About
Built it.
Built it.
Ran it.
Owned it.
I've spent my career in fitness, retail and franchising, on both sides of the table. Now I help people find a business worth owning.
I've been
on both sides.
Before operations, I was a professional musician. I ran my own private music studio as an independent business owner and taught in public high schools. That studio is where I fell in love with owning a business, and it's a big part of why franchising makes sense to me. Teaching is still at the heart of how I work with buyers.
I've run big operations for brands like Equinox, Peloton and Palm Beach Tan. I've also signed the franchise agreement myself, built a multi-unit business and led a Franchise Advisory Council. I know what owning a franchise feels like on day one and in year five.
Today I'm one of four Executive Advisors at Franchise Sidekick. I help buyers look past the spreadsheet and evaluate the people they'll be in business with for the next decade. I will never tell you what to buy. I help you ask better questions and decide on your terms.
Outside of work, I train hard, test my bloodwork and track everything, and I share it openly through The Health Edge. Same discipline, different arena.
How I work
Mission
Mission
over commission.
I don’t believe every person should buy a franchise. My responsibility is to help you evaluate your options honestly, even when the right decision is not to move forward.
Career highlights
-
Franchise SidekickExecutive Advisor
One of only four advisors to reach Executive Advisor. I guide buyers through discovery and purchase, write the playbooks our advisors use and coach a team of about 15 advisors.
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Franchise ownerMulti-unit franchise area developer
Bought into a system, built a team and served as president of the Franchise Advisory Council. I know what it is to sign the agreement and live with the relationship.
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Focus ConsultingOwner · Franchise operations & sales
Ran my own operations, process and sales consulting practice: sales training, process improvement, expense control and SOP development. Lifted market performance 40–60% in eight weeks and cut costs 20–40% through better systems, training and vendor management.
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Flicks Management CoDirector of Franchise Operations · Senior Operations Consultant
A specialty retail consulting group focused on franchise development and operations. Ran full operations for franchise and specialty retail outlets across multi-state markets, from HR and marketing to P&L and vendor management.
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PelotonSVP and General Manager
Led the launch of Peloton Studio Three.
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Equinox ChicagoGeneral Manager
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Palm Beach TanDirector of Stores
Also: Orangetheory Fitness.
Recognition
- Two-time Sidekick Superstar Award
Franchise Sidekick · 2024 and 2025 - Sidekick Certified
Renewed annually · Mission over Commission - 166 territories
57 cities · 21 states
In brief
Jason Rutledge is an Executive Advisor at Franchise Sidekick, based in Dallas, Texas, where he helps people explore and evaluate franchise ownership. He is one of only four advisors at the firm to reach Executive Advisor status and a two-time Sidekick Superstar Award winner (2024 and 2025). Before joining Franchise Sidekick, he spent more than 25 years in operations and leadership across fitness, retail and franchising, including SVP and General Manager for the launch of Peloton Studio Three, General Manager of Equinox Chicago and Director of Stores at Palm Beach Tan. He is a former multi-unit franchisee and has served as president of a Franchise Advisory Council. Earlier in his career, he was a professional musician who ran his own private music studio as an independent business owner and taught in public high schools. Jason has a unique perspective as a consultant, operator, franchisee, multi-unit franchisee and advisor. In addition to franchising and business ownership, Jason is focused on healthy living, longevity and wellness. Through The Health Edge, he documents his own approach to training, testing, protocols and longevity.