Burger Branch

After working eight years climbing the corporate ladder after spending five years moving up in the military ranks, Emily and Jack Kemp realized they didn't want to wait any longer to get to the top. So they decided to buy their own business.

The couple wanted to find an opportunity that mirrored the military structure to which they had become accustomed. They landed on quick-service restaurants, where they manage teams similar in size to an Army platoon.

For two-and-a-half years, the couple searched for franchise opportunities, looking for the right brand with the right deal. Evaluating data and information from bankers, brokers, industry publications, conferences and brand materials, they considered 74 different deals in the burger space before eventually landing on Hardee's.