June 16, 2025
Episode 7: How Darren Wilstead Scaled The Back 9 Golf to 160 Locations with a 24/7 Franchise Model
Golf Meets Franchising: How The Back 9 Is Disrupting the Simulator Space with 24/7 Access & Scalable Tech
How did a golf hobby turn into one of the fastest-growing franchise concepts in the country? Discover how The Back 9 blends tech, convenience, and community in a 24/7 golf simulator experience—and why it’s not just a game, but a booming business.
Episode 7: How Darren Wilstead Scaled The Back 9 Golf to 160 Locations with a 24/7 Franchise Model
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Franchise Business Radio Show, Darren Wilstead, President of Sales at The Back 9, shares the story of a franchise that began as a side hustle among friends and has quickly evolved into a national brand with 160 territories sold in just two years. Built on passion and tech innovation, The Back 9 offers a hands-on business that runs 24/7 without requiring on-site staff—made possible by its proprietary app and automation software.
Darren dives into the key differentiators of The Back 9 model, including its exclusive partnership with Full Swing simulators (backed by Tiger Woods), low overhead, and software-first approach. He also opens up about the lessons learned during rapid expansion, the power of engaged franchisees, and why passion—not just for golf, but for growth—is the key to success in this booming sector.
What You’ll Learn
- The unique origin story behind The Back 9 franchise
- How their 24/7 tech-enabled model reduces overhead and increases flexibility
- Key advantages of their exclusive partnership with Full Swing (and Tiger Woods!)
- Why The Back 9 is more than just a “golf bar” concept
- Initial investment costs, fees, and expected returns
- Traits and profiles of successful franchisees
- Lessons learned from early growth and franchise scaling
- The importance of passion, even in “accidental” businesses
About the Guest
Darren Wilstead is the President of Sales for The Back 9, a cutting-edge indoor golf simulator franchise. With over a decade in sales leadership at Zimmer Biomet, Darren brought his corporate expertise into franchising, helping grow The Back 9 from its early days to a thriving brand with over 160 locations sold. He’s passionate about business development, sports, and building strong franchisee relationships
Episode Transcript
Expand to read the full conversation between Alesia Visconti and our host.
**Disclaimer
Information shared by Franchise Intellect, Pam Currie, and Shari Currie Skjoldager (“Franchise Sisters”) is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. No guarantees of performance or earnings are made. All investments involve risk and require independent due diligence.
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