This study tests the hypothesis that FFCFs use less debt because founding family CEOs are more averse to control risk, the risk of losing control. Control risk increases with leverage because of the higher probability of bankruptcy that is associated with higher leverage. We examine a subset of public family-controlled firms in which the founding family plays a strong and direct role: firms whose CEO is the founder or related to the founder. Looking at these firms, therefore, should lead to a better understanding of distinctive financial characteristics of founder (entrepreneur) owned and operated firms, especially in the context of their control incentives and risks. Finally, we show that ignoring the founding family control factor in the analysis of firms' leverage policies omits an important factor common to many firms and may lead to an incomplete or incorrect understanding of financing decisions in cross-sectional studies of firms.