Franchise Today

The Franchise Brokers Assn. website says, "The right opportunity changes lives. We’re committed to empowering people through honest franchise guidance so they can positively impact their communities through a business they love. We’re an elite group of franchise brokers committed to upholding the highest industry standards. We exist with a purpose and a passion, and that’s to empower people, businesses, and communities through secure franchise opportunities — and we do it all with a commitment to ethics, education, and proof. If you’re ready to chart your own course, we’ll hand you the compass." Sabrina Wall, Founder and CEO of the Franchise Brokers Association, here to tell us all about it.

This week we hear my friend Lenny Valentino at TBC Corp. When I first met Lenny back in 2016, he was Vice President of Global Franchise Development and Integration, across TBC’s portfolio of franchised brands. Those brands included Big O Tires and Midas. Then a little less than 2 years ago, Lenny was promoted to Vice President and General Manager for MIDA International, overseeing all aspects of the business with its 2100 or so franchised locations globally with some 1200 of those in North America. Well no surprise, Lenny's made his presence felt. Just last week, he was promoted to President and COO. If you pay close attention to this interview, a few things about Lenny Valentino will quickly become evident. His work ethic is amazing, his appetite to learn is voracious, his need to teach and improve the lives of people in his sphere of influence is extreme, and his respect for family, people, relationships all rank #1, right along with his need to systemize, organize, strategize, execute, succeed, then repeat. Lenny does it all and ihe does it all with very steady hands and a soft spoken demeanor. Lenny Valentino, this week on Franchise Today.

This weeek we hear from Jose Merille, about his amazing and inspiring story of the growth of Estrella Insurance. Once just a south Florida phenomenon, Estrella Insurance is now experiencing explosive growth, nationwide. Founded by Nicolas Estrella in 1980 after he enjoyed a successful career in the life and health insurance sector, Estrella Insurance started franchising in 2008. The company specializes in home, auto, and commercial insurance services that typically cover businesses, vehicles, and boats, and has expanded its reach with more than 175 franchised offices across the U.S. Estrella Insurance is one of the cheapest franchises to own. You'll benefit from more than forty years of professional customer service that Estrella Insurance has delivered since its existence. This is a great story and it is a pleasure having Estrella Franchising’s co-founder and President Jose Merille with us this week, to share it with us.

In an increasingly polarized world, one thing nearly all leaders agree upon is the foundational role that culture plays in organizational success. While we all may agree about its significance, understanding the real mechanics of culture and, more importantly, how to create and drive it has always been shrouded in mystery, until now. My guest this week is David J. Friedman, Founder and CEO of Culture Wise. David literally wrote the book, "Culture by Design," empowering leaders to operationalize their corporate cultures. David Friedman has done with culture what Michael E. Gerber has prescribed we do for all of the physical systems and processes in your business. Yes, he has created a system for turn-keying-culture and optimizing the behaviors of your people, teams and franchisees, to consistently drive the disciplines that are the backbone of your organization. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss, as we will unpack it all with Vistage's 2021 Speaker of the Year, Culture Wise Founder and CEO, David J. Friedman.

This week we hear from an old friend, colleague and boss for that matter, as Tutor Doctor President Frank Milner joins us to talk about their meteoric growth. Approaching 400 franchises around the world, there is still plenty of room to grow, says Frank. You will also hear Frank wax eloquently upon the magical world of support and interdependency that we call franchising, as it exists inside our business model, like no place else on the planet. Frank will also talk about the power of peers and groups like those that we form at ZorForum. Tutor Doctor provides one-on-one, in home tutoring services to students from Grade 1 all the way to the University level. And, Tutor Doctor continues to enjoy meteoric growth, with franchisees, operating more than 500 territories across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria and all across Latin America. Their vision is to become the undisputed giant of the supplemental education industry.

Robin Gagnon, a a member of my "Franchise Family Faves." In the past, she has been a savvy corporate marketer, a business executive and corporate retail strategist. Today, she is a franchisor, a Supplier and servant IFA leader. Robin Gagnon is the co-founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, the only exclusive, “restaurant specific” business brokerage franchise concept that I am aware of in America. Robin also chairs the Women’s Franchise Committee of IFA and is a member of the IFA Board of Directors. She holds an MBA from Appalachian State University, a Certified Franchise Executive designation from the IFA and has also earned a CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designation from the International Business Brokers Association. Robin also co-authored the award-winning book Appetite for Acquisition and contributes frequently to industry press, including Forbes, QSR, Modern Restaurant Management, and Franchise Update. Entrepreneur Media has named Robin Gagnon to their list of the “Top Influential Women in Franchising.”

It's Spring Break in America and right here, at Franchise Today! I'll be back next week with Robin Gagnon, Co-Founder and CEO of "We Sell Restaurants!" Until then, enjoy the break enjoy March Madness, I hope your brackets hold and I'll c-ya next week.

Trevor Rappleye is Founder, CEO at Franchise Filming. Franchise Filming is about more than just video production. It is more about storytelling, evoking emotion and communicating authenticity and happiness. Trevor and his team are passionate about breathing life into all of the B2B and B2C videos they produce for the franchise brands that they serve. They do it too, with a twist, offering their services on a subscription basis and they turn these videos around within an amazing 10 days of shooting them. Here to tell us all about it, Founder, CEO and Chief Story teller, Trevor Rappleye.

It all kicks off with FranChoice Founder and CEO Jeff Elgin. Then, Casey McKewen, Tim Evankovich, Mitch Cohen, Jonathan Benjamin, Ritchie Taylor, Jackie Adams, Charles Thurston, Mark Jameson, Tim Williams, Gregg Majewsky, Gary Prenovest, Dan Monaghan,Jim Thompson, Jack Monson, Clarissa Bradstock, Joe SIeve, Dave Crowley, Motaz Ibito, Dean Miller, Kit Vinson, Rogelio Martinez, Paul Pickett, Michelle ROwan, Paul Wolbert, Michael Seid, Thomas Scott, Mike Isakson, Eric Simon, Jim Atkinson, Ron Bender, John "Johnny Franchise" Francis, Omar Simmons, Steve Greenbaum, Gerry Henley, Scott Lehr, Tony Padulo,.. it's a Who's Who. Enjoy!

Anne Huntington Sharma brings a unique perspective and depth of experience to Huntington Learning Center. In her role as President, Anne is focused on the company’s digital transformation efforts, continued franchise expansion, developing strategic partnerships and serving as the company’s public-facing representative. In her previous role as Vice President of Business Development, Anne developed and executed programs and partnerships that positioned the company to help more students. Anne works with each department to ensure the company’s vision is carried out. She brings more than 10 years of proven experience in sales and business development within the fields of education and art. Top all that with the fact that Anne is the daughter of Huntington Learning Center founders, Eileen and Ray Huntington. With a total investment range from $148,017 – $263,072 all in, almost anybody looking for a franchise shoud be able to afford this opportunity, assumng they meet (or exceed) all other franchisor criteria and considerations.

This week we hear from Craig Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Development of US Development at Wingstop. Is there any doubt in your mind about how much I am looking forward to this conversation? Craig is uniquely qualified attorney, business professional, and former Army officer with extensive senior leadership experience in franchise development and operations. Highly effective, at building strong relationships and consensus behind initiatives, leading to revenue and unit growth. His areas of expertise include: strategy formulation, franchise development, relationship management, revenue and EBITDA growth, conflict management, consensus building, contract negotiations, and leadership.

Roger Martin was once the Chief Operating Officer of an industry-leading pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company. His prior experience includes serving in the role of National Sales Director and Sr. Vice President of Sales, for leading sales and marketing teams of over 500 sales representatives in the specialty and big pharma market, so Roger brings a wealth of skills to his franchise brands. Roger has extensive expertise in sales management, leadership, and deployment, business development, strategic selling, contract negotiation, business-to-business service contracting, licensing, and contracted services and marketing. Roger currently serves as the CEO of RockBox Fitness and beem™ Light Sauna and has owned and operated multiple RockBox studios and currently owns the flagship beem™ Light Sauna studio in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Collectively these brands operate under the umbrella of ThriveMore Brands.

Scott Thompson is Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of all the brands, operating under the Level Five Capital Partners banner, most notably Big Blue Swim Schools. Scott is a strategic Franchise Executive, and Lifelong Learner, and Planner. He is also a Data Driven Sales and Marketing Executive that continuously innovates and leverages technology to the nth degree, to accelerate growth across all the brands he is aligned with. His specialties: Franchise Development, Lease Negotiations, Real Estate, Financing, Sales and marketing training, Franchise law, Corporate startups, Business Coaching, Partnership Development, and Teambuilding and Technology. And he joins us this week, to talk about all of that and more.

This week we hear from Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. He started out as an Outdoor Lighting Perspectives franchise owner in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2000, and in 2002 was hired by the brand as a consultant, to help develop and support new franchisees. He became Vice President of the brand in 2004. Today Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is one of seven brands under the Empower Brands umbrella and Scott is the CEO of the whole shooting match. Following my interview with Scott, an exciting announcement from yours truly!.

Mark Jameson's career is as entertaining to hear about, as he is informative and enlightening. Join us this week and learn about his story and the growth and development of Propelled Brands, under the leadership of former IFA Chairwoman, Catherisne Monson.

Rafik Farouk began his illustrious career in hospitality in Egypt, right out of culinary school. Some 30 years later, he's done it all. From tending bar to International Operations and Franchise Development. Rafik's depth of experience has seen it all too, from both the franchisee and franchisor side of the equation. Today, he directs International Global Business Development for P.F. Changs and he is here to tell us all about it.

Until we meet again in the new year, may you and yours have a safe and joyeous Holiday Season. I return on January 11th at noon ET and will be joined by Rafik Farouk, Senior Director of GLobal Development at P.F. Changs. Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Habari Gani, Good Boxing Day to my Canadian friends to the north and Happy BNew Year, to one and all! C-ya in 23!

This week we close out Season 13 of Franchise Today with a quick review of 2022 and a look ahead to 2023. Violating every rule of PC (Political Correctness) I will wish you all the very best for a safe and Happy Holiday Season, calling out some of those holidays by their correct and proper names. :)

I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I certainly have enjoyed my break on the beaches of Amelia Island, FL. This week I reprise my interview with Franchise Business Review's Emily George. Anyone who knows her, gives thanks for the opportunity to do so. What a better way to bring the Thanksgiving break to a close. If you already know her, you know I'm right. If you've yet to meet her, here is your opportunity. C-ya back here to put the lid on Season 13 of Franchise Today, next Wed. at noon Eastern!

This week I present my interview with Jeremy Morgan, CEO of WellBiz Brands, the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise portfolio including Drybar®, Amazing Lash Studio®, Radiant Waxing™, Elements Massage®, and Fitness Together®. Boasting some nearly 250,000 members and $500 million of systemwide sales across the 900 locations of their collective brands, WellBiz Brands is the leading franchisor of products and services that cater to the needs of affluent women. As CEO, Jeremy has spearheaded the M&A agenda for WBB. Under his leadership the company has created a world-class membership ecosystem for franchisees, while also building expertise in supply chain management, e-commerce and product innovation. His influence and vision have helped the company earn national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, among others.