Finding Purpose Through Franchising: How Leigh Feldman of Young Chefs Academy Builds Joy, Leadership, and Opportunity

Franchising isn’t just about business ownership—it’s about finding purpose in what you create. Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, recently joined Rodric Lenhart on Million Dollar Flip Flops to share his path from classroom teacher to leader of youth-focused franchises, including Young Chefs Academy and Flour Power Studios. His journey reveals how passion, structure, and self-awareness can transform not only a business but a life.

The Maestro Mindset: Leading Without Playing Every Instrument

Feldman describes great franchisees as conductors, not soloists. “You don’t need to know how to play every instrument; you need to know how to lead the band,” he explains. The best owners understand how to direct a team, not micromanage it.

This leadership approach echoes the Young Chefs Academy model, where collaboration fuels success. Each franchise thrives when owners trust their staff, nurture relationships with families, and bring their community together around the joy of cooking for children.

Success, Feldman says, comes down to “90% following the system and 10% local adaptation.” Young Chefs Academy encourages a balance—structured culinary education for kids with the flexibility to reflect each community’s unique flavor.

The Myth of “Millions Needed”

Many aspiring entrepreneurs hesitate, assuming franchise ownership is out of reach. Feldman dismantles that belief: “Our concepts exist below $250K and under $400K on the high end.” With financing tools like SBA loans, HELOCs, and ROBS programs, the door to owning a Young Chefs Academy franchise is far more open than most imagine.

Each location becomes a hub for culinary learning, cooking classes for kids, hands-on workshops, and culinary camps designed to build skills and confidence. Parents discover that their children aren’t just mastering recipes—they’re cultivating leadership, teamwork, and independence.

For Feldman, that’s the heart of entrepreneurship: doing well while doing good. “I think youth enrichment is a fantastic space,” he says. “Teaching kids how to navigate a kitchen and introducing them to the joy of cooking—that’s incredibly valuable.”

Purpose as a Daily Compass

Feldman’s leadership philosophy centers on one question: Do you understand your purpose? Each day, he asks himself what goal or task drives his energy. Whether it’s a one-day plan or a yearlong mission, he believes that purpose gives meaning to every decision.

That clarity shapes how he leads Youth Franchise Brands and supports franchisees. It’s not about chasing profits—it’s about building something that matters. “Don’t chase money alone,” he says. “Find joy and purpose in what you build.”

A Path for Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs

For those curious about how to merge passion with profit, Young Chefs Academy offers a proven model and a supportive network. Franchise owners aren’t just teaching culinary lessons; they’re shaping futures, one child and one kitchen at a time.

From weekly cooking classes to school field trips and birthday parties filled with hands-on fun, Young Chefs Academy demonstrates that purpose and profit can—and should—coexist.

As Rodric’s mantra reminds us, “The true cost of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” Feldman’s journey is a testament to spending that life wisely—investing in purpose, people, and the pursuit of joy.