Exemplifying The American Dream

Richard F. Eggleton is a classic example of American entrepreneurship, and typifies those who have achieved the American Dream of success through business ownership. He launched his first business, Great Western Pacific Corporation, at the age of 24 in 1971 and has remained self-employed as an entrepreneur and turnaround specialist since that time. Now, Richard utilizes his entrepreneurial experience every day in relating to individuals who are exploring franchise opportunities as an alternative career path or means of diversification.

Richard's road to success grew with the annual sales of Great Western Pacific Corporation, as he developed the company to $12 million in annual sales from 1971 to 1979, in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Recognizing the importance of the development of the Seattle waterfront to his company's success, Richard became the youngest member of the mayor's Seattle Waterfront Development Commission. His company's credits include the design of the Waterfront Park, the Aquarium, and the Waterfront Trolley Line, all Seattle landmarks today. He also developed Miner's Landing at Pier 57, a popular downtown tourist entertainment center. Eager to move on to new challenges, Richard sold his interest in Great Western Pacific Corporation to his partner in 1979, and opened Richard F. Eggleton Associates, a consulting firm.

The focus of Richard Eggleton's consulting effort was helping small business entrepreneurs grow their businesses, putting together marketing strategies, financing packages and operating systems and manuals, and assisting in turnaround and debt restructuring, a talent he still draws on in his work with Frannet.

In 1982 he purchased a minority share of Property Security Services, Inc., (Secure Services), an electronic security system design, installation and monitoring company located in Seattle, Washington. He grew the company from a $300,000 annual sales base to $3.5 million in sales, achieving the rank of the number one electronic security business in the Pacific Northwest within five years.

During his eight years as Executive Vice President of Secure Services, Richard started and sold four other businesses. In 1990, he was asked to become Chief Executive Officer of Edelstein Associates Advertising, Inc., which was losing approximately $500,000 per year. He stayed with the firm for fifteen months, turning around the annual loss to a $1 million profit. A true entrepreneur, Richard downsized himself and left Edelstein, returned home to Southern California, and became involved with Franchise Network USA, a company formed in 1987, and growing slowly throughout California. Now there are more than 50 FranNet offices across the nation.

When Richard joined the Franchise Network team , he was the seventh individual in the country to open a Franchise Network office. He adopted the FranNet name for operating purposes, wanting to develop FranNet as the household word for franchise advice in the Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino areas, his designated territory.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Richard serves as Vice Chairman & COO of Board of Directors of Franchise Network USA, and is Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee for FranNetUSA. He is Past-President of the Stanford Business School Alumni Association, Orange County Chapter. Richard served for more than 15 years on the Board of Directors and for two terms was President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, Washington, and has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Ana.. He's a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Educational Background

Richard Eggleton is a graduate of Stanford Business School and the University of Washington MBA program. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Business and Economics from Chapman University in Orange, California.