owning a Restaurant Franchise

I shared what I have learned from years of working with clients in the restaurant industry. I talked about the challenges with employees—constant turnover, the difficulty of finding good managers, and the endless HR headaches. I explained the high failure rates in the restaurant business, even for franchise owners. And I was honest about the time-consuming nature of managing such a business. Owning a restaurant is not a part-time gig or a side hustle. It is a lifestyle. A demanding, often overwhelming lifestyle.

And I told them something they probably were not expecting to hear: without any prior restaurant experience, they were potentially walking into a firestorm.

The numbers might look good on paper. The franchisor might be promising the world. But the reality on the ground is very different. It is tough. It is risky. And for someone without a background in restaurants, it can be downright brutal.

Why Tough Conversations Matter

This is not an easy conversation to have. When someone calls me, they are often looking for validation. They want me to confirm what they already believe—that their plan is solid, their dream is achievable, and they are ready to move forward.

But here is the thing: my job is not to validate someone’s feelings. My job is to protect their future.

That means I often have to tell people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.

And sometimes, they do not want to hear it.

But tough conversations like these can save people from making life-altering mistakes. They can save marriages, retirement accounts, and years of regret. Because the truth—while it might sting in the moment—is far better than a sugar-coated lie that leads someone straight into disaster. Even if it means I lose a fee.

The Role of a Lawyer as a Guide

When you work with a franchise or business lawyer, you should want to hire someone who does more than just dot the i’s and cross the t’s on your legal documents. You are hiring someone to guide you through some of the biggest decisions of your life.

For me, that means using my experience—not just as a franchise and business lawyer, but as someone who has worked with countless clients in industries like restaurants—to provide real, honest advice. It means looking beyond the shiny marketing materials and digging into the hard truths. It means being the person who raises their hand and says, “Have you really thought this through?”

In this particular call, the prospective client thanked me giving them a lot to think about. They admitted they had not considered many of the challenges I mentioned. And while they were still interested in pursuing the franchise, they walked away from the conversation with a clearer understanding of what was ahead.

That is the goal.

It is not about crushing dreams. It is about making sure those dreams are rooted in reality.

Why Honest Advice is a Must

Too many people surround themselves with yes-men. They chase ideas without ever stopping to question the risks. And when things go south, they are left wondering why no one warned them.

But here is the thing: the warning signs are almost always there. You just need someone with the courage to point them out.

That is where I come in.

When you hire me, you are not hiring someone to tell you what you want to hear. You are hiring someone to tell you what you need to hear. Even if it is uncomfortable. Even if it makes you pause. Because at the end of the day, it is far better to have a tough conversation upfront than to deal with the fallout of a bad decision down the road.

The Bottom Line

The truth is not always easy to hear. But it is always worth it.

That is my promise.

If you are ready for someone who will put honesty above your feelings, let’s talk. Because sometimes, what you need most is someone who will tell you the hard truth—and then help you figure out where to go from there.

That is what I do.