🎙️ Todd Recknagel's Faith-Driven Franchise Journey: From Blimpy Subs Losses to Building Billion-Dollar Platform Companies

Todd Recknagel transforms personal failure into franchise mastery as managing partner of Three20 Capital Group, named after Ephesians 3:20 to reflect his faith-driven investment philosophy. Starting with three Blimpy Subs locations that lost $100,000 in year one, Todd shares the pivotal moment when a mentor helped him realize he needed to fix his struggling stores whether he kept them or sold them—the day he truly became a franchisee rather than just a paperwork owner.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Career transformation from investment banker leaving six-figure income to struggling Blimpy Subs franchisee losing $100K year one

• "Slicer guy" moment: investment banking client didn't recognize Todd working sandwich counter during million-dollar deal

• Pivotal mentorship lesson: fix the problem whether you sell or keep it—that's when you truly own the business

• Turned three losing Blimpy stores into 12-unit operation performing 50% above system average on unit volume

• Three20 Capital Group named after Ephesians 3:20: "To him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we could ask or imagine"

• Built eight brands under Service Brands platform generating $400-500M system sales with 1,000+ franchisees

• Mr. Handyman CEO role: grew brand from startup to nearly $100M system sales and 300 locations before Neighborly acquisition

• Values-driven COVID response: paid $10M full payroll for six weeks before knowing PPP existed to protect 90% member loyalty

• Blocking-and-tackling playbook: CRM systems, lead tracking, key metrics alignment, and incentive structures that reward everyone

• FranFaith community launch: where faith and franchising intersect with five pillars—faith, family, franchising, finances, fitness

• Divorce and business affair: choosing 100% blame approach, maintaining two homes for kids, learning humility through brokenness

🌟 Todd's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Grandmother Born 1902

• Grandfather

• Father Who Owned Pharmacy Chain

• Early Blimpy Mentor

• Lloyd Reeb (Halftime Co-Founder)

• Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church Pastor)

• Best Friend from College Who Became Pastor

• Older Brother Orthopedic Surgeon

• Christy Recknagel (Wife and Business Partner)

• Private Equity Partner Trivest

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about fixing what's broken rather than running from it, taking 100% blame in relationships to enable healing, and why paying employees before government aid demonstrated faith-driven values that created unprecedented loyalty during pandemic chaos.

🔗 Connect with Todd Recknagel:

LinkedIn: Todd Recknagel 

Email: todd@Three20group.com 

FranFaith Community: FranFaith.com

📄 Transcript Available: Faith-Driven Franchise Investments: Todd Recknagel's Three20 Group Playbook

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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