From McKinsey to Franchising: Jeff Helfgott on Building Profitable, People-First Franchise Systems

In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman sits down with Jeff Helfgott, CEO of Boardroom Salon for Men, to explore a leadership philosophy grounded in integrity, partnership, and disciplined growth.Jeff’s journey into franchising wasn’t planned. From ROTC to an MBA and a career at McKinsey, he found his way into the industry through Planet Fitness—first as a franchisee, then on the franchisor side. That rare dual perspective shaped his belief that franchising only works when both sides succeed.Today, at Boardroom Salon for Men, Jeff is putting that philosophy into practice. The brand is experiencing double-digit revenue growth and a 47% increase in new client traffic—while maintaining something almost unheard of in franchising: no locations operating at a loss.In this conversation, Jeff shares:Why so many franchise systems fail at the unit levelThe importance of franchisor-franchisee alignmentA defining moment where integrity built a lasting competitor relationshipWhy he reversed a rebrand to return to the company’s core identityHow “How can we help you?” became his operating philosophyThis episode is shines a light on building a franchise system that prioritizes people, profitability, and long-term success over rapid expansion.If you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or considering entering the space, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.