Michael A. Peterson

Michael A. Peterson is the President & Co-Founder of Franchise Beacon, a boutique franchise sales and consulting firm.

A veteran of the franchise industry, he has held nearly executive position in franchisor organizations, including training, support, legal, and C-suite administration.

Michael's passion for sales started at a young age; by 17 he was managing a small sales and marketing company in Billings, Montana, and by the time he was 18 he had been vested as a partner and was running offices in Helena, Billings, and Great Falls Montana for the company.

Though he was on his way down a successful career path, he chose to put his sales career on hold to serve his country, and in October of 1998 signed up for the United States Army. Over his three-year tour of duty he served in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Baumholder, Germany, and finally in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Attached to the 3rd ID, he was a crewman fort the Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

Franchise Beacon has assisted 7 franchisors in the to-market process. For most, this included a franchise feasibility study, development of a go-to-market plan, first draft of the franchise documents, working as a liaison with their franchise counsel, developing a marketing budget and negotiating best rates with advertisers, preparing copy for print material, developing a sales process specific for the brand, and handling the franchise mutual evaluation process. Franchise Beacon has led several brands to top of their sector.

"(Michael) could handle everything – from sales to onboarding – by himself. Our results reflect the team’s devotion to clients." ~ Sanjay Gehani, Partner and CMO, Building Kidz Worldwide

In December of 2016, Michael released the book How and Why to Franchise Your business. This was the culmination of over a decade of knowledge. The book was reactive to a perceived need; a step by step actual guide to go from small business to franchisor. No business owner who has read this book will go into franchising not knowing what to expect.

"This book contributes greatly to the literature outlining the road map that should be followed in order to establish a successful franchise system." ~ Kevin Hein, Chief Development and Strategy Officer, Alexius Managed Legal Services

Ever in production mode, Michael is currently working on a second book, has published a free guide to franchise sales on his website, and (as of end of year 2018) in the process of launching a new funding arm of Franchise Beacon, providing fast, reasonably priced cash advances to franchisees, or providing franchisors the funds to provide a financing program to their franchisees.