Preserve Your Legacy & Reward Your Team: The Power of ESOPs with Matt Middendorp

What if your exit strategy could protect your legacy, reward your employees, and still deliver strong financial returns? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Matt Middendorp, entrepreneur, former banker, and ESOP expert, to unpack one of the most misunderstood—but powerful—succession strategies available to franchise owners and business leaders: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Matt shares firsthand insight from every angle—as an ESOP employee, business owner, and advisor—explaining how ESOPs can outperform traditional exits like private equity while preserving company culture and community impact. 🎙️ In this conversation, you'll learn: What an ESOP actually is (and how it works in simple terms) Why ESOPs often deliver higher after-tax returns than private equity How employee ownership boosts productivity, retention, and long-term growth Why ESOP companies are more resilient during economic downturns When an ESOP makes sense for franchisees and multi-unit operators How ESOPs help founders exit on their timeline—without losing control overnight Whether you're a franchisee thinking about succession, a franchisor advising owners, or a business leader focused on long-term impact, this episode offers a compelling alternative to the typical "sell and walk away" mindset. 👉 If legacy, people, and profitability all matter to you—this is a must-watch. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, franchising, and purpose-driven growth.