Branches vs. Business Units: Structuring Your Organization for Multi-Site Scale (Episode 82)

Branches vs. Business Units: Structuring Your Organization for Multi-Site Scale (Episode 82)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston June 11, 2026 Duration: 1:09:28

When a security integration or locksmith business begins to scale geographically, leadership faces a massive, existential structural hurdle: Do you structure your new locations under autonomous branch managers, or do you organize by centralized product divisions (locksmithing, electronic security, and hollow metal doors)?

In Episode 82, Tony Hawkinson (Assured Security) takes the host seat to grill Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security) and Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe) on the precise operational friction points of managing distributed teams. The trio breaks down the mechanics of a formal Shared Services Model—centralizing bookkeeping, inventory procurement, and IT at headquarters while maintaining lean, highly agile local branch operations. Lars shares his real-world experience balancing corporate overhead across locations with a 5X revenue disparity, and Chad warns against a massive expansion blind spot: slow-rolling the elimination of legacy, low-margin service lines.


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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