Jerry Akers

Double Feature: The Franchise Playbook: Secrets to Thriving in Your First Year & Franchise Success from Day One: Essential Steps for New Owners

Jerry Akers, a farm boy from Iowa turned franchise expert, has spent over 20 years building and growing multiple brands. Starting with Great Clips and expanding to The Joint
Chiropractic, he now oversees 34 locations and has successfully brought his family into the business, with the second generation (G2) now involved in building a lasting legacy and
generational wealth. A former corporate turnaround specialist, Jerry is also the co-author of the bestselling book Live it 2 Own It. Today, he leads ZDynamix, where his team helps
franchisees achieve their next level of success.

The Franchise Playbook: Secrets to Thriving in Your First Year

Your first year as a franchise owner is crucial to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has built 34 locations across Great Clips and The Joint Chiropractic and knows what it takes to thrive from day one. In this session, Jerry shares proven strategies for building brand awareness, managing costs, avoiding pitfalls, and successfully implementing franchise system guidelines. Drawing from his experience scaling franchises and creating generational wealth, he’ll help you lay a strong foundation for long-term success. Walk away with a clear roadmap for thriving in your first year and expert insights to hit the ground running and build a thriving business.

Franchise Success from Day One: Essential Steps for New Owners
Starting a franchise is exciting but getting it right from day one is key to long-term success. Jerry Akers, a former corporate turnaround specialist turned multi-brand franchisee, has spent 20+ years building thriving businesses, including Great Clips and The Joint Chiropractic, now with 34 locations. In this session, Jerry shares essential first steps for new franchise owners, from mastering the franchise system and financial responsibilities to building customer relationships and local marketing strategies. He’ll also discuss long-term planning and creating generational wealth, drawing from his own journey of bringing family into the business. Attendees will leave with a practical roadmap to launch, grow, and sustain a successful franchise. If you're ready to take the leap into franchise ownership, this session will give you the tools to start strong and build a thriving business.