Franchise Today

This week we hear from Scott Thompson, Chief DevelopmentOfficer at Radiance Holdings, the franchisors of Sola Salons and Woodhouse Spa. Listen in, as Scott reflects on his unexpected journey into franchising, which began after he faced rejection in his initial career, as a cardiac rehab specialist. Pivoting to his passion for fitness, Scott joined Fitness Together, ultimately becoming a successful, multi-unit franchisee in New York City, before pivoting again to the corporate side of the business, as a franchisor. Scott shares insights from his hands-on experiences, including the challenges of navigating the 2008 financial crisis, emphasizing his belief that determination and a willingness to learn are essential for success in franchising.

Discover how a chance encounter with a mall retailer led Dawn Kane, co-founder and CEO of Hot Dish Advertising, to revolutionize franchise marketing. After managing an in-house agency for a mall developer, Dawn, along with two of her cohorts, ventured out to establish her own agency, bringing her fast-paced retail expertise to the franchising world. The Minnesota-based agency, named after the beloved regional casserole, transformed from a consumer-focused marketing firm into a franchise development powerhouse. Their innovative approach replaced generic messagingwith data-driven strategies, setting new standards in franchise marketing. The COVID-19 pandemic became a catalyst for positive change, as Hot Dish successfully transitioned to a fully remote operation. This move expanded their talent pool nationwide while maintaining team cohesion throughthe Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Ready to dive into the fascinating story of how mall marketing experience evolved into franchise industry expertise? Listen to this episode to learn how Dawn Kane and Hot Dish Advertising are reshaping the franchise marketing landscape.

Discover how Alison and Marty Langenderfer, transformed her passion for wellness into Spavia, a thriving spa franchise with 60 locations nationwide. After leaving pharmaceutical sales, Alison and her husband Marty identified a gap in the market for a more comprehensive spa experience, leading to Spavia's launch in 2005. What sets Spavia apart is their unwavering commitment to customer experience and community involvement. Through their "Spavia Cares" initiative, franchisees actively support local causes. Spavia's focus on exceptional guest experiences and careful franchisee selection has driven their sustainable growth. The company's success stems from prioritizing quality over rapid expansion, ensuring franchisees are well-capitalized and aligned with the brand's values. Looking ahead, Spavia plans to continue it's suburban expansion, while also launching an innovative urban brand called Sway, combining high-touch service with cutting-edge technology. Tune in to hear how this power couple built a wellness empire while maintaining their commitment to community impact and exceptional customer service.

Discover how right out of college, this architecture graduate had a change of plans, morphing from retail to restaurants. Over the course of some 30 years John Ramsay has become a restaurant and franchise industry leader. His unexpected path began with retail jobs and led to pioneering roles in major restaurant chains. John Ramsey's fascinating career trajectory offers unique insights into the evolution of franchising, from traditional restaurants to innovative virtual kitchens. This episode showcases how diverse experiences andadaptability can lead to franchise success, while emphasizing the importance of strong partnerships and strategic growth. Ready to unlock the secrets of franchise success? Listen tothis episode for invaluable insights from a true industry veteran.

Daryl Dollinger's journey began in his youth, working in the food service industry through high school and college. Hegained valuable experience in catering, cafeteria management, and campus dining with Aramark. His exposure to the food business, including opportunitieswith the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, sparked his interest and led him to leave Aramark and join a new restaurant venture in Buckhead called Country Star American Music Grill. This marked a pivotal transition as Daryl embarked on a path towards entrepreneurship and franchising. His journey in food and hospitality included stints at Einstein's Bagels and Planet Smoothie, before becoming the co-founder and creator of the Moe's Southwest Grill concept, which they launched in Buckhead in 2000 with a small team andlimited resources, but managed to build into a successful business through hard work and dedication, with more than 100 locations, before his successful exit in 2008. Today he is focused on the further development of his Flying Biscuit Cafe Concept, with more than 36 open and operating and many more on the way.

This week, we'll discover how a family-owned after-school program morphed into a thriving franchise system, focused on empowering children through personalized education. Stephanie Coppedge shares the fascinating evolution of Gideon Math and Reading, from its humble beginnings in 2004, as a licensing model, to its current success, with 30 total units open and operating and many more on the horizon. Gideon Math and Reading, our Q-1, 2025, "Rising Star of Franchising."

This week on Franchise Today we break with our usual format and feature not one, but 25 voices… all, franchise movers and shakers. Each will share their thoughts and perceptions about the impact of President Trump’sdecisive win on franchising. No personal feelings or biases were accepted. The Question to these franchise pros: “What have you observed already andwhat do you see ahead, with Donald Trump in the White House. The episode drops at noon EDT on Wed. 3/12/25 at www.franchisetodaypodcast.com, or wherever you chase podcasts.

This week, discover how Keenan Fisher transformed his family's franchising expertise into a modern barbershopempire. As the driving force behind Tommy Gun's Original Barber Shops, Fisher brings a unique blend of edge, attitude, and confidence to the traditional barbershop experience. Growing up in his family's successful Chatters hair salon franchise, Fisher recognized a gap in the men's grooming market. This led to the creation of Tommy Gun's, a conceptinspired by 1930s Chicago and New York vibes, offering premium barbershop services on demand through proprietary technology. The brand's success is evident in its rapid expansion to 85 locations across Canada and 15 in Australia and New Zealand by 2015. Under Fisher's leadership, Tommy Gun's hasrevolutionized the industry by investing in top talent, including global creative lead John Mosley, and embracing the growing artistry in modern barbering. Ready to experience the future of men's grooming? Listen to this episode to learn how Fisher is redefining the barbershop experience and creating a community of passionatefranchisees who share his vision for excellence.

This week, we are back with Part 2 of myConversation with John Rotche. Every nowand then, I happen upon a franchise biography that is so compelling that a single episode of Franchise Today just can’t do it justice. And, such is the case with John Rotche. Last week we wrapped up approaching the Title Boxing Chapter of John’s storied career and we’ll pick back-up there today, but first a couple of reflections on some of what John shared with us last week. John quipped in wonderment about how he, athlete guy turned entrepreneur, managed to have the good fortune to be taken under the wings of not one, but two IFA Entrepreneur’s of the Year Domino's CEO Tom Monaghan and Service Brands International Founder, CEO and Serial Entrepreneur David McKinnon. To that, I say this..., “When the student is ready, the teacher appears. And oh, btw, it’s no coincidence that IFA awarded John those same prestigious honors in 2011. So, let’s pick back-up where we left off. Part 2: John Rotche, From Football to Franchising.

This week on Franchise Today, I welcome John Rotche, afranchise professional with a compelling story of overcoming adversity. John shares his journey from the expectations of beginning a promising college football career, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the franchising world. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the lessons learned from his experiences at Domino's and Krispy Kreme, and how he transitioned into the air duct cleaning business, before ultimately founding Franworth. The conversation highlights the significance of building teams, the impact of mentorship, and the drive to help others succeed in their franchising endeavors. Takeaways: · Franchising is about building relationships andteams · Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal andprofessional growth · Overcoming adversity can lead to unexpectedopportunities · Understanding your business's core focus isessential for success · The importance of consistency and followingstandards in operations · Giving back to the community can create apositive impact · Franchising can be a path for those who haven’tplanned for it · Learning from industry leaders can shape yourcareer · The journey of entrepreneurship often involvesunexpected pivots · Creating a legacy involves helping othersachieve their dreams

Greg George, Franchisor, CEO and co-owner of the Peach Cobbler Factory, reflects on his 35-year career in franchising and the personal transformation he underwent in his late 50s following a significant awakening. The Peach Cobbler Factory has become the fastest-growing dessert chain in America, opening over 112 locations in less than three years. Despite this success, Greg shares his previous struggles and long history of drug and alcohol addiction, which began at age 12 and lasted until he was 46—a pattern he describes as a “family curse” affecting multiple generations. Greg recounts the challenges of witnessing his oldest son’s eight-year opiate addiction, which involved multiple overdoses and homelessness. This family crisis became a turning point, when his son entered a faith-based treatment center after hitting rock bottom. Shortly after, Greg faced his own moment of reckoning, deciding to attend 90 Narcotics Anonymous meetings in 90 days, which marked the start of nearly seven years of sobriety. His son also turned his life around and now holds a high-level position in Greg’s company. Together, they have helped 43 individuals find treatment for addiction. Greg also highlights the significant influence of his business partner, Larry Johnston, a Fortune 50 CEO who became a mentor and friend through an unexpected social media connection. Throughout his journey, Greg emphasizes hope for those struggling with addiction, noting that many successful people may secretly battle similar issues. He advocates for admitting powerlessness and seeking help, sharing how willpower and discipline led to his recovery and a more balanced life. Greg is dedicated to assisting others, particularly the homeless, by providing essentials and emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from helping others rather than financial success. Greg expresses gratitude towards Larry for supporting his growth and enabling him to aid others. He encourages individuals facing similar challenges to reach out for support and aims to positively impact at least one person through his story. The conversation concludes with appreciation for Greg’s transparency and dedication to personal and business growth, inviting interest in the Peach Cobbler Factory and his mission to help others.

This week on Franchise Today, I host Greg George, founder and CEO of Peach Cobbler Factory, who shares his compelling story from designing cigar lounges to building out a 100+ unit dessert and treat concept. Greg’s story is one of passion, resilience, and family values. Key highlights include: Greg’s strategic approach to franchising, staying with brands until they soar, and his emphasis on strong products and financial diligence. The rapid expansion of Peach Cobbler Factory, growing to 112 locations across 22 states by 2022, thanks to Greg’s visionary leadership and a mentor’s guidance. Personal stories of triumph over adversity, including Greg’s own battle with addiction and his commitment to supporting others on similar paths. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights on scaling businesses, overcoming obstacles, and the profound impact of people in business. Don’t miss out on Greg George’s inspiring story and learn how franchising can be a powerful platform for change.

As a college student, Nick Lopez started a painting business to pay for his education. However, after reading the book "The E-Myth Revisited" Nick was inspired by the potential of the franchise model. This experience inspired Nick to explore franchising further, and eventually growing Lyme Painting into the scalable business it has become. Nick's story highlights how passion, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, can lead to unexpected opportunities in the world of franchising. Nick also describes how his entrepreneurship journey is guided by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, thereby making him the Founder and Steward of the business, as opposed to Founder and CEO. Nick and Stan talk too about how the unique competitive advantage of the business is in its market segmentation. Nick was intrigued by the lack of national players focused on the high-end homeowner market, which led him to pursue a scalable franchise model in this segment of the home improvement space. Nick Lopez, this week on Franchise TOday.

Listen to this episode to learn how military discipline and a servant's heart can create an extraordinary franchise leadership career. Steve White is the President, COO of PuroClean. Discover how coming out of the Army, Steve's military precision transformed Domino's Pizza's struggling equipment division into a well-oiled machine. Steve White, a former Army officer, leveraged his logistics expertise to revolutionize Domino's operations in the 1980s, setting the stage for his remarkable career in franchising. Steve's problem-solving abilities caught the attention of Domino's founder, leading to successful turnarounds in multiple divisions. His leadership journey continued as he helped consolidate several companies under the Allegra brand and later became President and COO of PuroClean, where he continues to make an impact in the restoration industry. A passionate advocate for franchise community involvement, Steve serves on the IFA board, has chaired the IFA's VetFran committee and he currently chairs the IFA Educational Foundation.

This week on Franchise Today, Prospect Direct Founder and CEO Alex Oswiecinski shares his insights on the power of data-driven franchise development. He explains how focusing and targeting individuals with strong business acumen and financial capabilities, rather than just capturing leads from those who fill out forms online is a game changer. This more qualified approach sets them apart from generic lead generation portals that cast a wide net. Prospect Direct's process involves thoroughly vetting prospects' professional backgrounds and experience to identify the best-fit franchisee candidates for their clients. Alex attributes Prospect Direct's rapid growth, ranking 753 on the Inc. 5000 list, to factors like the pandemic disrupting traditional lead generation methods and their ability to connect with high-earning, six-figure potential franchise owners through targeted email campaigns. The key lessons from Alex's journey? • Embrace a data-driven approach, focus on quality over quantity, and foster transparent, sustainable relationships between franchisors and franchisees. • Identify and target high-quality franchisee prospects with strong business acumen • Thoroughly vet candidates to ensure a good fit with the franchise model • Manage expectations and deliver realistic results in the franchise development process • Prioritize transparency and responsible franchise growth over short-term gains.

In this final episode of Season 15, host Stan Friedman delivers a heartwarming tribute to family, gratitude, and success as he welcomes Charles Bonfiglio, franchise founder and CEO of Tint World. Inspired in large part by hiis father, Charles emphasizes the importance of relationships and shares his journey from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, NY to leading a 150-unit strong and growing automotive aftermarket franchise chain. This episode also highlights his expanding portfolio of ventures, which starts with Tint World, ranked 249 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2024 Franchise 500, his new emerging concept Cars Cafe and Auto Parts Network®, a Patent Pending, Automotive Aftermarket Parts and Accessories Distribution and eCommerce software company. Stan closes the episode extending gratitude to sponsors guests and listeners, marking the season's end with well-wishes for the holidays.

Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. The Annual Franchise 500 is her MOST ANTICIPATED publications each year. It is Franchising’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Emmy’s, the Grammys, albeit minus the red carpet, but it is the Big Deal of the Year, when it comes to ratings. So, what goes into that pot of stew. How many data points are included and how are they massaged, measured and weighted. How much if any, has the changing nature of franchising influenced the curation of the data that drives the 500. Not that long ago, our industry was more Mom and Pop, operator centric with what were typically founder-led brands. Today, it’s not unusual to see franchisee enterprises that eclipse many franchisor organizations in size and infrastructure. Massive MUMBO’S multi-unit multi branded operations with dozens sometimes hundreds of locations. And, on the Zor side, we see tons of roll-ups... Portfolios of brands, dominating specific verticals and service areas, led by divisions and subdivisions of Private Equity Sponsors replacing those founder-led concepts of yester year, with the power of professional management, deep pockets for growth and investment, igniting the economies of scale like rocket fuel. It’s safe to say that our corner of the world, franchising is a changed place not your dad’s old Buick which means what’s important in 2025 to the compilation of the Franchise 500 too, must look a lot different. Or does it? Here to answer that and talk a whole lot more about it: Tracy Stapp Herold, Editor of Special Projects, at Entrepreneur Media.

I’ve worked hard, built wealth, and won some awards along the way, and that’s all great, but I view my greatest accomplishments in life as my marriage to my beautiful and smart wife, Leslie, and raising our three beautiful children who have grown into amazing adults. They are grounded, balanced, nice people, who truly care about others. Family is everything to me. - Jimmy John Liautaud. As you will hear in this episode, benevolence is right up there, with love for his family. The iconic Jimmy John Liautaud, this week on Franchise Today!

This week Stan sits down with Stephen Preuss, co-founder and CEO of Paymore Electronics, to explore the journey of transforming a humble secondhand store into a thriving franchise concept. Discover how Stephen and his partner Eric Helgesen redefined the secondhand electronics market by blending brick-and-mortar with e-commerce, harnessing the power of proprietary technology, and the need to overcome challenging industry stigmas. In this episode, Stephen shares insights into the meticulous process of franchising, the strategic decisions that led to their rapid expansion, and the unique value proposition of Paymore stores. Learn about their innovative approach to customer experience, which boasts a repeat customer rate nearly 10X StephenR.Preussthe industry standard, and their commitment to eco-friendly practices through free electronics recycling. Tune in to understand the challenges and triumphs faced by Paymore as they scale nationwide and internationally, and get a glimpse into their vision for the future of the secondhand electronics industry.

This week I welcome Kyle McKeown, Senior Vice President of ProfitKeeper by PrimePay, as both a guest and a new sponsor. Kyle shares his journey into franchising, highlighting his 18-year experience in the industry and how ProfitKeeper has evolved over the years to support franchisees and franchisors alike. Kyle discusses the inception of ProfitKeeper, initially designed to assist franchisees with accounting, and how it pivoted to become a comprehensive financial visibility tool for franchisors. He explains how ProfitKeeper empowers franchisees by providing insightful data that enables them to benchmark their performance and make informed decisions to enhance their business profitability. The conversation also delves into the competitive nature of franchisees and the role of collaboration tools in fostering community and improving performance. Kyle emphasizes the importance of leadership in franchising and shares his personal experience as a Primrose franchisee, underscoring the value of aligning with a brand with strong leadership. Tune in to learn more about how ProfitKeeper is shaping the franchise landscape and discover insights into the dynamics of franchising from an industry veteran.