The Franchisor Blueprint offers three tiers — The Blueprint ($2,997, DIY), Navigator ($8,500, coached), and Builder ($29,500, done-with-you). The two coached tiers solve different problems for different kinds of operators. Here's how to decide between Navigator and Builder.
Coached, $8,500 — you do the work, Jason guides you
Done-with-you, $29,500 — Jason and team build alongside you
Navigator fits founders who can devote 5-10 hours per week to building the franchise system — the coaching keeps them on track and catches mistakes. Builder fits founders whose time is fully consumed by their existing business and who need Jason's team to do the heavy lifting alongside them.
| Dimension | Navigator | Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,500 one-time (or $3,500 down + $1,000/mo × 6) | $29,500 |
| Engagement length | 6 months | 12 months |
| Your time commitment | 5-10 hours per week (you do the work; Jason guides) | 2-4 hours per week (Jason's team does most of the work) |
| Coaching cadence | Weekly 1:1 calls with Jason (24 calls total) | Twice-weekly calls plus async access to Jason and team |
| Document creation | You write the operations manual using the template; Jason reviews and gives feedback | Jason's team drafts the operations manual; you review and approve |
| FDD framework prep | You complete the framework with Jason's coaching; attorney finalizes | Jason's team completes the framework end-to-end; attorney coordination managed |
| Vendor coordination | Self-managed with Jason's recommendations | Fully managed — Jason's team handles attorney, CPA, designer relationships |
| First franchisee recruitment | Coaching on the funnel and Discovery Day; you execute | Hands-on recruitment assistance — sales scripts written for you, qualifying calls run with you, Discovery Day co-led |
| Time to franchise-ready | 6 months (with consistent weekly time investment) | 6-9 months (faster because team does heavy lifting) |
| "Franchise Ready" certification | Yes — issued at end of 6 months | Yes — issued at completion |
| Best fit | Founders with capacity to commit 5-10 hours/week; first-time franchisors who want hands-on learning | Founders whose existing business consumes most of their time; brands ready to scale fast with execution support |
| Upgrade path | Yes — Navigator price credits toward Builder if you upgrade mid-engagement | N/A (top tier) |
Builder is the highest-touch tier — done-with-you franchise system development with Jason's team. Book a 45-minute Builder fit call to walk through your specific situation and see if it's the right path.
Book a Builder fit callThe decision usually comes down to one question: how many hours per week can you genuinely commit to franchise development work over the next 6 months? If the answer is 5-10 hours and you can sustain it, Navigator. If the answer is 'I can find 2-4 hours but my existing business needs my full attention,' Builder. The single biggest predictor of failed franchise development isn't the program tier — it's the founder's ability to do the work consistently. Navigator works for founders who can. Builder works for founders who can't afford to wait until they can. Both deliver Franchise Ready certification at the end; the path is different.
Navigator ($8,500) is a coached program — you do the work (write the operations manual, complete the FDD framework) with weekly 1:1 coaching from Jason Stowe. Builder ($29,500) is done-with-you — Jason and his team draft the documents, manage vendor coordination, and assist with first franchisee recruitment, while you stay in your operator role.
Navigator typically takes 6 months for franchisors who consistently invest 5-10 hours/week. Builder takes 6-9 months but with substantially less of your time required (2-4 hours/week). Both end with Franchise Ready certification.
Yes. Your full Navigator investment ($8,500) credits toward the Builder price if you upgrade mid-engagement. Most upgrades happen around month 2-3 when the founder realizes their existing business demands more attention than they originally budgeted.
Yes — Navigator coaching covers the franchise sales funnel, Discovery Day structure, qualification scripts, and the close conversation. You execute it with coaching support. Builder goes further: Jason's team helps run qualifying calls with you and co-leads your first 1-2 Discovery Days.
If your existing business consumes most of your time, yes — the time you save by having Jason's team do the heavy lifting is worth more than $20K to most founders running operating businesses. If you have the time and discipline to do the work yourself with weekly coaching, Navigator delivers the same Franchise Ready outcome at $8,500.
Coached programs win on cost (5-10x cheaper), timeline (6 months vs 12-18+), and post-delivery support.
iFranchise Group serves Fortune 500 corporate franchise launches well — they have brand recognition, institutional credibility, and the staff to handle complex multi-stakeholder engagements.
Thirty minutes with someone who's spent 30 years in franchise development. We'll look at your specific situation and tell you which option actually fits — without the sales pitch.