What It Really Takes to Own a McDonald's Franchise | As Told By You Podcast | Brad Valdes

What does it really take to own—and grow—15 McDonald's franchises? In this episode of As Told By You, we sit down with entrepreneur Brad Valdes to talk about the business behind one of the world's most recognizable brands and the mindset it takes to build something much bigger than a single restaurant. Brad shares how he entered the McDonald's franchise system, earned his first restaurant at just 25 years old, and went on to build a portfolio of 15 McDonald's locations. We dive into the realities of franchising, leadership, scaling operations, and what it takes to manage teams across multiple restaurants while maintaining the high standards people expect from the Golden Arches. But Brad's entrepreneurial journey didn't stop there. After years of success in the restaurant business, he took on a completely different challenge—launching his own bourbon brand. We discuss what inspired the move, the lessons he carried from franchising into a new industry, and why great entrepreneurs are always looking for the next opportunity to create something meaningful. In this episode, you'll learn: -How Brad became a McDonald's franchise owner -What it takes to grow from one restaurant to 15 locations -The realities of owning and operating multiple franchises -The entrepreneurial mindset behind building successful businesses -How Super Size Me changed the business Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, McDonald's franchising, business ownership, leadership, or building multiple businesses, this conversation offers practical insights and an inside look at the journey behind the success. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like and subscribe to As Told By You for more conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who are making an impact in their communities.