Going Viral And Growing Because Of It

For most startups, going viral is the dream.

For many who are lucky enough to make virality happen, it’s also where things break.

A sudden flood of attention can expose weak systems and overwhelm small teams, but for long-time Flamel customer Another Nine, a viral moment became the catalyst for explosive franchise growth. Simply put, their team was prepared to capitalize on it.

On a recent episode of Brain Food, Brett Jewell, Co-Founder & COO of Another Nine, shared how one unexpected podcast mention dramatically accelerated the company’s growth and what founders can learn from scaling during moments of rapid momentum.

The Viral Moment They Never Saw Coming

Another Nine had already begun gaining traction with its 24/7 self-service indoor golf concept by solving a major accessibility problem for golfers. Private simulator suites, automated scheduling, a staff-free space and a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels helped the concept resonate quickly with customers and franchise prospects alike.

But then a huge turning point came unexpectedly.

An advisor to the company mentioned Another Nine during an episode of My First Million, a massive business podcast with a highly engaged entrepreneurial audience.

The founders had no idea the mention was coming. Then. suddenly, their inboxes and Slack notifications exploded. At first, Brett assumed their website was being spammed by bots. Franchise inquiries were pouring in rapidly, dozens at a time, from people all across the country. But the leads were real.

Listeners connected immediately with the concept. Within days, Another Nine had generated hundreds of qualified franchise inquiries.

Going Viral Only Helps If You’re Ready For It

One of the biggest lessons Brett learned is that virality alone is not enough. Many businesses experience spikes in attention, but far fewer successfully convert that attention into sustainable growth. Another Nine was able to capitalize on the moment because they had already started building scalable infrastructure behind the scenes.

Even when the company was small, its founders focused heavily on:

• Documenting processes
• Building operational systems
• Creating onboarding frameworks
• Planning organizational structure
• Thinking ahead about scale

So when the flood of leads arrived, they weren’t starting from zero. That preparation allowed them to move quickly instead of becoming overwhelmed.

Virality Forces Companies To Grow Up Fast

The viral moment accelerated nearly every aspect of the business. Hiring timelines that were originally planned months into the future suddenly became immediate priorities.

The company rapidly expanded areas like:

• Franchise onboarding
• Marketing leadership
• Real estate and construction support
• Revenue programs
• Franchise success management

Brett described the experience as realizing, in real time, which parts of the business were becoming fragile under pressure. The growth forced the company to mature operationally almost overnight. But instead of resisting that pressure, the team leaned into it.

The Real Secret Behind Sustainable Viral Growth

At the center of Another Nine’s success is something surprisingly simple: They never lost sight of the original problem they were solving.

Despite rapid expansion and growing national attention, the company remains focused on the same mission, making golf more accessible, comfortable and approachable.

That clarity helps guide decision-making even during periods of intense growth, because while viral moments can create momentum, long-term success still depends on delivering consistent value.

Growth Requires More Than Short-Term Momentum

Going viral can create opportunity. But sustainable growth comes from having the right systems, processes and operational structure already in place before momentum hits.

Another Nine’s story is a reminder that rapid growth doesn’t just test your product. It tests your workflows, communication, onboarding, marketing and ability to scale without losing what made the business work in the first place.

Whether businesses are scaling locations, building marketing systems or exploring AI tools, the companies that grow successfully are usually the ones that prepare before the pressure arrives.

If you’re thinking about how technology, automation, and scalable systems fit into your own business growth, check out our blog, What Franchisees Should Ask Before Using AI for Marketing. It breaks down the key questions franchise operators should ask before implementing AI tools and how to build smarter systems that can support long-term growth. So when your brand’s viral moment happens, you already have the right systems in place.