2. Don’t leave the table during a lucky streak
Ed Doherty, chairman and co-CEO, Doherty Enterprises
After a fortuitous venture with a portfolio of Roy Rogers units eventually went south, Doherty—a Marriott warhorse—cold-called Applebee’s to request a franchise. His lack of capital was met with hesitation, but the optimist was not deterred. “I got lucky,” he told RB; his request was fielded by a key Applebee’s player who took a liking to Doherty and guided him through the process. Fast forward to 107 Applebee’s and, much later, an empire comprising five franchised concepts and two original brands.