We Sell Restaurants has been named one of the Top 100 Franchises for Women by Franchise Business Review, reinforcing its commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. The ranking, based on independent franchisee satisfaction surveys, highlights the brand's strong support system, financial opportunities, and work-life balance, making it an attractive choice for women seeking business ownership.

A Commitment to Excellence in Restaurant Brokerage

We Sell Restaurants is the nation's leading and only business broker franchise focused exclusively on restaurants. By providing expert representation for restaurant buyers and sellers, the brand has built a reputation for industry-leading training, ongoing support, and a data-driven approach to transactions.

Franchise Business Review's rankings are the only franchise ratings based entirely on direct franchisee feedback. The firm surveyed nearly 9,000 female franchise owners across 350 franchise brands, assessing 33 benchmark questions related to franchisee satisfaction in key areas such as leadership, training, financial opportunity, and overall work/life balance.

Empowering Women in Business Ownership

According to Franchise Business Review, 88% of women surveyed reported they enjoy being part of their franchise organization, and three out of four said they would recommend their franchise to others—compelling statistics that reinforce the value of choosing the right franchise brand.

"Our mission is to provide the tools, training, and mentorship that empower women to thrive as business owners in the restaurant brokerage industry," said Robin Gagnon, CEO and Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants. "We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a top franchise for women. This honor is a testament to the supportive and inclusive culture we've built, ensuring that every franchisee, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to succeed."

A Bright Future for Women in Franchising

Women are increasingly shaping the future of franchising, leveraging their talents and entrepreneurial spirit to make significant strides in the industry. Recent statistics highlight the growing influence and success of women in franchising:

Increasing Franchise Ownership: As of 2021, women owned or co-owned approximately 41% of all franchises in the United States, a substantial increase from previous years. This growth demonstrates the rising interest and success of women in the franchising sector.

Rapid Growth and Economic Impact: Between 2011 and 2017, female franchise ownership surged by an impressive 83%, far outpacing the 13% increase in male ownership. This trend continues, with women-owned businesses now accounting for 39.1% of all U.S. businesses, employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue.

Diversity in Ownership: Women of color are at the forefront of this entrepreneurial wave, accounting for 50% of all women-owned businesses in the U.S. and representing 89% of the net new women-owned businesses per day. This diversity is bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the franchising industry.

High Satisfaction Rates: Female franchise owners report high levels of satisfaction with their businesses. According to a recent survey, 87% of female franchise owners enjoy operating their businesses and would recommend their franchises to others. This high satisfaction rate underscores the appeal of franchising as a path to entrepreneurship for women.

Overcoming Challenges: Despite facing hurdles such as access to funding and balancing family responsibilities, women entrepreneurs in franchising have demonstrated remarkable resilience and business acumen. The average SBA loan granted to female franchisees has increased by 22.5% between 2013 and 2017, indicating improved access to capital.

As more women look toward franchising as a path to business ownership, the importance of a strong support system and proven business model cannot be overstated. We Sell Restaurants continues to attract driven entrepreneurs looking for an opportunity that offers financial independence, professional growth, and work-life flexibility.

Women of We Sell Restaurants

We Sell Restaurants is proud to have a strong representation of successful women franchisees who bring diverse experiences and expertise to the brand. These accomplished professionals are making significant contributions to the restaurant industry and helping fellow entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of restaurant ownership.

Debra and Samantha Sawyer - Florida Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford

Debra Sawyer is a multi-unit Franchise Partner for We Sell Restaurants, overseeing the Kissimmee, Orlando, and Sanford regions. Together with her daughter Samantha, they form a dynamic duo with unparalleled expertise in the restaurant brokerage industry. Both Debra and Samantha are licensed real estate salespeople in Florida and have earned the prestigious designation of Certified Restaurant Broker®.

Debra's impressive background includes:

• Owning and operating 46 Sports Clips salons across four states
• Building 15 locations from the ground up and purchasing 31 stores through 17 deals
• Over a decade of experience as a CPA with two of the nation's largest public accounting firms
• Serving as lead editor and instructor for a CFP® Certification Examination textbook company

Samantha brings her own unique perspective:

• Five years of experience in the restaurant industry, specializing in guest services
• Graduating in Spring 2025 with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Real Estate from the University of Central Florida
  
  

Doreen Gorman - Arizona Glendale and Scottsdale

Doreen Gorman serves as the We Sell Restaurants Franchise Partner for the Glendale and Scottsdale areas in Arizona. With a career spanning over two decades in the restaurant and hospitality industries, Doreen brings a wealth of experience to her role:

• Owned and operated five restaurants in both quick-service and full-service sectors
• Spent over 20 years in marketing and outside sales roles
• Recognized as the top sales representative in her division at US Foods
• Earned the prestigious Certified Restaurant Broker® designation
  
  

Tamara Hamilton - Texas Houston

Tamara Hamilton is the We Sell Restaurants Multi-Unit Franchise Partner for North and Northwest Houston, Texas. Her impressive background includes:

• Nearly 30 years of experience in restaurant management, training, ownership, and franchise development
• Worked with renowned brands such as Papa John's, Genghis Grill, Firehouse Subs, First Watch, and Just Love Coffee Café
  
  

Emily Benedict - South Carolina Charleston

Emily Benedict brings over 30 years of experience to her role as a Certified Restaurant Broker® with We Sell Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina. Her background includes:

• Extensive experience in commercial contracting, business development, and marketing
• Recognition as an award-winning Realtor®
• Former owner of Charleston Gateway, a tourism magazine that documented Charleston's evolution into a culinary destination
  
  

Emily's unique perspective on Charleston's restaurant scene stems from her diverse experiences:

• Witnessed the growth and development of Charleston's culinary landscape firsthand
• Gained insights into what makes restaurants successful in the local market
• Developed expertise in marketing properties effectively to potential buyers

As a Certified Restaurant Broker®, Emily leverages her background to:

• Connect restaurant buyers and sellers in Charleston's dynamic market
• Identify key factors that make restaurants stand out to potential buyers
• Apply her marketing skills to showcase properties effectively

Emily's success in the field is evident from recent transactions including facilitating the sale of a Subway franchise in Mt. Pleasant SC in November 2023.

Robin Gagnon - Co-Founder & CEO

Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, leading it as the nation's only business broker franchise specializing exclusively in restaurant sales. Under her leadership:

• The brand has expanded nationwide across 45 states.
• It dominates both restaurant-for-sale marketplaces and franchise resales.
• Robin’s vision is clear: "Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else."
  
  

A recognized leader within franchising:

• She serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association (IFA) as Chair of its Franchisor Forum.
• Previously chaired IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee.
  
  

Her credentials include:

• MBA
• Certified Franchise Executive (CFE)
• Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) from the International Business Brokers Association
  
  

Gagnon co-authored Appetite for Acquisition, which won a Small Business Book Award in 2012. She is frequently cited by major publications such as Forbes and QSR Magazine for her insights into franchising.

Her accolades include:

• Named one of Entrepreneur’s “Top Influential Women in Franchising”
• Recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of its “Most Influential Suppliers”
• Recently awarded IFA’s Crystal Compass Award for outstanding contributions to franchising
  
  

Under her leadership:

• We Sell Restaurants has been listed on INC’s list of fastest-growing privately held companies for three consecutive years.
• Franchisees have ranked it among Top 50 franchises nationwide according to Franchise Business Review’s annual satisfaction survey.
  
  

These women exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and industry expertise that We Sell Restaurants values in its franchise partners. Their success stories demonstrate opportunities available for women within restaurant brokerage while reflecting We Sell Restaurants' commitment to fostering an inclusive network.

For the complete list of the 2025 Top Franchises for Women visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com.