Ep141 Work-to-Own: How Wet-seal Turns Employees Into Franchise Owners with Robert Cameron, CEO
Description
Wet-seal CEO Robert Cameron joins the podcast to share how the brand is successfully transitioning long-term applicators into franchise owners through a “work-to-own” pathway.
With many franchisees nearing retirement and challenges finding new candidates, Wet-seal began offering committed team members a chance to buy split territories — creating smoother transitions and faster ramp-ups.
Robert explains how this model reduces risk, shortens training, and gives applicators a real career path while maintaining strong support around finance, operations, and business readiness. With nine territories already converted and more planned, this approach is becoming a key growth strategy for the brand.
0:00 Introduction
0:18 What does Wet-seal actually do
1:02 The “work-to-own” concept: what is it and how did it start?
01:52 How Wet-seal’s aging franchise base triggered a new pathway
03:19 How splitting large territories created new owners
4:54 Is the “work-to-own” method now formalized in the sales process?
5:25 How the applicator pathway compares to a traditional franchise buyer
6:20 How the rest of the network reacted to this ownership model
7:13 Handling concerns about “poaching” staff from existing franchisees
8:24 The shift from applicator to business owner: training, support & early-stage adjustments
11:20 Wrap up
Podcast Produced by: www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au
Listen or Watch on;
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yfz9u7rs
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2rk6hsaf
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/bdd4wmnc
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ABkuMiPvnY
United States
