Faith-Driven Franchise Investments: Todd Recknagel's Three20 Group Playbook episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 9, 2025 · 1H 1M

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

from The Inspired Stories Podcast · host Anthony Codispoti

🎙️ Todd Recknagel's Faith-Driven Franchise Journey: From Blimpy Subs Losses to Building Billion-Dollar Platform CompaniesTodd 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 dealPivotal mentorship lesson: fix the problem whether you sell or keep it—that's when you truly own the businessTurned three losing Blimpy stores into 12-unit operation performing 50% above system average on unit volumeThree20 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+ franchiseesMr. Handyman CEO role: grew brand from startup to nearly $100M system sales and 300 locations before Neighborly acquisitionValues-driven COVID response: paid $10M full payroll for six weeks before knowing PPP existed to protect 90% member loyaltyBlocking-and-tackling playbook: CRM systems, lead tracking, key metrics alignment, and incentive structures that reward everyoneFranFaith community launch: where faith and franchising intersect with five pillars—faith, family, franchising, finances, fitnessDivorce and business affair: choosing 100% blame approach, maintaining two homes for kids, learning humility through brokenness🌟 Todd's Key Mentors & Influences:Grandmother Born 1902GrandfatherFather Who Owned Pharmacy ChainEarly Blimpy MentorLloyd Reeb (Halftime Co-Founder)Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church Pastor)Best Friend from College Who Became PastorOlder Brother Orthopedic SurgeonChristy 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: [email protected] FranFaith Community: FranFaith.com📄 Transcript Available: Faith-Driven Franchise Investments: Todd Recknagel's Three20 Group Playbook📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast📄 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#FranchiseInvestment #FaithDrivenBusiness #MultiUnitFranchising #OperationalExcellence #FranFaith #PrivateEquity #FranchiseGrowth #LeadershipLessons #InspiredStoriesPodcast

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

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