Eric and Kelly Bjorkman, owners of FYZICAL Lincoln and FYZICAL North Cotner, NE, didn’t just build a business—they built two thriving practices with the support of FYZICAL and its strong franchisee network behind them. For the past eight years, they have relied on FYZICAL’s franchisee network for more than just business strategies—it has been a source of meaningful connections, expert guidance, and long-term success. Along with FYZICAL's unwavering support and industry expertise, their ongoing collaboration with FYZICAL franchisees has helped them navigate challenging decisions, expand their reach, and build something greater than they ever imagined.
"We take a holistic approach to patient care...and we view the FYZICAL franchisee network the same way. The connections Eric and I have made through FYZICAL go beyond just professional relationships—we all see each other as whole individuals."
-Kelly Bjorkman, FYZICAL Owner
Q: Let’s start with your journey before FYZICAL. What led you and Eric to the franchise, and how did your backgrounds shape your path?
Kelly: I spent 20 years in education before joining the business in 2020. My husband, Eric, began his physical therapy career working with a therapist in 2000. In 2004, he opened a clinic with her and, two years later, purchased the clinic from her. He operated it under a different name before transitioning that location to FYZICAL in 2015. In April 2023, we came full circle, acquiring a second FYZICAL clinic—the very one where Eric started his career back in 2000.
Acquiring that clinic felt like returning to where it all began. Taking it over felt surreal, and some patients even remembered him from his early days as a PT. It was a truly meaningful milestone.
Q: What inspired you to join FYZICAL, and how has being part of a franchise community shaped your journey as clinic owners?
Kelly: We were drawn to FYZICAL because of the like-minded professionals who shared our passion for patient care. We loved the holistic model that Jim Abrams introduced. At the time, as a small clinic with just one practitioner, Eric was looking for a strong network of like-minded people—one where he could build relationships and grow alongside others. The business matrix also caught our attention—since physical therapists don’t receive business training in school, we needed guidance on how to grow a successful practice while maintaining high-quality patient care.
FYZICAL provided the perfect solution.
Q: Specifically, how has FYZICAL’s business model and support system helped bridge the gap in business training for you as clinic owners?
Kelly: Our Franchise Regional Consultants (FRCs) have been incredibly helpful. One of the biggest challenges is that therapists don’t always know how to track their numbers. Once we understood this, we could pinpoint our problem areas.
When we first joined, we had two clinics, but after reviewing the numbers, we realized one of the locations wasn’t feasible and had to close it down. Once we started with FYZICAL, our FRCs were a huge help in figuring out the business. They really guided us through the "10-Point Management System" and "Pillars of Success" and how to follow through on them. Instead of just saying, "There’s a problem, now what?" the focus shifted to, "How do we fix it?"
"We were drawn to FYZICAL because of the like-minded professionals who shared our passion for patient care."
-Kelly Bjorkman, FYZICAL Owner
Q: You mentioned wanting to grow alongside a strong community of professionals. How has the FYZICAL franchisee network supported your progress?
Kelly: They're always there to answer questions—whether about business, patients, or even something personal. At FYZICAL, we take a holistic approach to patient care, addressing everything from a muscular issue that led to a fall to a pelvic issue that caused instability.
And we view the FYZICAL franchisee network the same way.
The connections Eric and I have made through FYZICAL go beyond just professional relationships—we all see each other as whole individuals. You’re not just a business owner, a CEO, an operations leader, or a clinician; each part of you needs to be nurtured. But just as important, you have to feed the personal side, too. Not everyone gets that kind of support in a business—but that’s exactly what I’ve found here.
Q: How has being part of FYZICAL’s franchisee network helped you break out of the traditional solo practice mindset and shape the way you run your business?
Kelly: Building these relationships is key to growth. If you’re a solo practitioner or running a small business and don't branch out to see what others are doing, you’re stagnant—you won’t grow.
Physical therapists often practice in their own little shell. I equate it to homeschooling—you’re only going to be as smart as the person teaching you. If the same person guides you throughout your career, you only gain so much knowledge. That’s why, in education, you have many different teachers. In physical therapy, you’re only as good as you can be unless you branch out and listen to others.
Q: Transitioning from an individual practice to being part of a larger network comes with new opportunities and success strategies. What motivated you to open a second location, and how did you approach that expansion?
Kelly: Our first center had grown to capacity, but we also saw an opportunity to touch another market in town. I think people need to really analyze their clinic makeup and consider how they can serve different areas. That’s what’s so interesting—each of our clinics has its own unique identity in terms of the patients we treat and the care we provide. You have to let each location develop its own personality to some extent. 
For us, opening a second clinic wasn’t just about expansion—it was about making expert care more accessible. We know we’re specialists and provide exceptional care. Everyone deserves access to that—not just the high-volume clinics pushing patients through every 30 minutes.
The reputation we’ve built speaks for itself. Our current vestibular specialist came to us from Athletico because we were known as the best in vestibular care. We have a student who did a clinical with us who will be joining us in March—she did not want to interview anywhere else. That speaks volumes.
Q: For single-unit owners considering expansion, what key factors should they consider before opening a second location?
Know your market first—location is key. Too often, people go for the shiny, beautiful space instead of focusing on the right positioning. That building might look great, but it won't serve you well if it’s in the wrong spot.
"Building these relationships is key to growth. If you’re a solo practitioner or running a small business and don't branch out to see what others are doing, you’re stagnant—you won’t grow."
-Kelly Bjorkman, FYZICAL Owner
Our clinics are very different as far as who we treat, and we never shy away from the payer mix. Some hesitate, saying, "Oh, that’s a Medicaid population," or "That’s a factory worker population." Still, you never know how things will change. A factory worker today could own their own business in 10 years. A Medicaid patient now might have a top-tier Blue Cross plan in a couple of years. You have to think long-term and factor in those dynamics.
And one big piece of advice—don’t open a second location until your first one is truly stable. Expansion is exciting, but it has to be strategic. When we started looking for our second location, FYZICAL was incredibly helpful. They provided excellent support throughout the process, and Buxton confirmed it was a solid location. Now, as we plan to move our first clinic just across the street—catty-cornered to where it is now, FYZICAL once again is helping us to secure space and negotiate the best deal. Their support has been invaluable.
Q: Has being part of the FYZICAL franchise positioned you to build a strong, trusted reputation in your community?
Kelly: FYZICAL has helped our business - absolutely! Our growth has been on an upward trajectory the entire time we've been with FYZICAL. We are fully immersed in balance, and it has made a real impact. One of our clinics gets direct referrals from the ER right across the street. They’ll call us and say, “We can’t fix them—can you?” and send patients our way, even though they have vestibular care in the hospital.
So, we have made a name for ourselves with balance. If people join FYZICAL and don't take on the balance, they really have missed the boat, in my opinion.
We see a mix of patients, but one therapist specializes in vestibular patients all day long. Eric always says that our business skyrocketed even more once I joined it, and we both focused on the same goal rather than juggling two different careers.
Q: Do you have plans to grow beyond your two clinics?
We’ve got our eyes on another part of town. I think Lincoln could probably support four locations. Our two clinics are more central, but we see opportunities on the east and north sides of town. Eric and I have also talked about expanding beyond Lincoln—we know someone out west in Nebraska, and we’d love to help her open a clinic there. So, we’ll see where things go!
"If we hadn’t joined FYZICAL, I truly believe Eric would have been a one-man show for a long time—just grinding away and not feeling fulfilled."
-Kelly Bjorkman, FYZICAL Owner
Q: Looking back on your journey, how has FYZICAL transformed your business and your vision for what was possible?
I credit this to FYZICAL, without a doubt. I think Eric always knew he wanted to work for himself, but I don’t think he dreamed that he’d have the number of practitioners on staff that we do.
When we joined FYZICAL, we were leaving another business that had overshadowed the physical therapy side entirely. We were starting from rock bottom. If we hadn’t joined FYZICAL, I truly believe Eric would have been a one-man show for a long time—just grinding away and not feeling fulfilled.
FYZICAL gave him the tools he knew he needed. He already had a business mindset, but they provided the structure—helping him track numbers, understand referral patterns, and ensure the right number of visits per plan of care. That gave him the confidence and clarity to grow and make real progress.
More than just knowledge, FYZICAL reinforced what he already knew deep down: "I’m good at what I do, and I can build something great." So yes, I absolutely credit FYZICAL for that.
I don’t think we’d be where we are today without them.
Thank you for your time.
Eric and Kelly Bjorkman were nominated for FYZICAL 2023 Franchise of the Year for their hard work and dedication. Watch the video below to hear what this honor means to them and how they've created an atmosphere in their clinics where patients and staff feel like family.
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