Using Golf to Build an Empire

From a late-night simulator session with friends to 300+ locations in five years—this is the wild rise of The Back Nine, the fastest-growing golf simulator franchise in America. Founder & CEO Wil Bangerter joins Ryan and Tyler to share how he walked away from a law career, turned an “unhealthy golf addiction” into a scalable business, and built a franchise system that’s redefining indoor golf.In this episode:The garage-to-franchise origin story (COVID year → soft opening → first members)Why golfers love the 24/7, automated, no-pressure model—and how software makes it workPicking the right simulator tech (accuracy = retention) and building sticky membershipsThe first 10 franchisees: pioneers, pricing, and lessons from messy beginningsHitting zero sales…then a seven-figure month and sustained 15–30 deals/monthPartnerships with Full Swing, TGL, and NBC’s tee time networkHow Wil’s role evolved from floor-scraper to culture-builder and franchise support leaderWhat it takes to scale responsibly: territory mapping, ops hiring, and franchisee successWho it’s for: aspiring franchise owners, emerging franchisors, golf/fitness operators, and anyone curious how to turn passion into a durable business.If you’re exploring franchise ownership, grab our free 20-minute training: 10,000 Locations & Counting—The Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint.