About GoFranchise

GoFranchise was founded by Mike Handy, a lifelong entrepreneur, franchisor, and franchise consultant with more than 30 years of experience buying, building, franchising, and selling over 150 businesses. Driven by what he calls “an entrepreneur’s spirit and a servant’s heart,” Mike created GoFranchise to help others achieve the same freedom and fulfillment that business ownership has brought him.

From its beginning, GoFranchise was built around one clear philosophy: we only succeed when our clients, partners, and vendors succeed. Our business model was designed to create win-win relationships—connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with proven franchise brands, guiding emerging franchisors through strategic growth, and empowering our team of consultants and recruiters to build meaningful careers while helping others do the same.

GoFranchise is proudly part of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)—the world’s largest franchise broker network. Mike Handy has been a contributing member since its inception and continues to play an active role in the organization as a trainer and program developer, having authored and co-created the original Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) training curriculum that has helped hundreds of consultants launch successful careers.

Today, GoFranchise represents an elite team of dedicated franchise consultants, recruiters, and support professionals who share a common mission: to change people’s lives through business ownership. We bring decades of combined experience, deep relationships with top-performing franchise brands, and a culture rooted in ethics, diligence, and genuine care.

At GoFranchise, we believe life is short—so it should be fun, financially rewarding, and filled with purpose.

30+

Years Experience

150+

Businesses Built

#1

IFPG Network

100%

Mission Driven

Our Story

Founded by Mike Handy, a lifelong entrepreneur

GoFranchise was founded by Mike Handy, a lifelong entrepreneur, franchisor, and franchise consultant with more than 30 years of experience buying, building, franchising, and selling over 150 businesses. Driven by what he calls “an entrepreneur’s spirit and a servant’s heart,” Mike created GoFranchise to help others achieve the same freedom and fulfillment that business ownership has brought him.

From its beginning, GoFranchise was built around one clear philosophy: we only succeed when our clients, partners, and vendors succeed. Our business model was designed to create win-win relationships.

GoFranchise is proudly part of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)—the world’s largest franchise broker network.

At GoFranchise, we believe life is short—so it should be fun, financially rewarding, and filled with purpose.

30+

Years Experience

150+

Businesses Built

#1

IFPG Network

100%

Mission Driven

Featured In

Our People

Experienced Franchise Advisors

An elite team dedicated to changing people’s lives through business ownership.

Mike Handy

CEO / Founder
Mike is a serial entrepreneur, consultant and corporate trainer with a passion for teaching, coaching and mentoring.

Susan Grace Fernandez

President
Susan Grace Fernandez is the President of GoFranchise Holdings, where she leads a dynamic team dedicated to

Haley Grace Handy

Senior Administrative Manager
As Senior Administrative Manager at GoFranchise, Haley Grace Handy is the operational engine behind the

Chelsie Charnet Maltez

Franchise Development Consultant
With nearly two decades of experience in the franchise industry, Chelsie Charnet Maltez is a seasoned

Nichole Iannicelli

Franchise Consultant
Nichole Iannicelli is an experienced Franchise Consultant with GoFranchise, where she helps individuals

Michael Handy

Franchise Recruiter
Michael Handy brings energy, discipline, and drive to the GoFranchise team. A former standout high school wrestler

Marshall Handy

Franchise Recruiter
Marshall Handy has grown up surrounded by the world of franchising, following in the footsteps of his father and mentor, Mike Handy

Meet Mike Handy: Highly Reputable Franchise Advisor

Mike is a serial entrepreneur, consultant and corporate trainer with a passion for teaching, coaching and mentoring. At IFPG, Mike shares his industry experience and expertise with our newest franchise consultants. He draws from his deep knowledge to teach the skills and tools necessary to become the best in the business.

Mike started OrderUp.com in 1991 and worked with local entrepreneurs to launch 84 restaurant delivery services in the United States and all around the world. In 2009, Mike started GoWaiter Franchise which quickly grew to more than 35 units in 11 states tracking over $10 million in sales. GoWaiter was acquired in 2013 and since then, Mike has worked as a Franchise Consultant and a Food Service Consultant. Many nationally-recognized franchise companies hire Mike to consult with their sales and operations. His vast success in the Restaurant Delivery Service Industry led Mike to his newest endeavor, as founder and CEO of Takeout Waiter Franchise System.

Mike’s insights on IFPG

“I feel that I am an entrepreneur with a servant’s heart. I knew early on that I wanted to be in business for myself with no limitations on my personal and business growth. As I bought, built, franchised and sold more than 150 businesses over the past 30 years, I realized that I also have a passion for training, motivating, coaching, consulting and helping people take their lives to the next level through business ownership. Working as an IFPG contributing member, Franchisor and Franchise Broker has allowed me to fulfill all of my professional aspirations. I am blessed to have this great opportunity to teach people how to offer such great opportunities.

Seven years ago I met the Founder and CEO of IFPG, Don Daszkowski. During our first conversation, we talked about our passion for improving the franchise industry by creating standards, procedures and best practices for Franchise Consultants/Brokers that were not only profitable for all involved but ethical as well. The one thing that impressed me most about Don was that he was a down to earth great guy and truly wanted to do the right thing. I’m proud to say that many years later, the IFPG Team maintains that culture.

I take the responsibility of training Franchise Brokers very seriously. I am dedicated to constantly upping my game, learning from my own experiences as well as my successful peers and enhancing the training I deliver so that Franchise Brokers/Consultants have the absolute best chance of success possible. I love the phrase, “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Well I care about the success of my trainees, and I will teach them everything I know in order for you to be successful.”

How GoFranchise advisors can help you?

GoFranchise has a proven 4 step process.

We’ll show you franchise opportunities you’d never explore on your own. An experienced franchise advisor stays on top of quality franchise brands, industry outlook, and can help identify potential shortfalls.

You owe it to yourself to figure out which franchise models best match your current talents, and we’ll help you filter through the thousands of options.

GoFranchise is very experienced in creative financing strategies. All too frequently, a person’s lifelong desire of owning a franchise is dashed by a loan officer at their local bank, who may have little or no experience financing to prospective franchisees.

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