What It Takes To Succeed in Franchises and Acquisitions With Zahoor Kareem

Zahoor Kareem is the Co-founder of K&L Capital, a private investment firm that acquires and grows small to midsized non-tech businesses. With a background spanning logistics, franchising, and business services, Zahoor focuses on building sustainable companies that thrive beyond their original owners. Over the years, he has led multiple successful acquisitions and divestitures, bringing operational excellence and long-term value to each venture. Zahoor is passionate about empowering teams, creating enduring businesses, and giving back through thoughtful entrepreneurship.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:53] Zahoor Kareem shares his first entrepreneurial experience recycling juice cups for profit
[6:33] How Zahoor paid for college by launching creative campus businesses
[9:47] Viewing capital accumulation as a strategic and purpose-driven game
[19:39] Lessons Zahoor learned from acquiring and operating a FedEx delivery business
[29:30] How Zahoor transitioned into the water and fire mitigation industry with franchise acquisitions
[37:11] Building businesses that prioritize hope, resilience, and employee well-being

In this episode…

What does it really take to thrive in the high-stakes world of business acquisitions and franchise operations? Many entrepreneurs jump in, only to face unexpected pitfalls, rising costs, or the harsh reality of customer concentration. So, how can you build businesses that not only survive but scale successfully across industries?

According to Zahoor Kareem, a seasoned entrepreneur and acquisitions expert, success comes from focusing on businesses with clear, simple operating models and opportunities for improvement. He highlights the importance of balancing hands-on involvement in the early stages with long-term systems that allow the business to thrive without the owner. This approach reduces dependency risks and builds sustainable growth. Zahoor also emphasizes learning from past mistakes, quickly identifying deals worth pursuing, and maintaining a deep commitment to taking care of the people inside the business.

In this episode, host John Corcoran sits down with Zahoor Kareem, Co-founder of K&L Capital, to discuss what it takes to succeed in franchises and acquisitions. They explore Zahoor’s approach to evaluating deals, building resilient teams, and overcoming hidden challenges. Zahoor also shares insights on transitioning into new industries and creating businesses centered on long-term value.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments

“Capital accumulation is a game, right? I think ultimately for me it’s like, how do you acquire?”
“I can start something from scratch, but I don’t want to, nor do I like to.”
“You attract bees with honey, and that line has stuck with me ever since then.”
“If I get hit by a bus today, the business still continues without relying on me.”
“We’re actually in the business of taking care of our people, so they take care of customers.”

Action Steps

Prioritize businesses with simple, understandable models: Focusing on straightforward operations reduces complexity and improves your ability to identify improvement areas.
Build systems that operate without you: Creating self-sufficient businesses ensures long-term sustainability and reduces risk tied to the owner.
Learn from past acquisition mistakes: Reflecting on what went wrong sharpens future deal evaluations and strengthens overall investment strategies.
Focus on employee well-being and support: Investing in your people drives customer satisfaction, operational success, and long-term business resilience.
Stay open to new industries and opportunities: Expanding beyond familiar sectors fosters innovation and diversifies your portfolio for greater stability.

Sponsor for this episode…

EO San Francisco

This episode is brought to you by EO San Francisco.

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 14,000+ influential business owners with 198 chapters in 61 countries.

If you are the founder, co-founder, owner, or controlling shareholder of a company generating over $1 million a year in revenues, and want to connect with other like-minded successful entrepreneurs, EO is for you.

The EO San Francisco chapter enables leading entrepreneurs in the Bay area to learn, grow, and achieve greater success.

The EOSF chapter was founded in 1991, and today we have over 100 members in industries ranging from marketing to agriculture to tech and professional services.

To learn how it works, or to come do a test drive come join us at www.eonetwork.org/sanfrancisco/.

This episode is also brought to you by my company, Pacific Crest Group.

Pacific Crest Group provides outsourced CFO, Controller, and bookkeeping services. You can learn more about us at https://www.pcg-services.com/

Rise25

Want to Start a Podcast?

At Rise25, we’re committed to helping you connect with your Dream 200 referral partners, clients, and strategic partners through our done-for-you podcast solution.

With our proven system, all you need is an idea and a voice — we handle the rest. Rise25 takes care of strategy, production, and distribution, ensuring your podcast drives ROI.

We simplify distribution by sharing your episodes across 11 unique platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Plus, we create episode copy and promote your show on social media.

Co-founders Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran credit podcasting as the best thing they’ve done for their business, connecting them with the founders and CEOs of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, RxBar, YPO, EO, Lending Tree, FreshBooks, and many more. Podcasting builds deep relationships — many guests have become business partners and lifelong friends.

We work only with committed entrepreneurs ready to leverage podcasting for partnerships, clients, and referrals. Ready to launch?