Jerry Akers on Peace, Profit, and Posterity in Franchising

Franchising changed Jerry Akers’ life, and now he’s on a mission to remove unnecessary pain from the industry. In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Jerry Akers — multi-unit franchise operator, author, IFA board member, and founder of Z-Dynamics — to unpack what actually separates thriving franchisees from those who struggle. Jerry shares how he grew from one underperforming acquisition to 32 Great Clips salons across two states, what scaling really requires (hint: it’s not “semi-absentee”), and why culture is the ultimate growth lever. He explains how leadership differs from management, why mindset determines franchise success, and how to build bench strength that creates true operational peace. They also explore the biggest misconceptions new franchisees bring into the system, the danger of rewriting the playbook you already paid for, and how technology and AI will reshape labor and leadership in the years ahead. Jerry’s philosophy centers around what he calls the Franchisee Trifecta: Peace, Profit, and Posterity: building a business that runs well, earns well, and lasts. If you’re a franchise operator, aspiring owner, or industry leader, this conversation is packed with practical insight and hard-earned wisdom. About Jerry: Jerry is a self-proclaimed “farm boy from Iowa” who spent 27 years in Corporate America as a turnaround expert. During that time, he, along with his wife and now two daughters, started putting together a Company that spans two States and includes 32 Great Clips salons. After two days of retirement, he became bored and joined The Joint Chiropractic as a Regional Developer. He now has four open Clinics and supports two franchisees, each with three of their own. In 2020, he co-authored the best-selling book, “Live it 2 Own It,” leading to requests for him to Keynote and share his success methods for Franchisees at conventions, along with classes and work sessions, training franchisees on best practices and business-improving tactics. Currently a State Council Member of NFIB and a member of the IFA board of Directors, Jerry spends the majority of his “retirement” time mentoring and guiding Franchisees of all brands.