How Jungle Driving Is Disrupting Driver’s Ed—and Saving Teen Lives With Zachery Beutler

A Mission-Driven Franchise with a Heart for Safety

In a special episode of the Close The Deal podcast, host Ewell Smith interviews Zach Butler, head of Jungle Driving—a driving school franchise that’s shaking up the tired driver’s ed model with something fresh, fun, and, more importantly, effective. If you're a parent dreading your teen’s first time behind the wheel—or an entrepreneur looking for a meaningful business—this episode delivers insight, impact, and a powerful opportunity.

A Rocky Start, a Powerful Comeback

Zach’s story begins with adversity. In his early 20s, he scaled seven nutrition retail stores before going bankrupt. That humbling experience led him to Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles, which instilled a core belief he still holds: take full accountability and relentlessly pursue personal growth. Vision boards. Conferences. Mentorship. Zach doubled down on development—and never looked back.

From Hog Barns to Franchising Veteran

Zach grew up steeped in grit and entrepreneurship. His grandfather built a livestock auction barn into a multimillion-dollar business. Zach learned young that no one should outwork you and that real-world hustle trumps formal education. He now has over 17 years of franchise experience, including stints as franchisee, franchisor, and consultant.

What Makes a Franchise Work? One Word: Accountability

Zach emphasizes that franchising isn’t a magic fix. Yes, systems and processes matter. But they don’t run the business—you do. Drawing from his early franchise experience, he developed a philosophy around micro-managing activity that drives results. Whether it was tracking weigh-ins at his nutrition stores or ensuring customer interactions followed the right script, Zach learned to trace revenue back to effort. That mindset now powers his leadership at Jungle Driving.

The Origin Story of Jungle Driving

Founded by Fred Westdale and a former architect of UPS's legendary driver safety program, Jungle Driving was designed to be fun and unforgettable. The program blends essential state curriculum with a gamified experience: drivers are classified as animals (watch out for the hyena!). The aim?

Help teens identify risk before it turns into disaster.

The results speak for themselves. While national stats show 80% of new teen drivers crash within three years, Jungle-trained teens see only a 20% rate. That’s more than a program—it’s a life-saving intervention.

What It’s Like for Teens and Parents

Kids don’t just survive Jungle’s training—they engage. The curriculum includes humor, games, visual storytelling, and a jungle-themed environment that’s a far cry from the soul-crushing DMV classroom most of us endured.

Parents are included too. The program offers ride-alongs and a dedicated “parent night” to ensure lessons are reinforced at home. The goal: build safer, smarter drivers with lasting habits—not just pass a test.

The Business Opportunity Behind the Mission

Jungle Driving is currently expanding through franchising. Here’s what a typical setup looks like:

• Investment Range: $190K to $313K (includes two cars)
• Facility Needs: 2,500–3,500 sq. ft. classroom
• Staffing: Starts with owner-operator + one instructor (or GM if semi-absentee)
• Revenue Example: Grand Ledge, MI location grossed $591K with 21% net profit—and that was at only 39% classroom utilization
• 
  

No Marketing? No Problem.

The brand’s original location did just one mailer. That’s it. The rest? Word of mouth. But Zach’s team has created a robust three-phase plan for franchisees:

1. Awareness: Events, school partnerships, and car wraps that look like jungle cats.
2. Conversion: Direct mail and digital ads targeting 15- and 16-year-olds.
3. Referral Machine: Teens can earn $50 per referral by sending QR invites linked to a CRM system—instant cash via Venmo. Brilliant.
4. 
   

Who Makes a Great Franchisee?

Forget suits and spreadsheets. Jungle Driving thrives with high-energy, community-minded couples who are active in schools, sports, and youth leadership. If you’re the coach, scout leader, or PTA favorite, this might be your calling. It’s not a fit for introverted back-office types—it’s about creating a memorable experience for families.

Wise Advice for Any Franchise Seeker

Zach shares three must-haves when evaluating a franchise:

1. Does the industry make money? (Hint: competition is a good sign.)
2. Can you picture yourself doing it daily?
3. Do you culturally align with the team behind it?

He warns against franchise models that default to "you didn’t follow the process" as an excuse for failure. If the process can’t support A-, B-, and C-level players, it’s not robust enough.

Final Thought: Start Sooner, Go Farther



Zach’s one regret? Not joining a peer support group sooner. Today, he’s a member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), where he meets monthly with other business owners for perspective, accountability, and wisdom.