Nick ShanklandBased in Colorado · serving clients nationwide
Nick Shankland spent 20 years building and running businesses before he ever advised anyone on buying one. He trained as an architect, then moved into professional kitchens, working from fine dining into multi-unit operations and national brand development across food service and hospitality. He founded and scaled his own concept, Gypsy Q, from a single food truck into a profitable, franchise-ready brand, and led enterprise operations across dozens of Colorado locations. That operator’s lens is what he brings to franchise consulting now. Based in Colorado, Nick helps first-time buyers and corporate professionals weighing ownership decide whether a franchise truly fits their goals, finances, and lifestyle. His approach is practical, education-first, and begins with a complimentary consultation.
My Journey
For nearly 20 years I worked across food, beverage, and hospitality at every scale, from small mom-and-pop shops to multi billion dollar corporations, and in nearly every role a business can hold. I have started companies from scratch, improved them, flipped them, and franchised them. Over time I noticed I lit up most in conversations with people exploring ownership, helping them think through their goals and the path ahead. I would rather guide someone in at the start than patch things up later, so that became the work.
Why work with Nick
I have built and run businesses, not just advised.
Twenty years as an operator: founding and scaling my own concept toward franchise-ready, running enterprise operations across dozens of locations. I know what ownership demands, because I have lived it.
I am a guide, not a salesperson.
I do not pitch brands or chase commission. I diagnose first, ask hard questions, and tell you honestly when franchising is not the fit. Clarity matters more than persuasion.
Everything runs through fit, your goals, your finances, your lifestyle.
We do not start with brands. We start with you, and only move forward when a model truly aligns with the life you want. Success, measured your way, not mine.
You get a connected ecosystem, not a solo advisor.
Behind me: a national network of consultants, corporate support, and referral partners across finance, legal, accounting, and operations. When things get hard, you are supported, never on your own.
Who Nick helps
The kinds of buyers and goals Nick specializes in:
- Corporate career-changers (in transition)
- First-time / first-generation owners
- Owner-operator (hands-on)
- Multi-unit & area development
- Build-to-sell / scalable ventures
- Immigrant & visa investors (E-2 / EB-5)
Let us have a complimentary, no pressure conversation about whether business ownership fits your goals, finances, and life.
Book a free consultationHow working with FranNet works
FranNet is one of the originals, and it still does this the right way. In an ecosystem full of shiny objects and bad actors, it is both a thought leader and an action leader making franchising reliable and honest. It also solved something for me. As a solopreneur, I never feel like I am on an island, since a national network of colleagues, corporate support, and brands stands behind me.
- 1
Consult & assess
We get clear on your goals, budget, and strengths, before looking at any brands.
- 2
Match & research
You review vetted franchise options that actually fit, with the numbers explained.
- 3
Introduce & validate
Meet franchisors, talk to owners, and review disclosures with guidance.
- 4
Decide & sign
Guidance through evaluation, validation, funding, and the franchise agreement, so you reach a confident signing decision.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to work with Nick?
Nothing. Working with Nick Shankland and FranNet is completely free. Franchise brands pay a fee to FranNet, not you. You get local, expert franchise guidance in Colorado at no cost, and franchise pricing is federally regulated, so there's never a mark-up for working with a consultant.
Do you help people find franchises in Colorado?
Yes. Nick Shankland works with aspiring owners across Colorado, matching local candidates with vetted franchise opportunities that fit their goals, budget, and lifestyle, and knowing which concepts tend to perform in this market.
What's the process for working with Nick?
It starts with a free consultation to understand your goals, budget, and strengths. From there Nick presents vetted franchise options that fit, facilitates introductions and validation with franchisors and existing owners, and supports you through evaluation, funding, and a confident signing decision.
How do I get started?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation using the scheduling link on this page. There's no cost and no pressure. It's simply a conversation about whether franchise ownership in Colorado is right for you.
Book your free consultation
Let us have a complimentary, no pressure conversation about whether business ownership fits your goals, finances, and life.