37 papa john's + 34 outbacks + multiple car dealerships = my kind of entrepeneur

Well sure, diversifying helps reduce your risk, but also brings in extra expenses. Keeping the franchise in as few states as possible reduces the mgmt costs. Perhaps he also was able to purchase them in bulk for a better price then if he spread out all over the place. I image as well that he would sell a franchise to cut his loses if it started to fail.

 

my family has a few franchises and with most of our eggs in one basket and we're doing just fine even though the entire market is down

 

When you own a franchise you truly have to know the business of that franchise. A MickeyD's doesn't operate like Wendy's, BK doesn't operate like Carl's Jr, etc. It would be really inefficient to own one store of 34 different franchises.

If you eat at Subway chances are they are owned by one of the two Agrawal brothers. They own 375 Subway's in the state of Texas, most of which are in Houston. Those are some damn smart businessmen for you.

 

Where do you think he rank among the greatest Jayhawks players?