Franchise Empires

S10 E6: From 0 to 350: The Rapid, Explosive Growth of Koala Insulation Sep 17, 2024

Ever wonder how a franchise can keep growing without a ceiling in sight?

Cory Lyons, the CEO of Koala Insulation and a 20-year veteran in the franchise world, will give us his insights.

In this episode, Cory reveals what drew him to Koala Insulation, how they’ve managed explosive growth since franchising in 2020, and why they’re only scratching the surface of their potential.

We dive into the key systems that impressed him, how he balances franchisee and franchisor support, and the KPIs driving Koala's success.

Plus, Cory shares why the unknown future of the brand keeps him excited every day.

00:01:41 - The Journey to Becoming the CEO of Koala Insulation

00:04:30 - What Systems Did Koala Insulation Have that Impressed Cory?

00:07:30 - The Trajectory of Koala Insulation Since Cory Joined

00:12:39 - Balancing Support Between Franchisees and Franchisors

00:17:05 - What Services do Koala Insulation Actually Provide?

00:24:17 - An Insight Into Koala Insulation’s 4 Big KPIs

00:26:57 - The Future and Potential of Koala Insulation’s Growth Trajectory

Follow Cory:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-lyons-6a9ab919/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S10 E5: How F45 Training's Unique Fitness Concept Became a Global Phenomenon Aug 20, 2024

Ever wondered what it takes to stand out in a saturated niche like health and fitness?

Tune in as The Wolf chats with Tom Dowd and Janina Czado, the dynamic duo behind F45 Training's exciting transformation and the birth of their new brands, FS8 and VAURA.

They're shaking up the fitness world with a clever hub and spoke model but not without the hiccup of naming their latest venture.

Tom and Janina dive into how they're enhancing the sensory experience in their Pilates studios and setting bold visions for F45 Training, FS8 and VAURA. They also share how they're standing out in a crowded market by delivering impactful content that truly empowers their community.

Discover their groundbreaking reciprocity program by F45 Training, which opens doors for members across studios, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the robust support system uniting their brands.

00:01:20 - Bringing Pilates to Mainstream Market

00:05:44 - How Janina Became Involved With F45 Training

00:7:18 - When was F45 Training launched in the US?

00:08:40 - Differentiating Fitness Concepts in Pilates

00:14:05 - Brand Differences in VAURA, FS8 and F45 Training

00:19:01 - Breaking Down Financial Metrics

00:22:32 - How Are the Three Brands Structured?

00:24:50 - Restructuring All the Brands Into a Single Platform

Follow Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-dowd-9092981/

Follow Janina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinaczado/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S10 E4: Watch Out Crumbl— Because THIS is Dessert’s Next Big Franchise Aug 13, 2024

The Wolf’s bringing it back to another solo episode, and this time he’s got all of Twitter wondering why he’s been MIA for so long.

He explains where he’s been all this time, and how his game-changing franchising platform, Krokit has been keeping him busy these past few months.

Plus, remember how the Wolf called out Nothing Bundt Cakes as an important franchise to keep your eye on? Well, this week, he’s got another franchise to pay attention to and it’s *definitely* one you’re not expecting.

And later, with Games Day Men’s Health testosterone clinics claiming they’ve sold over 700+ units, what exactly does it mean if they’ve only managed to open 100 units thus far? The Wolf breaks down some of the most common franchise marketing tactics brands use to lure prospective franchisees into the system before going over the basics incentive structure of the franchisor/franchisee relationship.

00:00 Milkshake Factory

06:00 Krokit

08:21 Game Day Men’s Health

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S10 E3: Beyond the Headset: The Sandbox VR Journey Aug 06, 2024

Who’s the brains behind one of the world’s most cutting-edge VR franchises? Step into the immersive world of Sandbox VR with The Wolf and its Founder/CEO, Steve Zhao.

Steve explains how Sandbox VR revolutionized the entertainment industry by combining technology, community, and an incredible VR experience.

From their state-of-the-art AI and computer vision technology to their commitment to removing barriers and fostering innovation, Steve shares the secrets behind Sandbox VR's success. Learn how they’re creating a seamless and immersive experience for customers by utilizing both internal software tools and third-party vendors to drive franchise development.

Plus, Steve breaks down Sandbox VR’s future potential for a membership-based model and reveals how its community-driven environment has paved the way for it to become a major player in the franchise industry.

Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.

Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.

00:01:09 - Bootstrapped Mobile Gaming Company Founder Explores VR

00:03:49 - Revolutionizing Gaming with Sandbox VR

00:06:03 - Company's Evolution: From Licensing to Ownership

00:07:20 - Franchising Plans Pre and Post-COVID

00:11:02 - Comparing Corporate and Franchise Stores

00:16:47 - Exploring Revenue Models in Business

00:23:08 - Franchise Management Software: Build or Outsource?

00:25:05 - Future Plans for Immersive VR

00:26:45 - Learn About Sandbox VR Online

Follow Steve:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhaosaurus/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S10 E2: The 3 Most Interesting Franchises of 2024 Jul 30, 2024

The Wolf’s reaching into the listener mailbag and answering some of your most pressing franchise questions for this special edition episode.

What are the top three franchises he’s keeping his eye on this year? NGL but… the answers might shock you (no hype cycle or fad brands in this list)!

And speaking of hype cycles, what are some major red flags to avoid in potential franchises? The Wolf tackles some of the most common traps new franchisees fall for before diving into the importance of due diligence and speaking to your franchisees.

Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.

Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.

00:00:00 - Franchise World Mailbag: Answering Questions

00:04:18 - The Top 3 Most Interesting Franchises of 2024

00:09:11 - Avoiding Franchise Sales Traps: Tips

00:14:14 - Franchisee Feedback Key in Due Diligence

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S10 E1: Navigating Motherhood: How New Mom School Prepares Moms for Postpartum Life, with Alexandra Spitz Jul 23, 2024

Nothing will change after the baby comes… right?

Err— not exactly, folks.

But what if there was a class out there that could explain everything new moms should expect after the expecting period ends?

From teething to nursing to working remotely and everything in between (why do baby heads always smell so good anyway?), discover how New Mom School has grown from a local mom group into a successful franchise with over eleven locations and counting.

Founder Alexandra Spitz talks with the Wolf about New Mom School’s mission and discusses how her passion for helping women blossomed into a successful franchise opportunity.

Plus, how does New Mom School stand out from the competition? Alexandra reveals the roles and responsibilities of franchisees at New Mom School and explains how the program offers flexibility for moms to balance work and family life.

Imagine owning a business that genuinely transforms lives—sounds fulfilling, doesn’t it? That's what you get with F45 Training, FS8, and VAURA Pilates.

If you’ve ever wanted to lead a movement towards healthier living in your area, this is your chance. Visit https://www.F45training.com/invest to learn more!

00:00:51 - Expanding to Eleven Locations Successfully

00:01:16 - Postnatal Education Company Founded Quickly

00:13:35 - Emotional Support for Couples in Childbirth

00:19:27 - Creating a New Mom School

00:25:50 - Franchise World: Opportunities for Women

00:30:44 - Franchisees Don't Need to Be Moms

00:32:28 - New Mom School Empowers Entrepreneurs

00:39:36 - Follow Our Journey on Socials

Learn More About New Mom School:

Website: https://newmomschool.com/franchise-opportunity/

Follow Alexandra:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraspitz/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Tips from the Top: Expert Franchise Insights Jul 16, 2024

Why take advice from just anyone when you can hear it from the best in the biz?

From the master of locations, Dinesh Goswami, to the mad genius behind the cult sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken, we’ve had so many master-level franchisors on the podcast this year, that I just had to share some of their hottest insights.

So, I compiled the best advice and insights into one special episode. Whether you're new to franchising or a seasoned pro, these clips are packed with valuable lessons that anyone in the industry needs to hear.

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Tips from the Top: Franchising’s Best Advice Jul 09, 2024

It seems like anyone and their mom is ready to give you advice about franchising.

But why not take advice from franchising’s greatest who successfully scaled from the bottom to the top of the industry?

This week, we’re mixing it up and compiling some of the best bits of advice and wisdom from franchising’s finest minds. I’ve hand-picked some of my favorite, most impactful highlights from the past year that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

From scaling over 90+ McAlister’s Delis to owning 60+ Zaxby’s and becoming the Gaz Biz King of Twitter, these next few guests are some of the biggest industry experts that you simply can’t afford *not* to listen to.

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E10: How Slick City Became an Adventure Park on Steroids Jun 25, 2024

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Bron Launsby, the mastermind behind Slick City, a thriving franchise in the recreation center space. Learn the secrets behind their success, from innovative performance slides to exceptional customer experiences. Bron shares ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open up to 40 new locations by 2025, with a vision of reaching 500 across the U.S.

Find out how Slick City’s unique business model emphasizes attractions that encourage parent participation—appealing to everyone from toddlers to grandparents. In a business where children are the target audience, how did Slick City manage to make 20% of their patrons adults, significantly higher than any other family entertainment center? Bron explains how his focus on inclusive, family-oriented fun helps keep everyone (even people usually glued to their phones) engaged and active.

Tune in to explore the growth opportunities within the franchise, including investments in slide manufacturing and various concept expansions. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on building a successful franchise empire with Slick City.

Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.

Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.

00:00:28 - Transitioning into Franchise Recreation Centers

00:01:15 - The Transition from Corporate Retail to Trampoline Parks

00:05:37 - A Big Part of Success Being a Trampoline Park Operator

00:09:01 - The Science Behind Testing Slides

00:13:36 - What Was The Thought Process Behind Investing in a Slide Manufacturer?

00:18:23 - Slick City’s Revenue Breakdown Revealed

00:23:37 - The Biggest Chunks of Revenue

00:28:27 - Who is the Ideal Franchisee for Slick City?

00:31:48 - Building a Franchise With Previous Experience

00:36:26 - Bron’s Ambitious Expansion Plan for Slick City

Follow Bron Launsby:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-launsby-7637b6250/

Learn more about Slick City:

https://slickcityfranchise.com/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E9: 130 Units in 60 Months: Inside Soccer Stars’ Booming Franchise Model Jun 18, 2024

Who can forget being shuffled around to soccer games in the back seat of mom’s minivan, eagerly waiting to find out what post-game snacks awaited you at the end of your little league matchup?

What if there was a franchise that could capture that same magic?

The Wolf talks to Adam Geisler and John Erlandson, the co-founders of Youth Athletes United, which represents brands like Soccer Stars and Amazing Athletes, about the plan behind their youth sports immersion platform. With over 130 locations and 76 owners, they share their unique insights on scaling the business and the potential of selling more franchises.

The Wolf also chats with Kevin and Chelsea Meyer, two owners of the Soccer Stars franchise, about the challenges they faced in converting businesses into successful franchises. What was the importance of hiring a GM? And how has the growth of soccer in the US contributed to the astounding success of Soccer Stars?

Tune in to find out John, Adam, Kevin, and Chelsea’s insights into what just might be the most fun franchise in America to own!

Soccer Stars is one of the nation's leading youth educational soccer programs in the country. We are a mobile-based franchise focused on teaching the fundamentals of soccer while having fun. Our programs are class and game-based activities focusing on kids starting at 1 and up to 14+ years of age. You can learn more about us at soccerstarsfranchise.com.

00:00:50 - Youth Sports Platform Expands Franchise

00:06:26 - Discovering Soccer Stars Brand Journey

00:10:35 - Balancing Full-Time Jobs with Franchise

00:16:16 - The Power of People in Business

00:18:26 - Hiring a GM for Scaling Success

00:22:32 - Adapting to Franchisee Growth Challenges

00:29:14 - Developing Long-Term Goals for Soccer

00:30:54 - Lionel Messi Joins MLS, World Cup 2026 in America

00:36:10 - Connecting with MLS Franchise Opportunities

00:38:46 - Challenges of Starting a Franchise

00:40:57 - Franchise Challenges: Staffing and Retention

Follow Adam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697/

Follow John:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-erlandson-62409b4/

Follow Kevin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-meyer-4168632a4/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E8: Unpacking beem Light Sauna’s Formula to Success Jun 11, 2024

How does the co-founder of beem Light Sauna think about scaling a thriving health and wellness franchise? The Wolf talks with Cynthia May, CEO and Co-Founder of beem Light Sauna, to discover her secret to scaling from 0 to 65 locations in a little over four years.

Cynthia reveals her biggest challenges and successes in scaling a franchise brand, unraveling how she and her team developed systems that allowed their franchisees to truly thrive. How did culture and values fundamentally shape the nature of her franchise?

Cynthia also shares her insights into the unique benefits of light therapy— from mental health to weight loss and detoxification, she explains why customers are drawn to their private individual suites and rooms and how their membership-based business model sets the stage for success.

Plus, what’s in store for beem Light Sauna? And how has partnering with prelaunch partners and vendors upped their marketing game?

Tune in now to find out!

Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.

Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.

00:01:30 - Scaling a Franchise Brand Successfully

00:05:43 - Finding the Right Location for Brands

00:08:46 - Partnering for Membership Sales Success

00:15:16 - Customizable Infrared and Red Light Therapy

00:21:25 - Top 3 Reasons for Wellness Retreats

00:25:29 - Transitioning from Founder to CEO

00:34:18 - Establishing Culture and Values for Business Success

00:40:50 - Goals for beem Light Sauna Beyond Units

Learn More About beem Light Sauna:

Website: https://franchise.beemlightsauna.com/

Follow Cynthia:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamay/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E7: How Checkers & Dave’s Hot Chicken Became a National Cult Obsession Jun 04, 2024

Before it became a media franchise sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken was a pop-up shop in East Los Angeles creating a line as long as the eye could see. Now it has a national cult following with investors like Drake and Usher invested in the Nashville-style chicken chain.

The Wolf sits down to chat with founding franchisees, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence Kourie about the challenges and triumphs of starting a franchise in a new market and the excitement of becoming part of a rapidly growing brand.

Hear how Dave's Hot Chicken has gained attention not only for its mouth-watering menu but also for its celebrity investors. How do its chef-inspired offerings set it apart from the competition? And how has Dave’s made the art of the simple menu work in their favor?

Can Dave’s Hot Chicken compete with In-N-Out? Lawrence and Andrew explain how focusing on the people behind the brand and creating room for growth has led to a fantastic working culture and a high degree of scalability.

Plus, don’t miss out on an exclusive sneak peek into the future of Dave's Hot Chicken, including plans for expansion and international growth.

Sandbox VR is the world’s most advanced virtual reality experience. With more than 45 locations across 7 countries, this full-body gaming provides unprecedented realism and complete immersion that’s not possible anywhere else. Groups of up to six can roam the VR space together, exploring exclusive virtual worlds and relying on each other to succeed while surviving a zombie apocalypse, battling a mighty dragon, hunting for lost treasure, and more.

Visit Franchise.SandboxVR.com to learn more.

00:00:00 - Franchisees Share Dave's Hot Chicken Story

00:03:53 - Dodgers Game Meeting Leads to Successful Store Opening

00:06:06 - Opening a Franchise in San Diego

00:12:55 - Balancing Speed and Patience in Expansion

00:18:52 - Simplicity Key to Dave's Success

00:22:14 - Celebrity Investors Back Dave's Hot Chicken

00:26:18 - Third-Party Delivery: A Big Model

Follow Lawrence:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencekourie/

Follow Andrew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-feghali-6728197a/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E6: How Dinesh Goswami Acquired 125+ Pizza Huts, Popeye’s, and Taco Bells May 28, 2024

Did you know when it comes to where your franchise is situated, there’s a breakfast side and a dinner side of the street?

Dinesh Goswami certainly does, and with 125+ franchise locations open, including Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, , Taco Bell, and Checker’s, he knows why understanding your location is the #1 thing you can do to ensure the longevity of your franchise.

Dinesh talks with the Wolf about his diversified portfolio and the valuable lessons he’s learned from his extensive franchising career about staying resilient and consistent in the face of economic fluctuations. How have specialized franchise lenders and SBA loans helped Dinesh to scale? Plus, discover his unique approach to acquiring talent and fostering a people-centric business.

From understanding the importance of location selection to leveraging organic growth opportunities, Dinesh provides his incredible insights into the challenges of franchising at a high-level scale.

00:00:48 - From Banker to Popeyes Owner

00:02:12 - Corporate Dropout Opens Successful Franchise

00:05:03 - Considerations for Choosing Restaurant Locations

00:12:39 - Avoid Costly Mistakes When Opening a Restaurant

00:14:03 - How to Convince Someone to Switch Jobs

00:18:41 - Capital Strategy for Business Expansion: SBA Loans or Profit Funneling?

00:21:06 - Specialized Lenders for Franchise Industry

00:29:25 - Diversifying Brands for Steady Growth

00:36:04 - Understand Your Strengths Before Marketing

Follow Dinesh:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinesh-goswami-463547130/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dineshvgoswami/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E5: Mobile Station Mogul: Gas Biz Guy on the Future of the Gas Industry May 21, 2024

What’s the latest Twitter beef with an army of minions going to war for Gas Biz Guy? Is it a joke or is there legitimate beef behind the brawl?

Join The Wolf as he sits down with viral Twitter personality Gas Biz Guy (aka Chris Hellgeth), a self-made entrepreneur who turned a ten-cent cigarette sale into a $100 million-a-year gas distribution business. They break down the secrets to success in the gas station industry, including the importance of value, experience, and building a strong brand.

Discover how the Gas Biz Guy built his business from the ground up, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities along the way. From cashing checks to gas station ownership, he shares his entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable insights for aspiring business owners.

The Gas Biz Guy also peels back the curtain on the little-known gas and convenience store industry, unpacking the unique synergy between quick-serve restaurants and gas stations and exploring the opportunities they can provide potential investors.

And later, he and the Wolf dive into the evolving trends in the convenience store industry, from the rise of novelty energy drinks to the increasing focus on customer experience. Find out how higher-margin locations are expanding their margins by providing a clean environment and excellent customer service.

00:00:00 - Gas Station Enthusiast Dominates Twitter

00:04:14 - From a 10 Cent Cigarette Sale to a $100 Million Success

00:08:26 - Solving the Unbankable Population Issue

00:12:14 - Gas Stations: Profit from Convenience, Not Gas

00:15:22 - Gas Station Industry's Value Proposition

00:20:15 - Buying from Distributors: Convenience Store Margins

00:24:32 - Cooler Products Dominate Market Growth

00:25:47 - Synergy Between Gas Stations and Restaurants

Follow Gas Biz Guy:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gas_biz

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E4: The Visionary Leader Behind Pearle Vision's Eyewear Empire, with Bill Noble May 14, 2024

How did a West Point flight school graduate become the founder of 79 optical stores across the US? Bill Noble, Pearle Vision’s largest multi-unit franchise owner, joins the pod to chat with the Wolf about his fascinating journey from sitting in the cockpit to building a nationwide franchise empire.

From his early days at Harrah's Entertainment to his transition into the retail industry, Bill shares valuable insights on leadership, partnership, and the challenges of growing a franchise business. Discover how his military background and experience in the gaming industry shaped his approach to leadership and motivated him to start his own franchise.

Bill discusses the importance of maintaining a true partnership between franchisors and franchisees and reveals how honest feedback and open communication contribute to the growth and success of a franchise organization.

He and the Wolf dissect the strategies and considerations involved in acquisitions and growth and uncover how market conditions and lending criteria can impact a franchise's expansion plans.

Whether you're a seasoned franchise owner or considering starting your own business, gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and intricacies of building a successful franchise empire.

00:00:23 - Military Veteran's Journey to Retail

00:03:27 - First Leadership Role Outside Military

00:05:42 - Transitioning Leadership Skills from Gaming

00:08:11 - From Lenscrafters Employee to Franchise Owner

00:15:12 - Navigating Pressure as a CEO

00:18:31 - Converting Corporate Locations to Pearle Visions

00:21:21 - Transitioning from Corporate CEO to Franchise Leader

00:24:37 - Navigating Growth in Changing Markets

00:29:38 - Approaching Leadership as a Franchise Owner

00:38:07 - Balancing Personal Identity in Competitive Organizations

00:45:27 - Franchise Concept Evolves into Partnership

Follow Bill:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamnoble1/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E3: Deb Merrill’s Jimmy Johns Journey May 07, 2024

Deb Merrill had no idea she was destined for franchise management until her brother-in-law asked if she’d be interested in running a Jimmy John’s. Realizing that stage management wasn’t the dream job she had hoped it would be, Deb left her theater career behind for the food service industry.

In this candid conversation with the Wolf, Deb opens up about her rise from the bottom of the food chain to the top of the Jimmy John’s game. How did she take the dive into franchising with zero experience in the industry and eventually open 12 different locations? And what was it really like working with family?

Deb also shares her wisdom into the daily rewards and challenges of running a Jimmy John’s franchise from the physical demands of the job to the importance of finding the right team members. What should the structure and setup of a fair franchise agreement look like? And what’s the importance of maintaining positive relationships with franchisees?

Plus, learn about the early days of Jimmy John's, including the impact of the economic crash in 2008 and the struggles of balancing construction schedules and employee training. What kinds of unique opportunities does Jimmy John’s provide for franchise owners?

Tune in now to find out!

Workstream is the all in one tool for restaurants to run their HR, hiring, and payroll operations. Trusted by over 25,000 restaurant locations, Workstream is the people management tool built for managing hourly workers.

Visit http://www.workstream.us/thewolf to learn more!

00:00:00 - Transitioning from Theater to Fast Food Franchise

00:03:06 - Navigating Responsibility and Control in Business

00:04:35 - Balancing Construction and Opening Schedules

00:07:03 - Corporate Training at Jimmy John's

00:08:47 - Opening Two Stores in Six Months

00:14:41 - Arranging Fair Structures for Collaborations

00:15:48 - Navigating Family Business Dynamics Successfully

00:18:59 - 16 Years of Steady Store Growth

00:21:57 - Expanding Store Locations: A Timeline

Workstream is the all-in-one tool for restaurants to run their HR, hiring, and payroll operations. Trusted by over 25,000 restaurant locations, Workstream is the people management tool built for managing hourly workers.

Visit http://www.workstream.us/thewolf to learn more!

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E2: The King of Chicken and Beef: How Drew Gressett Opened 80+ Zaxby’s and Hat Creek Locations Apr 30, 2024

Drew Gressett’s sitting down with the Wolf to discuss his personal journey in the restaurant industry—from his journey founding Hat Creek Burger Company to owning 60+ Zaxby’s.

Hear Hat Creek Burger Company’s humble origin story—from starting as a food truck in 2008 to now having 26 brick-and-mortar locations, Drew shares the challenges and triumphs of scaling his business. He shares how building a strong restaurant management team and securing financing helped fuel his exponential growth.

What are the unique dynamics of running both independent restaurants and franchise locations? And does Drew have plans to expand into other franchise brands or industries in the future?

Tune in now to find out!

00:00:23 - From Food Truck to Restaurant Success

00:07:13 - Lessons Learned from Hat Creek's Expansion

00:08:10 - Growing Hat Creek to 26 Locations

00:15:12 - Expanding the Zaxby's Franchise Portfolio

00:18:23 - Scaling Hat Creek

00:20:37 - Building a Strong Restaurant Management Team

00:24:36 - Leveraging Seller Financing for Growth

00:28:56 - Franchise Friction: Running Own vs. Franchise

00:33:03 - Exploring New Franchise Opportunities and Industries

00:34:37 - New Builds vs. Acquisitions: Pros and Cons

Learn More About Zaxby’s:

Website: https://www.zaxbys.com/franchise

Learn More About Hat Creek Burger Company:

Website: https://hatcreekburgers.com/who-we-are

Follow Drew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-gressett-96891621a/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S9 E1: How Adam Saxton Turned McAlister’s Deli Into an Unstoppable Franchise Beast Apr 23, 2024

You’ll never be able to operate 90+ franchises if your first franchise isn’t golden to begin with. Take it from Adam Saxton, operator of over 90+ McAlister’s Delis and co-CEO/Owner of the Saxton Group. With territories in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, Adam chats with the Wolf about his unusual philosophy for franchise expansion, including a unique organic unit model development approach entailing zero acquisitions.

With over 20 years in the fast-casual space, Adam reveals why he remains optimistic about the ROI potential in this industry and explains how his family's background in restaurant franchising influenced his decision to join McAlister's Deli. How has he managed to maintain slow and steady growth since his first bought unit in 1999?

Discover the importance of building a strong culture and brand within your organization, and how investing in internal development leads to long-term success. Adam discusses the growth opportunities that come with expanding your franchise and the value of promoting from within.

Plus, what are Adam’s perspectives on investment levels and the potential return on capital for first-time franchisees?

Tune in now to find out!

00:00:00 - Locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas

00:00:30 - Adam Joins Family Restaurant Business

00:08:17 - Organic Growth Strategy of the Saxton Group

00:11:46 - Community Outreach Boosts McAlister's Brand

00:13:34 - Fostering Growth and Opportunity at McAlister’s

00:17:13 - Franchisees Expand with New Brands

00:18:45 - Saxton Group Acquires Jaggers

00:22:29 - Staying Optimistic in the Fast Casual Industry

00:26:49 - Investment Returns for New Franchisees

00:32:54 - Room to Grow for McAlister’s

Follow Adam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgsaxton/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E10: Listener Mailbag: Negotiating Franchise Agreements, Back Office Solutions, & the Nashville Chicken Wars Mar 26, 2024

Buckle up because the Wolf is taking another stab at your best Twitter questions in this solo question-and-answer pod.

Should you be able to negotiate a franchise agreement? If so, how much of an agreement is negotiable, or are most franchise agreements a take-it-or-leave-it proposition?

Then the Wolf uncovers his #1 recommendation for back-office franchisee solutions (hint: it’s a software that’s near and dear to his heart), before dissecting the differences between chains and franchises.

Plus, who will win the Nashville Chicken Wars? Or do all chicken franchises come out the loser if the market has hit its peak saturation point?

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E9: How Lucas Mitchell Bought 20 Five Guy’s With Just $700k Mar 19, 2024

The Wolf chats with french fry master, Lucas Mitchell, a successful entrepreneur and franchisee of Five Guys, to discuss the ins and outs of scaling a franchise business. From building strong relationships with franchisees to managing shiny object syndrome, Lucas shares valuable insights and lessons learned along his journey.

How did Lucas go from owning five stores to over 20? What were the challenges and rewards that came with his rapid growth? He details his unique strategies for managing debt covenants and explains how he leveraged specific relationships to fuel his franchise’s expansion.

Hear how Lucas has kept his composure and avoided the temptation of shiny object syndrome to maintain a consistent relationship with Five Guys. He reveals his philosophy for scaling a sustainable organization and tells the Wolf how he managed to escape with his sanity intact while growing Five Guys.

Lucas also explores why continuous learning and evolution were essential to his role as a leader. Find out how he has leveled up his leadership skills and implemented guidelines to run his business effectively. Plus, get a glimpse into Lucas's future plans for growth, including the potential for expanding into other brands.

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit https://paylocity.com/restaurants.

00:06:13 - Leveraging Relationships to Buy Locations

00:12:12 - Investment Strategy: Equity vs. Debt

00:16:04 - Navigating Debt Covenants in Restaurant Ownership

00:18:43 - Understanding Debt Covenants in Franchising

00:23:25 - Combining Five Guys with Another Brand

00:25:40 - Managing Shiny Object Syndrome as an Entrepreneur

00:31:18 - Avoid Entrepreneurial Mistakes: Focus First

00:34:57 - Building Relationships Key to Franchise Success

00:41:37 - Evolving Leadership Skills in Business

Follow Lucas:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmitchellhq?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmitchellhq/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E8: Stretching the Limits: The Rise of StretchLab, with Steve Hitzemann Mar 12, 2024

Loosen up. Literally.

StretchLab is the Austin-based company helping others to increase performance and decrease joint pain. The Wolf chats with owner Steve Hitzemann about the fast-growing franchise’s rapid ascent to success.

How did Steve dare to dream of a business model based on nothing more than stretching? Hear how Steve made the impossible possible, and how he’s making a two-membership franchise financially sustainable.

Is the stretching franchise just another fad? And if so, how has Steve prepared to compete in a potentially soon-to-be oversaturated market?

From its customized one-on-one sessions to a unique approach to customized service with expertly trained flexologists, discover how StretchLab is revolutionizing the wellness industry with its approach to flexibility and overall well-being.

With six locations open, and more on the way, you won’t wanna miss hearing Steve’s insights on the value of simplicity, staffing, and scalability.

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.’

00:00:50 - Stretch Lab: Revolutionizing Personalized Stretching

00:03:42 - Training and Connection Key for Flexologists

00:09:05 - StretchLab’s Services

00:13:08 - Creating a Scalable Fitness Program

00:17:05 - Staffing That’s Driven by Membership Base Strategy

00:26:49 - Expanding from One Studio to Six Stretch Labs

00:31:25 - Scaling a Growing Organization with Multiple Locations

00:40:38 - Market Saturation Concerns for Assisted Stretching

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E7: A Bundt Cake Franchise With ~$300k In Profits?! Mar 05, 2024

The Wolf’s taking a break from his normal podcasting format to break down the latest in franchising news this week.

Is Orange Theory’s acquisition by Self Esteem Brands a good thing or a sign of impending doom? With Orange Theory’s numbers diminishing since the initial insanity of their boom, could this spell disaster or is it a shrewd business move?

The Wolf also tackles Domino’s latest earnings announcement before trying his hardest not to become a total Crumbl apologist. He’s taking a hard look at the announcement of the franchise savant’s diminishing sales numbers and diving into whether or not a dessert franchise can ever truly be sustainable.

Will Crumbl find their steady state and buck the trend to become more than just another fledgling fad? Or is this the beginning of the end?

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E5: Listener Mailbag: Your Hottest Franchising Questions Answered Feb 20, 2024

The Wolf is breaking it down solo for this special Q&A session, where he’s answering your most burning questions about the world of franchising.

What are the different strategies and considerations involved in owning one to two locations versus four to five locations? Are home services and non-brick-and-mortar franchises the place to hedge your franchising bets?

From the costs of hiring a fast food general manager to the best value propositions for aspiring entrepreneurs, The Wolf provides his most valuable insights and advice from his years of experience.

The Wolf also addresses the excitement around pet-related franchises in 2024 and the importance of speaking to franchisees to get an accurate picture of the business. Plus, find out his best thoughts about industry red flags and how to avoid “snake oil” franchises.

00:00:00 - Investing in Profitable Franchises for Returns

00:01:48 – The Hype Around Home Service Brands

00:05:18 - Top Franchise Choices for Investment

00:06:37 - Overhead Comparison for Owning Multiple Locations

00:07:57 - Outsourcing and Hiring for Growth

00:11:36 - American Fast Food Franchise Saturation Concerns

00:18:33 - Exciting Pet Franchises in 2024

00:23:51 - Key Attributes for Successful Franchise

00:25:10 - Franchising Red Flags

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E4: The Hand and Stone Massage Franchise Who Has Built a $80m/year Empire Feb 13, 2024

Eric Danver is the man who’s owned 100+ franchise locations over the course of his impressive career, including 58 Hand and Stone locations and 53 Philadelphia-based Papa John’s. He chats with the Wolf about his storied franchise career and the new challenges and opportunities the business presents in an ever-changing landscape.

From his humble beginnings in the pizza industry to building a successful portfolio of Papa John's and Hand and Stone franchises, Eric shares his insights on what it takes to thrive in the competitive food industry. Learn about the strategies and operational excellence that propelled his success and how he navigated the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.

And later, he and the Wolf also talk about the ever-growing industry of pickleball and the new and unique franchise opportunities it presents. Is it possible Ace Pickleball is onto a future goldmine? Tune in to find out Eric’s true thoughts on the matter, and much, much more!

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

00:00:00 - From Domino's to Papa John's

00:02:21 - Papa John's Dominates Philadelphia Pizza

00:05:12 - The Secrets to Successful Operations

00:09:34 - The Cost of Building a Papa John's Location

00:14:13 - From Food to Spas: Hand and Stone

00:22:28 - Building a Big Company: Roles and Responsibilities

00:23:40 - Maintaining Stability in Margins and Talent Acquisition

00:28:35 - Networking Tips for New Franchisees

00:34:23 - The Future of Ace Pickleball

00:39:42 - Ace Pickleball Expanding with New Locations

00:42:24 - The Benefits of a Membership

Find Out More About Hand and Stone:

Website: https://www.fggspallc.com

Follow Eric:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdanver/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E3: When a Fad Turns into Failure: How to Defeat the Franchise Hype Cycle, with Dru Capenito Feb 06, 2024

Everyone wants to be the next Crumbl. But let’s face it—not every new and hot franchise can be the next Crumbl. Fads aren't always bad. But sometimes they can spell failure. So how can you protect yourself against becoming the next franchise fad failure?

The Wolf chats with friend of the podcast and franchise consultant, Dru Carpenito about the franchise hype cycle and how to avoid the pitfalls of investing in oversaturated franchise markets.

What are the risks and rewards of investing in trending franchise brands? Is it worth the gamble or are the growing pains too much to overcome? Dru explains why finding the right operator is crucial and dissects the impact that copycat franchises can have on your business.

And later, the Wolf and Dru delve into the role of private equity in franchising, discussing the growing prominence of brokers and franchise sales organizations. Learn why paying due diligence when evaluating franchise opportunities is key, and how to spot companies who may not be forthright with their financial disclosures.

00:00:00 - The Franchise Hype Cycle: Oversaturation

00:02:33 - The Risk of Copycats in Franchising

00:09:57 - Navigating the Risks of Franchising

00:20:40 - Franchisees Need More Capital for Success

00:22:54 - Understanding Franchise Metrics: Key Takeaways

00:25:31 - The Rise of Franchise Fee Inflation

00:29:38 - The Reality of Franchising: No Passive Investment

00:35:20 - Finding Success in Home Service Franchises

00:42:03 - The Math Behind Home Services

00:47:21 - Culver's: A Responsible Approach to Franchising

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow Dru:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drucarpenito/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E2: AMA with The Wolf of Franchises Jan 30, 2024

It’s time for the listeners to “Ask Me Anything”!

When does a franchise restaurant become a viable investment? The answer may vary depending on factors such as the number of units and states involved, as well as an individual's risk appetite. Discover the key considerations that can help determine the right time to invest in a franchise.

In this episode, The Wolf also shares his thoughts on the future of franchising, highlighting the food and beverage category as a major player. Find out which franchise category he is most bullish on.

If you're interested in buying an emerging brand, dive in and learn what factors to consider to increase your chances of success.

00:00:02 - Key Factors to Evaluate Emerging Brands

00:01:57 - Building a Scalable Brand with Replica Operations

00:02:54 - Assessing the Financial Health of Franchise Brands

00:05:15 - Top Franchise Categories to Watch

00:08:36 - When Does a Franchise Restaurant Become a Viable Investment?

00:11:48 - The Relevance of Franchises in the Age of Information

00:12:59 - Defining and Protecting Territories for Franchise Concepts

00:18:53 - Identifying the Franchise with Highest Failure Rate

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S8 E1: The Family Who Owns 78+ McDonald’s Jan 23, 2024

Join The Wolf as he sits down with John Valluzzo and his sons, Michael and Nick, to explore their reign of owning over 80+ McDonald's locations as they dive deep into the fascinating world of the iconic fast-food franchise.

The Valluzzos share their family's deep-rooted connection to McDonald's and explain their incredible journey to owning such a vast portfolio of locations.

Discover the secrets behind McDonald's renowned training programs, including the prestigious Hamburger University, and hear how they ensure consistent quality and service across their restaurants. Nick also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a franchisee, from navigating acquisitions and high barrier-to-entry costs to maintaining profitability in a rapidly changing industry.

Plus, what’s the real truth about that infamous ice cream machine that never works? Hear about McDonald’s innovative use of technology and data management to streamline operations and drive success.

Whether you're a fan of McDonald's or interested in the world of franchising, you won’t want to miss these incredible insights into the inner workings of one of the most iconic brands in the world.

00:03:16 - The McDonald's Legacy: Continuing the Family Business

00:11:28 - Massive Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions

00:19:04 - Breaking into McDonald's: Is it Achievable?

00:22:52 - Inside the Training Program at McDonald's

00:29:52 - McDonald's Tech: Proprietary vs. Third Party

00:34:38 - McDonald's CEO Talks Rising Costs

00:39:38 - Success Stories of Former Employees

00:47:32 - The Truth About McDonald's Ice Cream Machines

00:51:51 - Efficient Maintenance Team Keeps Operations Running Smoothly

00:59:33 - Challenges of Passing on Family Businesses

01:06:02 - Early Riser Trio's Morning Routine

Learn More About Valluzzo Companies:

Website: https://valluzzocompanies.com

Follow the Valluzzo Brothers:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valluzzo.brothers/

Nick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-valluzzo/

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvalluzzo/

John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-valluzzo-47a989b/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E12: A Look Back at 2023's Greatest Moments Dec 19, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we’re taking a step back to take a look at some of the best moments we’ve had here on Franchise Empires.

Over the last two years, the Wolf has had the chance to interview some incredible franchise players, and we’ve compiled some of the best, most impactful moments over the course of his entire run for this year-end retrospective.

From capturing demand in the marketplace to thinking about how to invest in franchise unit models, these next six experts are a goldmine of wisdom that's bound to enrich your franchising journey as 2023 draws to a close.

Get ready to glean from their expertise and elevate your understanding of the franchising landscape.

Follow The Wolf:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E11: The Portfolio Franchise Company Dominating the Home Services Industry & Building a Home Services Empire Dec 12, 2023

Meet Zach Beutler, the mastermind behind Horsepower Brands, a dynamo company dominating the home services franchise industry. With a portfolio of eight successful franchises, Zach shares his personal journey as a third-generation entrepreneur and the many valuable lessons he's learned along the way.

How does Horsepower Brands combine incubation and acquisition strategies to transform underperforming concepts into thriving businesses? Zach reveals how Horsepower courts potential brands and sets them apart from the competition through the unique shared services model they offer, including call centers, marketing agencies, accounting firms, and data analytics.

Zach also discusses the importance of finding great people and shares how Horsepower invested in its own recruiting company to ensure the success of its franchisees.

And stay tuned as later, he and the Wolf commiserate over the first-year lifecycle of a franchisee, with Zach breaking down exactly how effective business management can lead to long-term success.

00:00:00 - Entrepreneur Shares Story of Franchise Success

00:01:19 - From Livestock Auction to Beefy Commerce: The Horsepower Story

00:04:40 - From Bankruptcy to Franchise Success

00:09:09 - Avoid Costly Mistakes When Signing Leases

00:12:52 - Horsepower Acquires Successful Home Services Franchise

00:16:56 - The Benefits of Horsepower's Shared Services Model

00:23:20 - Identifying Industries for Incubation and Acquisition

00:29:03 - Building Wealth Through Strategic Acquisitions

00:30:50 - Setting Expectations for Franchisees Success

00:33:58 - Navigating the First Year as a Franchisee

00:36:09 - Achieving Business Goals with EOS

00:39:00 - Discover the Buzz Franchise Brands

Learn More About Horsepower Brands:

Website: https://horsepowerbrands.com/#Sponsors

Follow Zach:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachery-beutler/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E10: From College to Business Partners - Lessons from 5 Territory Owner Group of Ace Handyman Service Dec 05, 2023

In this week’s ep, the Wolf’s chatting with Dan Giacomazzi and Artem Lopatchenko, two business partners in one of America’s fastest-growing home services franchises, Ace Handyman Services, about the benefits of having a franchising partner.

Discover Dan and Artem’s journey in expanding their franchise territory and learn about their favorite strategies for attracting new customers. How do they divide and conquer tasks to maximize efficiency? From marketing tactics to building trust with clients, Dan and Artem share valuable insights for growing a home services franchise.

Plus, hear why beefing with your competition doesn’t always pay off—is it possible that your enemy may actually be your biggest ally?

00:01:04 - The Genesis of a Business Partnership

00:06:18 - Finding Complementary Ventures

00:12:27 - From Four to Five Territories: How Marketing Led to Expansion

00:13:54 - Building Trust for Local Home Services Brands

00:17:32 - The Connection Between Physical Stores and Online Business

00:24:01 - The Benefits of Having a Business Partner

00:26:32 - Starting a Venture: Partner or Solo?

00:33:17 - The Truth About Franchise Ownership

00:36:15 - Are You at Capacity?

00:37:40 - Expanding Home Services Business Vertically

00:45:00 - Residential vs. Commercial Business Split

00:45:52 - Starting and Scaling a Home Service Franchise with Ace Handyman Services

Follow Dan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgiacomazzi/

Follow Artem:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artemlopatchenko/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E9: From Motherhood to Magnolia: The Inspiring Journey of Magen Bynum, Founder of Magnolia Soap Nov 28, 2023

Magen Bynum, the founder of Magnolia Soap and Bath, drops by to chat with the Wolf about how she turned a plant-based alternative for sensitive skin into a franchise empire. Discover the inspiring story behind Magen’s creation of Magnolia Soap and how her daughter’s desire for a chemical-free solution led to her franchising journey.

With plans to open 50+ locations in 2024, Magnolia’s rapid expansion makes it a formidable appointment in the plant-based alternative space. From eliminating harmful chemicals to using natural ingredients like mica for coloring, Magen describes why Magnolia Soap prioritizes the well-being of its customers from head to toe and how she turned a one-time passion project into franchise gold.

Plus, how does Magnolia Soap balance its direct-to-consumer efforts with franchisee success? And how does its unique experiential marketing approach set it up for long-term franchise growth? Tune in to find out more!

00:00:07 - Creating a Plant-Based Alternative Soap

00:05:49 - Eliminating Red Dyes for Allergies

00:07:50 - From Local Retail to Nationwide E-commerce

00:11:17 - The Strategy Behind Magnolia Soap's Corporate Stores

00:14:54 - The Journey of Franchising Success

00:17:18 - Magnolia's Grassroots Marketing and Handmade Products

00:23:25 - Balancing Direct-to-Consumer and Franchising

00:28:36 - Franchise Store Count Doubles in a Year

00:32:04 - Magnolia Plans 50 New Locations in 2024

00:34:30 - Online Presence of Magnolia Soap

Learn More About Magnolia Soap and Bath:

Website: https://www.magnoliasoapandbath.com/pages/franchise

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magnolia-soap-and-bath-company/

Follow Magen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magenbynummagnoliasoap/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E8: Rolling Suds’ Squeaky-Clean Saga Towards Franchise Success, with Aaron Harper Nov 21, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Aaron Harper, the CEO of Rolling Suds, one of the fastest-growing power-washing franchises in the country.

Aaron reveals how Rolling Suds scaled to 59 units in 16 states since February of this year, and explains the game-changing strategies and systems that contributed to Rolling Suds’ overwhelming success. From their comprehensive training program to their early focus on customer satisfaction, learn about the key factors that have set Rolling Suds apart in the power washing industry.

Aaron also shares his insights on how to create responsible franchise growth, explains why aligning sales and operations is vital to franchise success, and details the unique opportunities the service franchise industry presents to entrepreneurs.

To learn how franchisors can create a better environment to support the growth of their franchisees, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

00:02:59 - Uncovering Commonalities Among Successful Franchisees

00:03:45 - Scaling Secrets: Operations and Sales

00:07:35 - Aligning Expectations for New Franchisees

00:10:15 - Supporting Franchisees: When to Hire

00:13:14 - Franchise Success: Opening and Selling Units

00:18:35 - The Fastest Growing Power Washing Franchise

00:23:51 - The Risks of Buying Franchises

00:25:20 - Scaling Franchisees: Overcoming Employee Challenges

00:33:50 - Managing Expectations for Franchisees

00:38:52 - The Rise of Profitable Service Franchises

00:43:37 - Building the Biggest Franchise Power Washing Company

00:51:23 – Why Franchise Growth Requires High Capital

00:54:21 - The Core Tenets of Responsible Franchising

Learn More About Rolling Suds:

Website: https://rollingsudsfranchise.com

Follow Aaron:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harper-998140125/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RollingSudsCEO

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E7: Creating a Differentiated Franchise - Carmelo Marsala, Founder of Spray-Net Nov 14, 2023

Meet the first person to mass-market a factory-finished painting solution at the convenience of your home.

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Carmelo Marsala, Founder and CEO of Spray-Net, to discuss the ins and outs of franchising and scaling a business. Carmelo shares his experiences and insights on the challenges of scaling a territory model, onboarding new franchisees, and the realities of making a franchise profitable.

Carmelo explains how his Quebec-based business prepared for territory expansion in the United States and how Canadian franchise ownership differs from Stateside operations. Then, he breaks down how Spray-Net has managed to gain lasting traction by differentiating itself in the painting industry through its unique approach and proprietary software.

And stay tuned as the Wolf and Carmelo also discuss the benefits of partnering with franchise sales organizations and the importance of data in unlocking new possibilities for franchisees.

00:00:34 - From Soccer to Painting: The Transition and Motivation

00:02:03 - From Student Painting to Revolutionary Spray-Net

00:06:42 - Creating a Franchise with Patented Technology

00:14:32 - Expanding Franchise Opportunities in the US

00:18:04 - From Operations to Franchising

00:23:05 - Creating Custom Software for Home Services

00:27:12 - Outsourcing Digital Marketing for Franchisees

00:30:18 - Challenges of Scaling Franchise Territories

00:31:23 - Unlocking Franchisee Growth with Real-Time Data

00:40:39 - SprayNet Aims for 100 Million Dollars in 5 Years

Learn More About Spray-Net:

Franchise Website: https://www.spraynetfranchise.com/launch-a-franchise

Website: https://www.spray-net.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spray-net-inc/

Follow Carmelo:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmelomarsala/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E6: From Delivery Boy To Domino’s Franchisee (And Mahana Fresh Founder) - Dave Wood’s Journey Nov 07, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Dave Wood, the mastermind behind Mahana Fresh, a healthy bowl concept that’s taken the restaurant industry by storm. Discover the challenges and triumphs of opening three restaurants during the midst of a global pandemic, and how Mahana Fresh has adapted and thrived in the face of adversity.

Dave discusses his journey from being a student at the University of North Carolina to managing a local Domino's store and how his experiences in the pizza industry shaped his approach to building Mahana Fresh.

From the origins of the name Mahana Fresh to the brand's online presence and celebrity endorsement with NBA star Kyle Kuzma, Dave shares insights into the vision and values that drive his business. Tune in to learn why restaurants are a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, and how Dave's experience as a Domino's franchisee prepared him for success.

00:00:29 - From Pizza Delivery to Franchise Success

00:08:57 - From Manager to Owner: The Path to Franchise Success

00:15:08 - Domino's Expansion: Managing Employee Headcount

00:19:06 - The Story Behind Domino's Rolex

00:23:25 - Healthy Bowl Concept Thrives Amidst Pandemic

00:30:24 - NBA Star Balances Basketball and Business

00:36:40 - The Growing Opportunity in Restaurants

00:43:57 - Where to Find Mahana Fresh Online

Learn More About Mahana Fresh:

Website: https://www.mahanafresh.com/franchise

Follow Dave:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wood-9975a38/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E5: Franchising’s Hottest Takes, with Erik van Horn of “The Franchise Secrets Podcast” Oct 31, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Erik van Horn, host of "The Franchise Secrets Podcast," for a special crossover episode. In this lively conversation, they dish out some hot takes on the franchise industry and discuss the importance of transparency and financial literacy for franchisees.

From the value of item 19s to the power of content marketing, Erick and The Wolf share their insights and experiences in the world of franchising. Discover why building a strong brand and providing valuable resources to franchisees are crucial for success.

Plus, get a glimpse into Erik's journey as a media entrepreneur, and find out how he has grown his Twitter audience and newsletter following. Learn why content creation is addictive and how it can help elevate your franchise brand.

00:01:20 - Franchise Growth Through Media Strategies

00:09:08 - The Power of Partnering with Work Week

00:15:58 - Are Franchises Worth the Investment?

00:17:43 - The Value of Research in Content Creation

00:21:21 - Why Brands Hide Franchise Information

00:24:02 - The Importance of Profitability in Franchising

00:28:02 - Franchisors Use Regulation as Excuse

00:33:42 - How to Evaluate a Franchise Brand

00:38:47 - Finding Outliers in Your First Year

00:44:51 - Franchisors Neglecting Financial Education for Franchisees

00:51:02 - Where to Focus Your Energy in Social Media

Follow Erik’s Pod, “The Franchise Secrets Podcast” here.

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E4: How Hoppin’ Became America’s First Self-Serve Bar Franchise, with Rich Moyer Oct 24, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Rich Moyer, the mastermind behind Hoppin’ Franchise Group, to discuss Hoppin’s unique self-serve taproom concept that aims to revolutionize the bar and restaurant industry.

Discover how Hoppin’ eliminates the headaches typically associated with owning a bar to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for customers…because honestly, who likes waiting for a bartender to pour their beer?

Rich shares insights into the financials of running a bar or restaurant, including typical profit margins and cost of goods. Plus, learn why Rich and his team are seeking ideal candidates who are willing to take a leap of faith and join their franchise family.

From their innovative technology to their focus on community partnerships, the Wolf is unraveling exactly how Hoppin’ is changing the game in the hospitality industry. Tune in for this valuable glimpse into what it takes to own a bar-based franchise.

00:00:54 - Hoppin’: The Ultimate Bar Owner's Solution

00:09:27 - From Construction to Ice Cream: The Profitable Journey

00:11:05 - The Benefits of Franchising a Business

00:13:18 - The Challenges of Franchising During COVID

00:16:38 - Exploring Growth Avenues in Franchising

00:19:20 - Impressive Revenue Growth for Construction Company

00:23:50 - Finding the Ideal Candidate for Emerging Franchises

00:26:18 - Building a Community with Local Partners

00:28:25 - Profit Margins in the Restaurant Industry

00:30:11 - Find the Hoppin’ Franchise Online

Learn More About Hoppin’:

Website: https://Hoppin’brandsfranchising.com

Follow Rich:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-m-02019551/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E3: The Only Pharmaceutical Franchise— With Multi-Unit Owner, Jim Kodman Oct 17, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Jim Kodman, a pharmacist and franchise owner of Vital Care, an acute and chronic infusion service franchise, as he reveals how Vital Care became the fastest-growing infusion franchise company in the nation, with over 60+ locations.

Jim shares his journey of becoming a franchise owner and unpacks exactly how Vital Care conquered the market in the home and specialty infusion service industry.

Jim also explains the importance of working with IV medications and the impact it has on patients' lives, later discussing his growth goals for Vital Care and the contracting opportunities that come with expanding the franchise.

Plus, tune in to find out how margins in the pharmaceutical industry vary from other sectors, and the unique qualifications anyone interested in franchising a home infusion franchise should possess.

00:01:12 - Specialized Home Infusion for Neurologic Conditions

00:05:07 - Vital Care: Treating Severe Conditions

00:08:53 - The Scale of Franchise Growth

00:12:16 - The Cost of Medication Coverage

00:17:55 - Pharmacist Diversifies with Vital Care Franchises

00:21:31 - Franchise Your Pharmacy for Success

00:23:59 - Owning a Pharmacy Without Being a Pharmacist

00:26:34 - Understanding Pharmacy Margins: A Range Analysis

00:29:28 - Expansion Goals for Vital Care

Learn More About Vital Care:

Website: https://www.vitalcare.com

Learn More About Advance Care Pharmacy:

Website: https://www.advancecarepharm.com

Follow Jim:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-kodman-rph-485333124/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

10 of the Most Fascinating Franchise Facts Oct 10, 2023

Join The Wolf as he dives into the fascinating world of franchising with a data-driven episode.

In this episode, The Wolf shares ten intriguing statistics about the franchise industry, providing valuable insights for both aspiring entrepreneurs and established franchise owners alike.

He’s breaking down the vital stats any aspiring or current franchisor should know, like the average number of units signed but not opened for a franchise, the median unit growth per franchise per year, and the challenges of franchise expansion.

Plus, what’s the average failure rate of brands? How about the average number of franchise territories and locations operating in the US? For the answers to that, and more interesting facts, tune in to find out!

00:00:00 - 10 Fascinating Franchise Industry Facts

00:01:35 - The Truth About Franchises in America

00:05:00 - The Truth About Franchise Numbers

00:06:53 - The Challenges of Franchise Expansion

00:08:03 - Challenges of Franchise Location Growth

00:09:24 - Franchise Success Rates and Trends

00:12:49 - Franchises Lack Transparency in Financials

00:17:12 - Challenges of Opening Franchise Units

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S7 E1: How Pickleball Became America’s Hottest New Franchise Opportunity, with Joe Sexton Oct 03, 2023

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Joe Sexton, President of Ace Pickleball Club, to discuss the booming popularity of pickleball and the exciting opportunities it presents for franchise owners. Discover why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and how it brings people of all ages together.

Joe shares insights into the real estate aspect of pickleball clubs and the strategic partnerships that can drive success and talks to Wolf about the unique challenges and rewards of starting a franchise from scratch and how Ace Pickleball Club has positioned itself for rapid growth.

From the importance of community to the potential for NCAA scholarships, Joe explores why pickleball is here to stay and why it's more than just a trend. If you're interested in the world of franchising or the future of sports, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00:00 - Franchise Financial Aggregator with QuickBooks

00:05:11 - New Franchisees Acquire NJ.com

00:12:39 - Rapid Growth in Development Pipeline

00:20:55 - The Risks of Big Franchise Deals

00:24:41 - Ace Pickleball Club's Acquisition Journey

00:33:09 - Challenges of Developing an Emerging Franchise

00:36:33 - The Growing Popularity of Pickleball

00:49:47 - The Power of Pickleball Community

00:54:18 – Pickleball and NCAA Scholarships

01:00:50 - Discover Ace Pickleball Club Online

01:02:10 - Check Out Ace's Growth!

Learn More About Ace Pickleball:

Website: https://www.acepickleballclub.com

Follow Joe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sextonjoe/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

S6 E14: From 12 to 140+ Locations: The Franchisee Who Skyrocketed Orangetheory to Fame Sep 28, 2023

Meet Jamie Weeks, a dynamic entrepreneur who's not afraid to make waves in the franchising industry. With a remarkable portfolio of 140 Orangetheory fitness studios and plans to launch 60 Dogtopia franchises, Jamie recently stepped into the entrepreneurial arena with his own brand, Sweathouz.

In this deep dive into the archives, the Wolf revisits how Jamie managed to cultivate a thriving company culture while maintaining a multitude of businesses.

Then, Jamie shares insights about how a pivotal private equity deal catapulted him from 12 to 140 locations and how risk-taking played a central role in his recipe for achieving resounding multi-franchise success.

Plus, can the Wolf handle Jamie’s intensive interview process? Tune in to find out!

Follow Jamie:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdubtweetz

Website: https://www.lfcbrands.com

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 E13: Transforming the Tanning Industry, with Lauren Rampello Becotte of Pure Glow Sep 26, 2023

Have you been curious about what it takes to spin your side hustle into your own full-time business? If so, make sure to tune in for this episode!

Join The Wolf this week as he sits down with Lauren Rampello Becotte, the founder of Pure Glow Tanning, to discuss her journey from side hustle to opening her first Pure Glow location. Discover the benefits of airbrush tanning and just why it has taken so long for innovation in this cosmetic space to happen.

Lauren shares her passion for providing a safe and organic alternative to traditional tanning methods, and explains the importance of using high-quality ingredients in the process. Learn about the customization and expertise that goes into each airbrush tan and why it provides longer-lasting and more natural-looking results.

From navigating the challenges of finding the perfect location in Boston to self-teaching branding and marketing, join us as Lauren shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she's learned along the way.

00:00 - Intro

02:19 - The Start of the Journey

05:01 - Beauty and Wellness Trends in Southern California

10:08 - Lessons Learned

12:31 - Bootstrapping Success

16:21 - Pure Glow's Client-Centric Approach

18:15 - When to Hire Your First Employee

18:57 - Alternative Tanning Demand

25:15 - The Science Behind Orange Spray Tans

26:49 - Get a Safe and Organic Airbrush Tan

29:30 - Benefits of Airbrush Tanning

32:13 - The Slow Innovation in Cosmetics

Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www/linkedin.com/in/laurenrampello

Follow The Wolf on Twitter: @thewolfoffranchises

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 E12: King of Franchises: The Man Who Owns 2400+ Fast Food Locations Sep 19, 2023

He’s the unabashed king of franchises.

Meet Greg Flynn, the visionary behind Flynn Restaurant Group and Flynn Properties, boasting over 2,400 franchises like Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Panera, and more. His $4 billion empire spans 44 states and employs 73,000 people.

In this episode from the archives, Greg unveils the secrets of his success, like why he remains a true restaurant operator, how he views the art of running a franchise like a collaborative business process, and how the franchising model allows you to focus on what truly matters.

Yeah—this is an episode you won’t want to miss and maybe want to view twice. It's just. THAT GOOD.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Follow Greg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flynn-restaurant-group/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 E11: Ron Holt on Fun, Franchising, and Disrupting the Moving Industry Sep 12, 2023

Can your movers put on a dance show? Didn’t think so

Join The Wolf as he delves into the world of moving franchises with guest Ron Holt, owner of Pink Zebra Moving.

Discover Ron's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a franchise guru. Starting with a strong marketing strategy, he built his empire, one unit at a time, with the intent to disrupt the moving industry.

Ron explains how his vision for Pink Zebra Moving changed the industry by creating a whole new category of” happy movers”. With their signature pink vans and commitment to making moving fun, Pink Zebra Moving stands out from the rest with their unique showmanship and penchant for flair.

He and Wolf dive into the challenges of hiring franchisees who share the passion for the fun moving cause, and how Ron’s on a mission to expand and make a mark across the country.

0:00 Intro/Background

3:40 Building Two Maids and a Mop

5:20 Early Franchising Lessons

9:50 Standardizing Processes

12:30 Selling Two Maids and a Mop

17:07 Seeing Opportunity in Moving

22:40 What’s in a Name?

26:43 Hiring Franchisees

32:12 Future Pink Zebra Plans

Learn More About Pink Zebra:

Website: https://www.pinkzebramovingfranchise.com

Follow Ron:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronholtfranchise/

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 E10: How Top Rail Became the Fastest-Growing Fencing Franchise in the US Sep 05, 2023

Tune in as The Wolf sits down with Todd Bingham, the visionary CEO of Homefront Brands, to take a deep dive into the intricacies of franchising America’s fastest-growing fence rail company.

Todd explains how Homefront Brands has cracked the code in commercial fencing with a scalable model that's both ingenious and strategic as he reveals why fostering franchisee success is paramount to your overall bottom line. With a unique approach to warehousing and resources, he also unveils why setting franchisees up for success without an overwhelming overhead is key in the fencing industry.

Plus, take a sneak peek into the playbook of Top Rail's game-changing franchise model as Todd uncovers his roadmap for growth, brand expansion, and creating a legacy of excellence by emphasizing the magic of sustainable success over mere numbers.

0:00 Intro/Background

1:45 The Essence of Franchising

5:34 The Journey to Franchising Top Rail

9:53 Being a Part of Home Front Brands

14:00 How Top Rail Operates

21:50 The Installation Process

25:06 Short and Long Term Goals

29:00 Connect With Us

Learn More About Top Rail:

Website: https://toprailfranchising.com

Follow Todd:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbingham/

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 E9: Building a Dessert Empire - Meet Dan Reese of Milkshake Factory Aug 29, 2023

Discover the sweet success story of the Milkshake Factory, a beloved Pittsburgh-based franchise that has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of locals and celebrities alike. Join The Wolf as he chats with Dan Reese, the business mastermind behind the franchise, as they discuss the key ingredients to their success, their unique partnership with Costco, and the challenges and rewards of growing a franchise.

From their homemade vanilla base to their commitment to quality and operational efficiency, The Milkshake Factory has become a community favorite for chocolate lovers. Learn how their family legacy and dedication to excellence have propelled them to franchise success.

But it's not just about milkshakes. Discover how The Milkshake Factory expanded their offerings to include pet treats, partnering with Costco to reach a wider audience. Find out why their collaboration with the retail giant was a game-changer for their business.

If you're considering franchising or growing your own business, Dan shares valuable insights on the process, including the importance of being well-capitalized and finding the right partners. Hear about their unique approach to franchise development and how they've navigated the challenges along the way.

Join The Wolf and Dan Reese as they take you behind the scenes of The Milkshake Factory, and share the stories that have made this franchise a true success.

00:00:00 - Milkshake Factory: Fourth Generation Chocolatier's Story

00:06:45 - Co-Created: The Milkshake Factory at Costco

00:11:12 - Costco's Pet Treats

00:15:09 - Costco's approach to CPG

00:17:00 - Adam Levine on The Milkshake Factory

00:23:18 - McDonald's on Warren Buffett and Kraft Heinz

00:24:22 - The Milkshake Factory: Why They're So Successful

00:28:32 - Tom Hanks Meets The Milkshake Factory

00:35:23 - Penguins Ice Cream Shop: The Secret to Success

00:38:28 - Grow Your Franchise: The Process, Do's and Don't

00:39:35 - Philip Franworth on Partnering With Repham

00:46:24 - Milkshake Factory Franchise Discovery Day

Follow Milkshake Factory:

Website: https://www.milkshakefactory.com

Follow Dan:

Twitter: @danreese21

Follow The Wolf on Twitter:

@thewolfoffranchises

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 Ep8: 6 Brands, 1 Vision: Inside Jeff Dudan's Home Front Revolution Aug 22, 2023

The Wolf welcomes entrepreneurial dynamo Jeff Dudan, as they dive deep into the captivating story behind Advanta Clean, which rapidly scaled to 250 locations across 40 states.

From being on the frontlines during Hurricane Katrina to gaining a holistic perspective on disaster scenes, Jeff's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Listen in as Jeff candidly discusses the pivotal decision to sell Advanta Clean and his pursuits beyond it.

How do you respond to underperforming franchisees? How can you overcome fear and self-limiting beliefs? Jeff shares valuable insights into the humanity behind franchising and explores why leading with empathy is a genuine asset in building a franchise empire.

Plus, find out Jeff’s remarkable journey of creating Homefront Brands—and how he surpassed 15 years' worth of work at Advanta Clean in 12 short months of creating his new brand.

0:00 Intro/Advanta Clean Background

12:30 Transitioning Away From Advanta Clean

17:20 Selling Advanta Clean & Mindset Shifts

30:26 The Human Aspect of Franchising

36:00 Homefront and Thrive More

43:12 Acquiring Other Brands

Buy Jeff’s Book Discernment here.

Follow Home Front Brands:

Website: https://www.homefrontbrands.com

Podcast: On the Home Front

Follow Jeff:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffdudan

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

The #1 Software Platform for Building Your Future Franchise (Solo Edition) Aug 15, 2023

This week, the Wolf’s flying solo, and he’s walking you through the best tool in the industry to use for developing your future franchise.

Looking for a versatile tool with all of the dirty franchise details you need to know before investing? Wolf's divulging why Krokit is the perfect platform for any aspiring franchisee or owner looking to make their mark in the franchise game.

With over 2100 franchise profiles, Krokit has scraped the web for the most up-to-date FDDs and data dating all the way back to 2019, including lesser-known franchise brands that haven’t been widely accessible until now.

Plus, Krokit’s not just for potential franchisees or franchisors—tune in to find out who else can benefit from using the platform.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 Ep6: Helping People, Helping Pets— Scenthound’s Membership-Based Grooming Empire Aug 08, 2023

Tim Vogel’s fascination with dogs began at a young age. Perplexed and compelled by his four-legged friend's behavior, Tim knew that the pet industry was the place where he could create a business that left the world a better place than how he found it.

Enter Scenthound, the world’s first membership-based grooming business. On a mission to help people connect with their pets by removing barriers to clean, healthy dogs, Scenthound provides an easy, affordable way for pet owners to maintain their pet's well-being,

Tune in to find out Tim’s incredible advice to others embarking on their own franchise journey, why he and Wolf both feel like entrepreneurship can be an especially lonely process, and why Tim believes franchising feels like starting a new business because it is starting a new business.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 Ep5: Sweetgreen - From A College Project to Billion Dollar IPO Aug 01, 2023

Salad shouldn’t scale.

So how did Sweetgreen defy those odds, creating a health food franchise fixated on quality, sustainability, and healthy eating?

Now, with nearly 1,000 locations across the US, Sweetgreen co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman is finally divulging his franchise playbook to the Wolf.

Tune in to hear why Sweetgreen grew to the success it did and how Jonathan utilized technology, scrappy fundraising tactics, and festival marketing to scale a small, DC-based health food restaurant into a franchise that sacrificed none of its quality along the way as it grew into multi-million dollar chain.

0:00 Intro/Background

3:42 Multi-Unit Growth Path

9:00 The Sweet Life Festival

18:50 Expansion and Franchising

28:11 Fundraising

32:51 The Infinite Kitchen

39:20 Building In-House Software

Check Out Sweet Green:

https://www.sweetgreen.com

Follow Jonathan:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jonnynemo

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 Ep4: How Peter Taunton Built a 9-Figure Franchise (And Why He’s Doing It Again) Jul 25, 2023

Peter Taunton is proud of the work he’s done— and he’s here to boast about his accomplishments, including how he took Snap Fitness from less than 20 locations to 2400+ and how he’s revolutionizing the acai bowl industry with his latest venture, Nautical Bowls.

Peter chats with Wolf about his plans for building the largest acai bowl franchise in the world and why his implicit understanding of consumer behavior within the health and wellness space led to the success of opening over 52 Nautical Bowls locations nationwide.

Plus, find out why Peter believes that experience matters more than anything when it comes to franchise success.

0:00 Intro/Background

6:05 The Snap Fitness Model

12:00 Growing Pains

16:34 Exploring the Food Industry

23:22 Marketing Acai Bowls

28:00 Growing Global

Find Out More About Nautical Bowls:

https://www.nauticalbowls.com

Follow Peter:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peter_taunton

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise, and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

S6 Ep3: The Secret Reason Why College H.U.N.K.S. Became the Largest Moving Company in the US Jul 18, 2023

It may have started as a joke, but after scaling to over 200+ locations with nearly 3000 employees nationwide, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving is no laughing matter now.

From its early beginnings as a college startup to owner and co-founder Nick Friedman’s hard lessons in franchising, the Wolf’s gathering all the details on exactly how the business became one of the largest moving and hauling companies in the United States.

Then, Nick gets frank about the eye-opening reality that nothing about franchising is easy and explains exactly how College H.U.N.K.S.’s initial efforts to scale gave them the momentum it needed to hit the $300 million revenue mark.

0:00 Intro/Background

4:25 Scaling and Franchising

13:00 Thing I Wish I Knew

17:15 Long-Term Goals

22:29 Franchising Outlook

27:16 Multi-Location Management

33:00 Growth & Momentum

Learn More About College Hunks Hauling Junk:

https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com

Follow Nick:

Website: https://www.nickfriedman.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collegehunkshaulingjunk/

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S6 E2: The Founder That’s Disrupting McDonald’s, Burger King, and “Big Food” Jul 11, 2023

Can you name the ingredients in a McDonalds French fry?

We’ll give you a hint— there’s over 15 of them. And if that doesn’t give you pause for thought, we don’t know what will.

Meet the franchise creator who doesn’t think fast food should be an excuse to skimp out on health or ethics— and he’s doing everything within his power to build a better fast food system from the top down.

Jesse Konig, the co-founder of DC’s best burger joint, Swizzler, and the brainchild behind the French fry brand, Spudz, talks to Wolf about the importance of knowing where your food is coming from, the shaky and fragile nature our own food systems due to centralized corporations and meat manufacturers, and all of dirty secrets behind the beef, potato, and seed oil industries that you’re dying to hear..

Learn how Swizzler and Spudz are going to back to the basics through encouraging local, regenerative farming practices and simple, better ingredients.

0:00:00 Intro/Background

0:25:51 The Food Supplier Chain

0:34:23 Ethical Beef

0:57:57 Creating the Perfect French Fry

1:17:00 Spudz Fries

1:32:00 Contact Us

Check Out Swizzler Foods:

https://www.swizzlerfoods.com

Follow Jesse:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jesse_konig

Email: jesse@spudzfries.com

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S6 Ep1: How Buzz Franchise Brands is Building Companies that Get People Talking Jul 03, 2023

With over 25 years of experience building brands, Kevin Wilson knows a thing or two about creating franchises that last.

Kevin stops by the pod to discuss how his decades’ worth of entrepreneurial experience led him to create the multi-brand franchise empire known as Buzz Franchise Brands. From his early experience scaling his startup services company, Mosquito Joe, to over 290+ locations, Kevin explains how it eventually led him to the home services industry— and why he’s found such great success within that subsect.

Kevin also talks with Wolf about why British Swim School grew to become the largest swim school franchise in the nation, along with the origins of his other franchises, including Home Clean Heroes, Grand Illuminations, and Pool Scouts.

Plus, find out how Kevin’s chosen to structure his multi-franchise empire and what he credits as the main reason for Buzz Franchise Brand’s phenomenal success.

0:00 Intro/Background

5:30 Marketing Before the Internet

7:19 Moving to South Africa

12:40 Making Money in Airlines

16:00 Mosquito Joe

23:25 British Swim School

32:06 Buzz Franchise Brands

36:17 Grand Illuminations

39:03 Supporting Growth

Follow Buzz Franchise Brands:

Website: https://buzzfranchisebrands.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz-franchise-brands/

Follow Kevin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwilsonbfb/

Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise.

Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep13: The Fast Food Style Laundry Chain Disrupting the Way We Wash Clothes Jun 27, 2023

Think about it— it’s the weekend, and as much as you want to sit down, relax, and pop open an ice-cold bevvie, you’ve got chores to do. And what’s the one thing you hate doing more than anything?

Yep, you guessed it— laundry and the average American spends up to 36 hours a month doing it too. Dan D’Aquisto is the one man trying to change it all through his revolutionary franchise, 2ULaundry, which delivers the world’s first premium laundry/dry-cleaning pickup and delivery service.

That’s right; we’re talking fresh-folded clothes conveniently delivered straight to your door.

This week, the Wolf sits down with Dan to learn more about how he and his business partner came up with the concept of 2ULaundry, how they managed to raise 2.5 million dollars and scale across 7 major cities, and how their business led them to create a laundromat franchise business of their own, LaundroLab.

0:00 Intro/2ULaundry

4:39 Finding a Co-Founder

8:41 The Journey So Far

25:50 LaundroLab

32:25 2U Laundry vs. LaundroLab

36:50 Future Strategy

Learn more about 2ULaundry:

https://www.2ulaundry.com

Learn more about LaundroLab:

https://www.laundrolabfranchise.com

Follow Dan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daquisto/

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep12: From Boston Consulting Group To Multi-Unit Pet Franchise Owner Jun 20, 2023

What’s one of the few franchise markets that continues to grow year after year in customer spend? Hint: it’s furry, and it has four legs.

Over 90% of people view their pets as family— meet the one franchise looking to make a splash in the pet health and wellness space.

Jacob Lee, franchisee to Scenthound, chats with the Wolf about why he chose to pursue the pet grooming business and how Scenthound’s membership-based model is redefining the way we think about the traditional pet grooming payment structure.

Then, he and Wolf discuss why franchise location is one of the most critical aspects of franchising and how to narrow down the best sites for your franchise.

0:00 Intro/Background

6:11 Considering Career Paths

10:35 Narrowing Down the Search

15:16 Dogtopia vs. Scent Hound

20:33 Competition

22:48 The Scent Hound Model

29:00 Franchising Lessons

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

Follow Scenthound:

https://franchise.scenthound.com

Follow Jacob:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Jacoblee295

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-lee-9803a480/

Email: jlee@scenthound.com

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep11: The Early Crumbl Franchisee Who’s Now Building Shaq’s Brand Jun 13, 2023

Meet the man who knows a thing or two about franchising: Jace Mattinson.

Having franchised various brands, including Ace Hardware, Crumbl Cookies, and Big Chicken, Jace’s previous career in private equity was a natural segue into the franchising world.

The Wolf sits down to chat with Jace about his early experience franchising with Ace Hardware, as he explains just how different the hardware world is from the fast food industry.

How did he know that Crumbl would be more than just another fad dessert chain? What makes him confident in the longevity of the Crumbl brand, and what’s his experience been like partnering with Shaq to open Big Chicken locations across Texas?

Then, stay tuned as Jace helps to settle the debate over whether Ace Hardware is a coop of a franchise once and for all.

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

0:00 Intro/Background

3:00 Getting into Hardware

6:34 The Transition to Crumbl

11:46 The Sustainability of Cookies

17:10 Big Chicken

18:38 Getting Outside of Food

23:46 Franchise Collaboration

26:43 Long-Term Plans

34:16 The Fun in Franchise

Follow Jace:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacemattinson/

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Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep10: Building vs. Operating Franchise Stores, with Alex Yeater Jun 06, 2023

How does being an area representative differ from being a franchise owner?

Everbowl’s area rep, Alex Yeater, chats with the Wolf about the ins and out of working for a franchisor and the life cycle of opening stores as an area rep.

He and Wolf also discuss the lessons he’s learned from opening multiple Everbowl locations and how investing in excellent systems and operations is one of the best things you can do to ensure franchise success.

Plus, don’t miss out on hearing what working with Drew Brees is actually like!

0:00 Early Beginnings

3:40 Working at VerizonONE

7:37 Defining an Area Representative

12:20 Building vs. Operating

14:56 Lessons Learned

17:49 Exploring Other Opportunities

25:44 Learn More About Everbowl

Learn More About Everbowl:

https://www.everbowl.com/acai-bowl-franchise

https://www.everbowl.com

Follow Alex:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexyeater/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeater.alex/

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep9: How Biscuit Belly Took the Boring Out of Breakfast May 30, 2023

How do you elevate breakfast food in a novel way that no other franchise is doing?

By taking biscuits to a whole ‘nother level.

Biscuit Belly is a fast-casual franchise taking the boring out of breakfast and making Instagram-worthy foods all across the Southeast.

Owners Chuck Schnatter and Chad Coulter sit down with the Wolf to discuss how they distinguished themselves from franchises like IHOP, Denny’s, and Snooze and what qualities they believe are key to any dining franchise.

Plus, find out how they managed to thrive and survive while opening multiple locations during the pandemic!

0:00 Background

3:22 What Makes a Successful Franchise?

7:15 Why Biscuits?

13:00 Making Food Instagrammable

15:00 Franchising Process

24:32 Takeaways

30:00 Future Plans

Find out more about Biscuit Belly:

https://biscuitbellyfranchise.com

https://biscuitbelly.com

Follow Chad:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-coulter-4663465b

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep8: The Ben & Jerry's Franchisee Who Also Owns...A Starbucks? May 23, 2023

How did former math teacher turned franchise developer Antonio McBroom open 14Ben and Jerry’s locations across South Carolina by himself?

The answer is equal parts hard work and ingenuity.

On this week’s pod, the Wolf finds out how Antonio hustled his way into franchise success by purchasing his own ice cream trailer, opening his stores at 2 am to hungry college kids, and trying just about every other business tactic in between.

Antonio also talks about his latest partnership with Starbucks, in which he’s helping to bring the franchise chain to underserved and diverse communities, empowering minority-owned businesses to contribute to the next phase of his business evolution.

0:00 Background

4:06 Franchise Expansion

8:00 The Catering Hustle

10:30 Partnering with Others

14:55 Starbucks Partnership

22:44 Follow Us

Follow Antonio:

https://www.primopartners.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-mcbroom-43858017/

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep7: Building a Consumer-Facing Coffee Brand, with Jacob Jaber May 16, 2023

How did Philz Coffee grow to become synonymous with fueling the likes of tech giants out of Silicon Valley?

Co-founder, Jacob Jaber, explains how the vision of Philz Coffee came to fruition from his father, who simply wanted to create a place where people could hang out and share great drinks together.

Now, with over 75+ locations, this growing franchise still relies on one key ingredient: creating a memorable, personalized experience for each of its customers. Jacob and the Wolf chat about its unique barista model and how the most important aspect of any business is to create a product that you really, really love.

Then, find out which businesses Jacob prefers to invest in.

0:00 Background

3:40 The Turning Point

6:18 Creating a Community

8:40 Building a Consumer-Facing Brand

15:00 Expansion Plans

17:20 The Phil’s Business Model

28:21 Brand Association

31:40 Building a Brand

37:42 Investing in Consumer Companies

46:08 Follow Us

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

Follow Jacob:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobjaber/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jacobjaber

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep6: How Shelly Sun Built a $639 Million Dollar Franchise May 09, 2023

What’s the best way to drive franchise growth in the senior healthcare industry?

According to Brightstar Care CEO Shelly Sun, it’s paying the best people the best salary possible, encouraging accreditation across all locations to ensure franchise consistency, and aggressive nationwide marketing tactics.

Shelly talks with The Wolf about her top components for a scalable franchise model, the challenges and lessons she’s learned from staying 20% company-owned, and the coming obstacles the home healthcare industry will face as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

Shelly's passion for providing quality care and her strategic mindset for driving brand growth make for an inspiring interview you won’t want to miss.

0:00 Intro

4:28 Brightstar Components

10:40 Stepping Stones to Evolution

19:41 National Accounts Program

22:54 Early Lessons

30:03 Not Selling Out

36:20 Aging Baby Boomers

41:58 Contact Us

Follow Brightstar Care:

https://www.brightstarfranchise.com

https://www.brightstarcare.com

Follow Shelly:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brightstarshellysun/

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep5: How Chris Kenny Raised $300M To Invest in The Biggest Franchises of Tomorrow May 02, 2023

What do fitness, skincare and swim schools have in common? Get ready to make a splash with Chris Kenny as he dives into the success of consumer service brands, from Heyday to Orangetheory to Big Blue Swim School.

Chris is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Level5 Capital Partners. With over a decade of experience investing and operating in the consumer services sector, Chris has been an instrumental part in making L5 a standout player in the franchise industry.

The Wolf and Chris delve into his origins in the business, explore L5’s unique approach to investing in franchises, and talk strategies for accelerating growth and enhancing brand value.

And great customer experience starts with great employee experience. Create business success with Harri, the platform to build, manage, engage and retain your team. Care for your people, and they will care for your customers.

Visit www.harri.com today

Follow Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kenny-09a4271/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep4: Turning Thrift Store Shopping into Franchise Gold with BaseCamp CEOs Zach and Tyler Gordon Apr 25, 2023

How do resale employees determine how much that five-year-old Lululemon shirt is actually worth?

The Wolf sits down with BaseCamp Franchising owners Zach and Tyler Gordon to discover exactly how Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid streamlined resell value subjectivity and turned it into a finely-tuned, fully systematic, operational process across over 200 different locations.

Plus, how are Zach and Tyler inverting the stigma of used clothing and turning it into their personal franchise goldmine in the face of online reselling giants? And why is value one of the biggest motivators of consumer behavior?

Tune in to find out!

00:00 Franchising Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate

9:45 Exploring the Tailwinds of the Resale Market

16:14 A New Way to Shop and Sell Clothing

22:08 Operational Challenges in Resale Businesses

35:10 The Future of Thrift Shopping

43:28 Exploring the Benefits of Resale Franchise Ownership

47:09 The Resale Clothing Industry

50:32 Contact Us

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

Follow BaseCamp Franchises:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/basecamp-franchising/

https://kidtokidfranchise.com/

https://uptowncheapskatefranchise.com/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

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S5 Ep3: Always Have a Playbook for Scaling, with Voda CEO Dan Claps and Zach Nolte Apr 18, 2023

How do you create a 1.7 million dollar franchise beast from a small-scale cleaning company?

According to Voda Cleaning and Restoration franchise owners Dan Clap and Zach Nolte, the secret to scaling lies in franchising a business that naturally lends itself to marketing multiple services.

Dan and Zach chat with the Wolf about how Voda Cleaning and Restoration cornered a large chunk of the home restoration market after discovering that the water damage cleaning business went hand-in-hand with other services like mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and more.

Plus, find out why all future franchisers must have a brand playbook, why franchising is a team sport, and why investing in the right technology is crucial if you ever want to scale.

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

Follow Zach:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/znolte/

Visit Voda:

https://myvodafranchise.com/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

0:00 Intro and Background

2:41 The Perfect Franchise Marriage

6:36 Choosing Restoration

10:24 Building a Business

17:54 Technology and Branding are Key

29:01 The Power of Having Systems in Place

37:35 The Hard Data

47:08 Vision for Voda

49:10 Contact Us

S5 Ep2: Using Life Obstacles to Fuel Your Franchise, with Cynthia May Apr 11, 2023

How does a single, 17-year-old mother find the motivation to build an 83-territory health and wellness empire?

Cynthia May, co-founder of Beem Light Sauna, chats about how becoming a single mother at an early age gave her the strength to find financial stability by taking calculated risks and trusting her gut instincts.

Cynthia explains how she went from owning a high-end salon to transitioning to the health and wellness space after her daughter became ill with Lyme Disease.

Then, she discusses the importance of mentorship in business partnerships, designing a consumer-first experience for customers, building a lean store infrastructure, and how franchising allowed her to help others at a crossroads in their own careers.

Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage and retain your team.

Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees?

Visit Harri.com to learn more.

Follow Cynthia:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamay

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplimay/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast.

Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter.

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S5 Ep1: Cookies And Cream: How To Open A Multi-Brand Desserts Franchise Apr 04, 2023

Who doesn’t love a cookie, or a pretzel…or ice cream? CJ Adams is the multi-brand franchise owner growing his sweet treat empire. Find out how.

CJ is the Owner of Nashville-based Cookies And Cream, the multi-brand franchise of Great American Cookies, Maggie Moo's, Marble Slab Creamery, and Pretzelmaker.

The Wolf and CJ get into the logistics of cross training employees to work across all brands, how to find the right opportunities, and why, at the end of the day, CJ’s a cookie guy.

And great customer experience starts with great employee experience. Create business success with Harri, the platform to build, manage, engage and retain your team. Care for your people, and they will care for your customers.

Visit www.harri.com today

Follow CJ:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcjadams/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seejayadams

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep12: The Franchise Growth Expert Turned Pub Franchise Owner, With Brent Dowling Mar 28, 2023

From pro snowboarder to CEO, find out how Brent Dowling grows promising young franchises - including his own brewery pub brand.

Brent is Co-founder and CEO of Raintree, the company packed full of seasoned professionals, dedicated to growing promising young franchises into industry giants.

The Wolf and Brent discuss why it was time for Brent to put his money where his mouth is and get in on the franchise ground floor, how the average American feels about franchise ownership, plus how Raintree goes about branding its products.

You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod.

Follow Brent:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-dowling-/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S4 Ep11: How To Become A Multi-Brand Franchise Owner, With Andrew Garcia. Mar 21, 2023

How do you succeed in franchising? Invest in what fascinates you and makes a positive impact.

Andrew Garcia is the entrepreneur who hated the 9 to 5 and turned to franchising.

He is a partner and co-owner of ServPro, the 24-hour mitigation and restoration service, and partner at Ellie Mental Health, a franchise offering mental health services at the office and at home for individuals, children and families.

The Wolf and Andrew get into why creating a legacy for good is a top priority for this entrepreneur, why dealing with insurance companies draws the emotion out of tough situations, and why saying yes to a haulage and junk removal franchise was the risk that kickstarted his franchise career.

You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod.

Follow Andrew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agarcia87/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S4 Ep10: Hawaii Fluid Art: The Unique Franchise Celebs Can’t Get Enough Of Mar 14, 2023

How does an art class, enjoyed by Pink and Matthew McConaughey, become a franchise?

Maya Ratcliff is the Founder of Hawaii Fluid Art - an accessible art class with incredible results. Celebrities love it, but anyone can join in and create a one-off piece they’ll be proud to display on their wall.

From one location in Hawaii, founded during the pandemic, to two more in Dallas and Kansas City, Maya has ambitious plans to open 10 more corporate locations by the end of 2023.

The Wolf and Maya discuss the resin layer and techniques that make Hawaii Fluid Art unique, why her absentee business model works so well, and how she negotiated down the price of materials.

You’ll also hear how these negotiations mean classes run up to a 95% profit margin for every student who walks through the door.

You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod.

Follow Maya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-ratcliff-3202941a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/renohelp

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep9: How a Drive-Thru Coffee Upstart Is Taking on Franchise Giants Mar 07, 2023

Meet the founders of Cali Coffee, the franchise not afraid to take on the likes of Starbucks and Dunkin’.

Craig Avera and Rose White are the couple behind Cali Coffee, founded in LA in 2018. Currently with three locations up and running, there are five more planned for opening later this year.

The Wolf, Craig and Rose dive into why it was the right time to get out of the fitness industry, why they don’t believe in speaker boxes outside their units, and why getting rid of coffee jargon makes their product way more accessible.

You’ll also hear why nothing can prepare you for land development in Hollywood and why that experience paved the way for their next franchise openings.

Follow Craig:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-avera-a624557b/

Follow Rose:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calicoffee/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep8: How A Side Hustle Led To 300+ Restaurants, Hotels and Hardware Stores. Feb 28, 2023

How does a side hustle wind up in the Franchise Times top 25 multi-unit operators? By creating a model that can be scaled and repeated endlessly.

Al Bhakta is Principal at CMG Companies, working with brands including Taco Bell, KFC, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Genghis Grill, Sonic, and Rent-A-Center - to name a few. With more than 300 restaurants, 90+ retail units and 8 hotels, this group of six founding partners have come a long way since their college days.

The Wolf and Al, get into why the basics matter when it comes to creating culture in food outlets, why wearing every hat as an operator gives you the view from the shop floor, and the secret sauce that’s allowed CMG Companies to transform failing franchise units time and time again.

Plus you’ll hear the strategy that allows Al and the team to operate successfully across more than 20 states.

Description:

Follow Al:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albhakta/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep7: How To Choose The Right Franchise And Play The Long Game Feb 21, 2023

There’s no one way to get into franchising, but plenty of pitfalls.

Dru Capenito is the Founder of Franchise Investment Systems, helping potential owners evaluate high-quality non-food franchises.

The Wolf and Dru talk through how getting the right foundation in place will stop you making terrible business decisions, why you need a business model that fits your life, and why the world of franchise brokership can be like the Wild, Wild, West.

Plus you’ll also hear Dru’s inside track on the info you need to identify a good business opportunity.

Follow Dru:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drucarpenito/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep6: Blo Blow Dry Bar: How To Open 100+ Units Sustainably Feb 14, 2023

What’s the sweet spot of rapid growth and long-term sustainability?

Meet Vanessa Melman Yakobson, the franchise owner with the secret sauce to success.

Vanessa is CEO and Partner of Blo, Blow Dry. Bar. This North American franchise has already opened 100 units and is set to open 50 more in the next couple of years.

The Wolf and Vanessa get into how growing responsibly means longevity, especially during turbulent economic times, the recipe book that sets franchisees up for success, and how outside backing is helping grow Blo’s sister beauty brands.

Follow Vanessa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-melman-yakobson-34b7343/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep5: BODY20: The Health Franchise CEO Who Fixed His Own Problems Feb 07, 2023

Physically burnt out in his early 30s, Gregory Breitbart found a solution so effective, he knew he wanted to run it as a business.

Greg is CEO of BODY20, the fitness franchise utilizing whole body Electro-muscle stimulation to condense 2 hours in the gym down to 20 minutes.

The Wolf and Greg discuss Greg’s enduring business partnership with his father, how a ‘weekend warrior’ lifestyle caused more problems than it solved, and Greg’s ambitious plans to have at least 100 BODY20 franchises open by the end of 2023.

Follow Gregory:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbreitbart/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregbreitbart

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep4: How Central Bark is Taking Its Share Of The $100 Billion Pet Industry Jan 31, 2023

How do you take an established pet franchise and move it to the next level? CEO Bob Crawford reveals the secret sauce to how he’s scaling Central Bark.

Central Bark is the daycare facility that specializes in science-backed enrichment and socialization for your best friend. This 25-year-old franchise has 35 locations in 12 states and ambitious plans for growth.

The Wolf and Bob discuss why franchise founders need a partner who’s philosophically and professionally aligned to their growth goals, why Bob believes there’s plenty of the pet franchise business to go around, and how he plans to introduce a multi-unit focus with operators.

Follow Bob:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwcrawford3/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep3: How To Launch A Cookie Franchise When You Don’t Bake Jan 24, 2023

The secret ingredient to creating your own cookie franchise? People. Adam August opens the playbook to his fast-growing cookie empire.

Adam is the Co-founder of Blueprint Cookies, the business he set up with Nick Hicks in 2019. The company has grown from one to three stores in three years and has ambitious plans to scale.

The Wolf and Adam get into why investing in your employees is the best choice you’ll make, how Adam gets shit done, and some expert advice for anyone looking to start a franchise.

Follow Adam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamaugust/

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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S4 Ep2: OHM Fitness: How To Build A Fitness Empire In A Crowded Market Place Jan 17, 2023

With almost two decades together as franchise partners, Joshua Coba and Douglas Payne know franchising inside and out.

They join The Wolf to talk about owning more than 1,000 European Wax Center units, why the start of a business is the most exciting moment, and how they’ve carved out a niche in a traditionally overcrowded franchising industry.

Follow Douglas:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/douglas-payne-b15959114

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S4 Ep1: The Secret To Owning More Than 100 Wingstops and Little Caesars Jan 10, 2023

Welcome to season 4 of Franchise Empires. Meet the owner of 29 Wingstops and 79 Little Caesars, following in the family footsteps.

Shalin Patel is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Vibe Restaurants, who opened their first restaurant back in 2005. It has since grown to become one of the largest franchisees of Little Caesars and now operates across 11 states.

The Wolf and Shalin sit down to talk about the need to scale and not just ‘buy your own job’, why goal setting can and should change, and some of Shalin’s personal and professional highlights as a franchise owner.

You’ll also hear how Shalin got into franchising, inspired by his dad’s career.

Follow Shalin:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shalin-patel-42a6431a7

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 Ep12: The #1 OrangeTheory Owner Just Launched His Own Franchise Dec 13, 2022

Jamie Weeks loves life, he also loves business. Being a franchisor has allowed him to have it all and he’s ready to share how.

He is Executive Chairman and Founder of Honors Holdings, the largest franchisee for OrangeTheory Fitness studios across the globe, Executive Chairman and Founder of Legacy Franchise Concepts, a Dogtopia Franchisee and Franchisor for SweatHouz Infrared Sauna Studios.

The Wolf and Jamie get into why he was the perfect age to get into franchising, why he works for his team (not the other way around), and why it’s harder to scale from 3 to 12, than 12 to 48.

Follow Jamie:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamie-weeks-712543221

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 Ep11: GoDog: The Father-And-Son Behind The Pet Daycare Franchise Dec 06, 2022

Ben Eberdt is the successful musician turned franchise owner. He and dad, Jess, are taking over the dog daycare space. Find out how.

GoDog is the daycare and boarding service that offers pet parents state-of-the-art, fun and hygienic care for their family members.

The Wolf gets into conversation with Co-founder and President Ben, who talks about treating your band like a business, embedding customers into the GoDog ecosystem, and why finding the right investment partners is well worth holding out for.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 Ep10: Greg Flynn - Meet America’s Multi Billion Dollar Restaurant Franchisee Nov 29, 2022

Greg Flynn didn’t follow in the footsteps of his Stanford classmates. But with approx. 2,400 Applebee’s, Taco Bells, Paneras, Arby’s, Pizza Huts and Wendy’s - he’s done ok.

The Wolf gets into conversation with the largest franchisee operator in the world. Greg Flynn is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group and Flynn Properties, generating $4 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people across 44 states.

In this very special episode Greg shares why he’ll always be a restaurant operator first, how to run a truly collaborative business, and why the franchising business model allows you to focus on the things that really matter.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 Ep9: Dogdrop: The Dog Day Care Franchise Solving Owner Problems Nov 22, 2022

When you’re leaving the most important member of your family at daycare, you need to know it’s safe, fun and stimulating. Shaina Denny’s Dogdrop franchise is all this and more.

Dogdrop is the dog day care service founded in LA and which has grown to three units. With the health and happiness of each dog at its core, dog parents can be sure they’re leaving their pets in the best possible care.

The Wolf and Shaina talk about how living in China lit an entrepreneurial spark, how solving her own dog care problems led to Dogdrop, and the business model that makes most sense to her unique franchise.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Shaina:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shainadenny

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Level 5 Capital Partners: Unlocking The Secrets Behind Franchise Investment Nov 17, 2022

When you’re franchise investors and operators, you’re writing the playbook as you go.

Join The Wolf as he talks to two of the best: Scott Thompson, CDO and MD and Dennis Campbell, VP of Franchise Development, both at Level 5 Capital Partners.

They get into why buying into the mission is key to scaling, the balance between too many heads and meeting development timescales, and growing a brand for independent success.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Dennis:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denniswcampbell

Follow Scott:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-thompson-618a91/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/smthompson1979

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E8: Toastique: How Brianna Keefe Swapped Burnout For Gourmet Fast Food Nov 15, 2022

With a lifelong passion for nutrition and food, founding her own gourmet empire was always on the cards. Find out how Brianna found her feet in catering and created Toastique.

Toastique is the gourmet toast and juice franchise, offering healthy, responsibly sourced food all day long.

The Wolf and Brianna talk decision-making at the 11th hour, working with friends and family, and expanding the Toastique brand across the US.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Brianna:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianna-keefe-4a735087

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E7: Hank Horkoff’s Secret Sauce to Creating Franchise Revenue Nov 08, 2022

When Hank’s son described his dad’s job as ‘driving the car’ Hank knew it was time to come out of retirement. Now he’s building a STEAM education empire with Steamoji.

Having already built and sold two businesses, Hank turned his entrepreneurial skills to solving the problem of STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math) educational provision.

The Wolf and Hank dive into why STEAM subjects should be a national priority, how to develop growth mindsets in children, and why in-person training centers are the point of differentiation for Steamoji.

You’ll also hear Hank reveal his revenue-building tactics for franchise success.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Hank:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hankhorkoff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hankfdh

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

01:21 Hank’s Aha Moment

04:02 Bridging The Gap

05:00 Nurturing Interest

07:32 How To Prepare The Future Makers

09:42 Building a Growth Mindset

15:33 The Point of Differentiation

17:27 Calling In The Experts

20:07 Why STEAM Is A National Priority

24:24 Hank’s Secret Sauce For Success

S3 E6: How Brian Scudamore Built a Customer Service Empire With People At Its Heart Nov 01, 2022

Brian Scudamore is the CEO behind O2E, the banner company for heavyweight brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Shack Shine.

Not bad for a boy who didn’t graduate high school.

Now he’s the founder of a customer service empire worth hundreds of millions and loving every moment of it.

The Wolf and Brian get into Brian’s secret sauce, AKA the beer and barbecue test, why watching people grow brings him such joy, and his books aimed at helping potential franchise owners buy and scale a business.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scudamore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianScudamore

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E5: How Brittany Driscoll Built A Massage Empire And Disrupted The Industry Oct 25, 2022

Brittany Driscoll is the marketing exec turned entrepreneur.

After getting a taste of working in a fast-growing franchise, she knew she wanted in. Find out how she built her own franchise.

The Wolf and Brittany get into conversation about her experience working at beauty franchise, Drybar, which has more than 200 locations across the country. Brittany shares how she and the Drybar founders built Squeeze Massage together and how this franchise is disrupting the industry with its innovative approach, providing a premium experience at an affordable rate and integrating tech through their end-to-end platform.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Brittany:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/britdrisc

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E4: Crumbl Cookies Franchise: How Jason McGowan Is Building a Sweet Toothed Empire Oct 18, 2022

Crumbl Cookies is the brand that swept the nation. Meet Jason, the unstoppable CEO and Co-founder.

Jason founded Crumbl Cookies in 2017 with business partner, Sawyer Hemsley. Since then more than 600 stores are now operating across 48 states, employing over 26,000 people.

The Wolf and Jason get into how and he and Sawyer came up with the concept, leveraging a gap in the market, how cutting edge technology is part of the Crumbl brand, and Jason’s thoughts on whether a cookie franchise can really conquer the globe.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Jason:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmcgowan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonmcgowan

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, the media company working with creators to bring you great podcasts. Find out more: www.workweek.com

S3 E3: How In N Out Burger Created a Cult Following Oct 13, 2022

When you’ve got 14-hour long queues out the door, you’re doing something right. But how does a small burger franchise create super fans?

Join The Wolf for this commentary episode where he deep dives into how a small fast food chain can create the kind of obsessive fan base larger brands can only dream of.

You’ll hear In N Out Burger’s back story, what stands them apart from other burger joints, and why the family owners value traditional values over rapid growth.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E2: How to Build a Sports Franchise Empire That Impacts 1,000,000 + Kids Oct 11, 2022

Adam Geisler and John Erlandson love sport, but they also love how sports influence children’s lives for the better. That’s why they own 4 sports franchises.

Youth Athletes United is the umbrella platform for Adam and John’s 4 franchise brands : Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, TGA, and Little Rookies.

The Wolf, Adam and John talk through how a passion for sports can’t be taught, but business can, how they went into partnership after working together in the boxing industry, and why more than 1 million kids are impacted by their brands every year.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Adam:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697

Follow John:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-erlandson-62409b4

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S3 E1: Koala Insulation: Meet The Bootstrapped Founder Who Went From 0 to 350 Franchises in 2 Years Oct 04, 2022

Scott Marr is behind Koala Insulation, a franchise brand on the rise. But it’s not his first business success story. Discover how Scott built his highly successful empire.

Mobile businesses are Scott’s area of expertise. Before founding Koala Insulation, he created First Clean USA, acquired by a private equity firm in 2018.

The Wolf and Scott discuss the process of selling 350+ Koala territories, and what it takes to convert a small business into a successful franchise.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Scott:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/scmarr

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S2 E15: Twitter Spaces Special: Success Strategies That Work Across ALL Franchise Models Sep 27, 2022

How do you grow your franchise business profitably? In this Twitter Spaces, 3 multi-unit franchise owners share the secrets to their success.

The Wolf is joined by Zac Pennington, owner of 8 Anytime Fitness locations, Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas units, and Lucas Mitchell, owner of 13 Five Guys locations. All offering different services or products, but all following the same growth strategies.

You’ll hear insider tips on choosing the right territories, building versus buying a store, and how to scale quickly.

The panel then gets into questions thrown to them from listeners, including the one thing they wish they’d known before getting into franchising.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Zac:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacari-pennington

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacpennington

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-t-beers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbeers

Follow Lucas:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lmitchellhq

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E14: How Chick-Fil-A Franchises Found Success Sep 20, 2022

The inventor of the chicken sandwich has humble beginnings. Discover how Chick-Fil-A became a nation’s favorite, despite never opening on Sundays.

In this 10-minute run through, The Wolf breaks down the restaurant’s humble beginnings, how a chance opportunity to buy up cheap chicken turned into a money spinning idea, and how founder S. Truett Cathy developed the 2-part franchise strategy that dominated the company’s growth for decades.

No one knows franchising like The Wolf and his unique takes and thoughtful analysis make this a not-to-be-missed episode.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E13: Ben Little, the #1 Zaxby's Franchise Owner Sep 13, 2022

From a commodities trader to licensee of 14 Zaxby’s units. How did Ben Little do it? He just said ‘yes’.

From helping to run 8 units with his father and his business partner, Ben has grown their empire to 14 units, including the no. 1 and no. 3 best performing stores in the country. But he had to start at the bottom.

The Wolf and Ben get straight into it, discussing how Ben had to learn the brand by working on the shop floor, how a long-term mindset helps grow business, and the best real estate strategy to employ.

You’ll also hear Ben’s thoughtful takes on incentivizing employees and his plans for the future.

And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Text WOLF to 55123 to get started.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Ben:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ben-little-46204923

Twitter: twitter.com/TRUmav

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E12: Massage Envy: How Stephen Vereb and Henry Kim Are Building an Empire and Closing The Recruitment Circle. Sep 06, 2022

Stephen and Henry have been in business together for more than 15 years. Now the owners of 7 franchise units, they’re solving the problem of finding qualified employees. Find out how.

From backgrounds in corporate America these entrepreneurs now have 5 Massage Envy units and 2 Amazing Lash units in their portfolio.

The Wolf gets into the weeds of financing franchises, getting out of sales, and how Henry and Stephen are solving the recruitment problem by opening their own massage therapist school.

You’ll also hear how their partnership works so well and why they believe everything in life is networks and relationships.

And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started!

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Stephen:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/stephen-vereb-1758bb

Follow Henry:

Instagram: @henry_h_kim01

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E11: The Learning Experience: How an Educator Turned Multiple Franchise Owner And Community Builder Aug 30, 2022

Dr Grace Huxtable-Mount is a force. She’s also the owner of 5 The Learning Experience franchises, and looking to expand. Tune in for Grace’s extraordinary franchise journey.

The Wolf and Grace get straight into Grace’s story, from the Bahamas, via Japan, to US citizenship in 2001. Since then she’s opened up 5 The Learning Experience units, a childcare and early education franchise.

You’ll hear Grace’s takes on why education franchises have such high profit margins, how being a franchise owner offers more freedom than you might think, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your landlord to buy their real estate.

You’ll also hear why Grace received The Learning Experience Chairman’s Award For Excellence, and how she plans to continue scaling her empire throughout Florida.

And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started!

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Grace:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grace-huxtable-mount-phd-71581813

Instagram: instagram.com/drhuxtable_mount/

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E10: Amazing Athletes: Why Building Healthy Communities Can Equate to Financial Success Aug 23, 2022

Jared Taylor owns 6 Amazing Athletes franchises. Find out how this former collegiate baseball player found his way into franchise ownership via Real Estate.

The Wolf and Jared get into why the recession forced Jared to make a decision about his future, why making a positive impact on kids was a real draw to the Amazing Athletes franchise, and why following your passion is always a good thing.

You’ll also hear why Jared believes there’s a correlation between owners who think in the long-term and owners who prioritize their employees’ well-being, and why optimizing for community impact over profits can still lead to a ton of financial success.

And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started!

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E9: How McDonald's said Kon'nichiwa to Japan Aug 16, 2022

When McDonald’s CEO Ray Kroc arrived in Tokyo three days before the grand opening of their first international franchise in Japan, he was shocked to see that construction had not yet begun on the restaurant.

Enter Japanese businessman Den Fujita. After buying the rights to bring McDonald’s to the Land of the Rising Sun, and with no existing blueprint for international success with McDonald’s, Den had to invent the playbook for Japan.

Join The Wolf for the incredible story of how Den was able to construct and open the first international McDonald’s within 36 hours, then go on to become the third largest international stage for the McDonald’s franchise.

And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started!

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E8: Donatos: The Fintech Professional Turned Multiple Franchise Owner Aug 09, 2022

How does a fintech professional end up owning multiple pizza units? Having a soft spot for the brand definitely helps.

Meet Shwetabh Gautam, the NYC-based pro who took a risk on franchise ownership with four friends he grew up with, and who now own 6 Donatos Pizza units in Cleveland.

The Wolf and Shwetabh get into why loving the brand played a big part in jumping on board, how they were offered five more locations even as they built their initial three, and why Donatos sits at the intersection of family pizzeria and massive franchise.

You’ll also hear how to effectively manage your local teams remotely and why incentivizing success is a key management tool.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Shwetabh:

Twitter: @therealshwetabh

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E7: Sylvan Learning: How Mike Kelley Ditched Corporate And Became a Multiple Franchise Owner Aug 02, 2022

Mike’s franchise journey is a fascinating one. Find out why he left his corporate 9-5 to open multiple Sylvan Learning Center locations, via Chick-a-Fil and senior care.

When corporate life is sucking your soul away, it’s time for a change. Now a franchise owner of 10 Sylvan Learning units, Mike shares his story.

The Wolf and Mike dive right into how he left his job to work in the family jewelry business, why he turned down a Chick-a-Fil franchise, and how he ran two brands before optimizing for Sylvan Learning.

You’ll also hear why being a franchise owner plays into Mike’s ambitions of working less, earning more, and why he values a hierarchical structure.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Mike:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-kelley-b84a55132

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E6: Go Mini Storage: Meet The Entrepreneur at The Start of His Franchise Journey Jul 26, 2022

How do you launch your own franchise empire from scratch? Meet Matt Stapleford, the entrepreneur one year into building his niche business with Go Mini Storage.

The Wolf and Matt get straight into it, discussing how his background as a numbers guy persuaded him towards franchise ownership, why he loves the autonomy and freedom franchises offer, and his ambitious plans to expand across Pittsburgh.

You’ll also hear why getting the right franchise is essential, how to crunch the numbers for due diligence, and why Matt’s priority is always family first.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Matt:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-stapleford-831688ba

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E5: Wingstop Franchise: Everything Michael Horowitz Knows About Owning 20 Franchise Units Jul 19, 2022

Why does a Wall Street professional switch to Wingstop franchise ownership? Michael Horowitz explains how he made the crossover and why it’s the best move he ever made.

The Wolf gets straight into it with Michael, who in his quest to become a franchise owner, researched and spoke to every big name, every fast food franchise brand in the industry.

He finally settled on Wingstop and is now the owner of 20 units. You’ll hear Michael’s opinions on traditional business routes versus franchises, how to get a shot at buying into a big brand, and how to evaluate your business model.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Michael:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mahorowitz

Twitter: twitter.com/mahorowitz

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E4: Why the Mayweather Boxing Franchise is Landing Punches Jul 12, 2022

David Weis has made one mistake in his franchise journey. He won’t make it again. Find out how the Mayweather Boxing franchise has found its place in LA.

After working in the fitness industry for decades as a trainer, David launched his own chain of gyms in the Boston area. Beacon Hill Athletic Club is still hugely successful and David has turned his attention to a franchise with a powerful boxing name attached.

Daniel and David launch straight into how David missed out on an Orange Theory franchise opportunity, but jumped straight in as the first owner of Mayweather Boxing in 2018.

You’ll hear why boxing training is the workout with long-term stayability, the power of a name, and how customer service is the biggest differentiator.

David also shares his plans to build 5 other sites in Los Angeles and his ambitions to expand into Boston, Tokyo, and Tel-Aviv.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow David:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-ilan-weis-a5009062

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S2 E3: The Mathnasium Franchise: How One Couple Went All In Jul 05, 2022

The Speers are natural entrepreneurs. From owning an auto-motive business to homeschooling, this power couple knows the value of franchising a great education product.

After watching one of their daughters struggle to get to grips with mathematics, James and Jennifer Speer sought help with the Mathnasium teaching method. Impressed with the product, they created the first Mathnasium Learning Center franchise in 2011. And they haven’t looked back.

The Wolf gets into conversation with Jennifer and James, talking about how they’ve expanded to 10 locations around Texas, why you should burn your ships and go all in, and why buying is easier when you get your first location right.

You’ll also hear why you should get to know your business inside and out and how that makes buying easier than building.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow James:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-speer-78432955

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E2: The Secret to Owning 29 Midas Franchises With Brian Beers Jun 28, 2022

Brian Beers is the Swiss Army Knife of franchisees. From buying to scaling and selling, he pulls no punches. And as the owner of 29 Midas locations, Brian knows entrepreneurship inside and out.

When the family business is franchises, you know you’re in the hands of an industry expert. Brian’s family founded Midas, the auto repair franchise, in 1976. Now Brian runs multiple units, all within an hour of Philadelphia.

The Wolf and Brian dive right into how Brian leverages owner finance to buy locations, why a profit first approach should be every business owner’s priority, and how to identify a franchise system that has plenty of acquisition opportunity.

You’ll also hear how the Baby Boomer generation plays a role in Brian’s acquisition strategy and his ambitious goals for the future.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Brian:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-t-beers

Twitter: twitter.com/brianbeers

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

S2 E1: How to Build a Franchise Empire Without Burning Out Jun 21, 2022

Erik Van Horn has owned 6 franchise brands, built 43 locations and made some great sales. Now he works 3 days a week on things he loves. Find out his secret on this season premier.

As a veteran in the world of franchising, Erik knows how important it is to prioritize your time on things you enjoy doing, even more than making money. But he’s done both and is ready to share the secret sauce.

The Wolf dives into conversation with Erik about the process of building multiple Liberty Tax franchises across Austin, how he built, grew and sold Sola Salon studios in California, and why 15-20 hours a week is the work/life balance he loves.

You’ll also hear how Erik got into business through a gardening job and the realities of being a multi-brand owner.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Follow Erik:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evanhorn

Check out Erik's podcast, community, and more here: https://www.franchisesecrets.com

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Franchise Empires: Season 2 Trailer Jun 07, 2022

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already building out your franchise empire, finding the information you need can be tough. There’s plenty out there but so often it’s opaque and hard to access.

You already know the smart money lies in franchises, you just need to cut through the noise and get the inside scoop on how to choose, own and scale your business.

I’m The Wolf, and this is season 2 of Franchise Empires.

Whether you’re an aspiring owner or have one or two businesses to your name, you’ll get insight into raising capital, and hot takes on how to choose a business that resonates with your values and goals.

Last season I unlocked the playbooks of franchisees from killer brands like Orange Theory, Five Guys, and Dunkin’ Donuts, and this season’s line up is equally as stellar.

Every episode you can expect thoughtful takeaways from a successful franchise builder with practical insights like why you don’t need a ton of investment to get started, the secrets to running 100 stores, and why you don’t need to quit your day job straight away.

Owning a franchise might not be the most obvious path to entrepreneurship, but if you’re looking to build sustainable wealth using tried and tested models, your journey starts here.

With season 2 dropping on June 21, and new shows every Tuesday, tune in for everything you need to build your franchise empire.

Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

S1 E12: How Combining Franchises is Helping Build an Empire May 17, 2022

Military veteran Betsy Erb has a vision. And she’s not going to stop until she’s built her pet franchise empire.

How is she going about it? By leveraging an established franchise brand, Dog Training Elite, to boost a newer opportunity: PetWellClinic.

The Wolf talks to Betsy about how PetWellClinic is solving a massive pain point for the owners of animals in need of urgent care, her short and long term plays, and how she and husband Ed are horizontally integrating in the pet industry.

You’ll also hear how Betsy plans to leverage the two brands, what it’s like taking on a multi-unit deal, and her vision as an entrepreneur.

Multi-units, multi-franchises - this is a business strategy you’ll want to take note of.

Follow Betsy on Instagram:@dogtrainingeliteselouisiana

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E11: Using A Low Cost Franchise Strategy To Open 39 Franchises May 10, 2022

Early on in his banking career, David Schuck realized he really needed to be his own boss. He picked up a low cost franchise and hasn’t looked back.

If you’re unwilling to give up the day job straight away, owning a seasonal franchise like Liberty Tax that’s really only on during tax season, is the way to start.

The Wolf and David get into how he picked up his first low cost unit, how he eventually went all in on franchise ownership, and how he scaled by acquiring other franchisee’s businesses.

You’ll hear how he still owns 12 Liberty Tax franchises to this day, using them as a stepping stone to open 27 Club Pilates centers, and why he partnered with a private equity firm to fuel his growth.

David also shares his long-term vision of building an empire worth $100,000,000.

Follow David:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-schuck-spartanfitnessholdings

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E10: Is This The Most Successful Franchise Owner You’ll Ever Meet? May 03, 2022

Meet Jamie Weeks, owner of more than 100 Orangetheory franchises and about to launch his own brand. The secret to his success? Risk taking.

Jamie is a big personality and a phenomenal success. With 140 Orangetheory boutique fitness studios in his portfolio, and in the process of building 60 Dogtopia franchises, he’s also launching his own, Sweathouz.

The Wolf and Jamie talk about building an incredible culture despite having hundreds of businesses, how a private equity deal launched him from 12 to 140 locations, and why taking risks is at the heart of his approach to building a vastly successful business.

As well as hearing the wisdom behind owning multi-unit franchises, there’ll be a lot of laughs and you’ll get to listen to Jamie putting The Wolf through his patented interview process.

This is one you won’t want to miss.

Follow Jamie:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamie-weeks-712543221

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E9: Why You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Day Job to Run a Franchise Apr 26, 2022

Wanting to become a franchisee is one thing, knowing which business model to invest in, quite another. Meet Brian Knuth, VP of Franchise Development at Raintree.

Brian educates potential franchise partners, identifying which franchise partnerships might work out best. But Brian is also a franchise owner of Footprint Floors, which he runs as a semi-absentee owner.

The Wolf and Brian get into conversation about representing emerging franchise brands, how Covid rocked his business and some of the struggles you face juggling your day job with your franchise business.

You’ll also hear why Brian knew he had to dive into Footprint Floors, and why he feels privileged to help people break away from the corporate grind and pursue a career they’re truly passionate about.

Twitter: linkedin.com/in/brian-knuth-06101654

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E8: Meet the Biggest Phone Franchise in Bermuda Apr 19, 2022

Meet Alex Jones, former banker, triathlete, Olympic hopeful, and dad of two.

For 9/10 franchise owners, one unit just isn’t enough to generate the levels of income they’re aiming for. But, very rarely, a site and franchise comes along that performs so well, everything just falls into place. And that’s where Alex Jones’ CPR store comes in.

The Wolf talks with Alex about leaving the world of finance to chase his passion for windsurfing, why you should convert an existing phone repair shop into a franchise, and how to build a transparent culture in your team.

You’ll hear why Alex’s Bermuda franchise is the best performing location out of 850+ worldwide, why your customers are the best sales people, and why your internal customer service is crucial for success.

Follow Alex

Twitter: twitter.com/Rebelbanker

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E7: How to Turn Your Anytime Fitness Franchise Into a Family Business Apr 12, 2022

Zac Pennington has turned franchise ownership into a family affair. Find out why Anytime Fitness might be the perfect pairing, and why 8 gyms are just the start.

The fitness industry is highly competitive but that level of competition is exactly what fuels Zac’s passion for providing health and wellbeing. From working in jobs that ultimately left him unsatisfied, diving into franchise ownership has given him a business model that fits perfectly with his core values.

The Wolf and Zac discuss how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs was key to running his own business, why his creative freedom is so important to him, and why he knows exactly how to dominate the fitness market.

You’ll hear how Zac jumped on an opportunity to take over a struggling Anytime Fitness business and turned it around, how this kickstarted his chain of ownership, and why he’s always looking for more.

Follow Zac:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacari-pennington

Twitter: twitter.com/zacpennington

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E6: How FranShares is Lowering the Barriers to Franchise Ownership Apr 05, 2022

Unlocking franchise ownership is the defining mission of Kenny Rose and FranShares. Find out how he’s helping potential franchise owners get in on the ground floor.

After discovering Fundrise, a fractional share trading platform for commercial real estate, Kenny knew he’d found a gap in the market for franchise ownership.

FranShares was born and in those early days, Kenny spent his time diligently building an audience he’d later market the FranShares offer to.

The Wolf and Kenny talk all things franchise and founders. From building a company from the ground up with $1.4million in investments to what it’s like having more than 23,000 on the waiting list ready to invest.

You’ll hear how FranShares is dramatically lowering the barrier to franchise ownership. Why owning a piece of a local business is a powerful virtuous circle and how, at scale, FranShares will enable franchises to be traded like stocks.

When you’re looking to get in on franchise ownership, you need a team on your side to smooth the path. FranShares makes it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com

Follow Kenny:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kennyrose

Twitter: InvestLocally

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E5: How to Scale Your Five Guys Franchise Empire Mar 29, 2022

From college drop out to multi-unit franchisee, the path of entrepreneurship isn’t always a straight one. Find out how Lucas Mitchell discovered his gift for restaurant management.

An entrepreneur from the start, Lucas made the decision early on to quit college and focus on building a web design business. To cover the bills, Lucas worked at his local Five Guys and his experience working at his parents’ restaurant quickly shone through.

The Wolf and Lucas discuss how the business of food and hospitality is in Lucas’ blood and why working for someone else was never going to be his dream

Lucas recalls his rapid rise from Location Manager to Territory Manager of 8 locations and the moment he realized it was time to put aside his web design business and pursue a career as a franchisee.

You’ll hear how he grew from one Five Guys location to 13 and why he’s still hungry for success.

When you’re looking to scale like Lucas, you need a team on your side to smooth the path. FranShares makes it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com

Follow Lucas:

Twitter: @LMitchellHQ

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Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E4: Why Cross Selling is The Secret Sauce for Franchisees Like Meineke Mar 22, 2022

How do you create a wildly successful multi-unit franchise? You create synergy. Joe Johnson knows a thing or two about that with his car repair and parts businesses.Check out Joe’s playbook.

You learn a whole lot during 23-years in the military, and after retiring from the US Army in 2005, Joe has applied that knowledge to building his auto franchise empire. But what makes this portfolio unique is how his businesses interact.

The Wolf and Joe discuss how owning a Maaco auto-collision repair and paint shop, a Meineke auto-maintenance and repair shop AND a 1-800 Radiator franchise have created incredible synergy. Not only can he service just about any car problem, he can also supply parts to both businesses. Cross selling at its finest.

Joe shares why horizontal integration allows you greater control over your destiny, why owning the dirt gives you more value and options, and the importance of doing a deep dive on potential franchise opportunities.

When you’re looking to launch your own franchise empire and, like Joe, want to make sure the research is done right, you need a great team. FranShares is the team you need, making it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E3: The Secret to Growing Your F45 Gym Franchise Mar 15, 2022

What do you do when the bottom falls out of your property investments? You sell up and retire. Then you start over as part of a billion-dollar franchise. Meet Gavin McConnon, serial entrepreneur.

Still in his 20s, Gavin was riding high in Ireland on the back of selling 900 numbers and ringtones. Having invested millions in commercial real estate, he was hit by the 2008 collapse and forced to sell everything.

The Wolf talks to Gavin on how his semi-retirement to Australia triggered his interest in franchises and why F45 in particular caught his eye.

Gavin shares what it’s like being part of one of the fastest growing franchises across the globe, his experience as a serial entrepreneur who founded multiple tech startups and why franchises are so appealing .

You’ll hear the benefits of having a brand with an established playbook already in place, how to expand your team and grow your locations from one to three, six and even more.

When you’re looking to launch your own franchise empire, like Gavin, having a team behind you is a great place to start. FranShares is making it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com

Follow Gavin on

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmcconnon/?originalSubdomain=mc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinmcconnon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E2: How to Create a Dunkin' Donuts Empire Mar 08, 2022

When you’re not ready to join the family business, franchises are a solid alternative. Usman Chaudrhy is now the owner of 6 locations and scaling fast.

Usman has made the transition from corporate worker to multi-unit owner, but not before he learnt all the lessons that have made him a success.

Now with 6 Dunkin’ Donuts stores under his belt and 3 more under construction, he has his eyes set on growth,

The Wolf and Usman discuss what it’s like growing up the son of entrepreneurs, why doing in-depth research is the foundation to building a successful business and how to assess lenders based on specificity, rather than emotional response.

You’ll hear why Usman is fine with paying royalties, how to tackle banks who may not want to lend to you and the advantages of opening a franchise near a college campus.

Deep thinking and research are Usman’s superpowers and this dedication to detail is something he shares with show sponsor FranShares, who are making it easier to build, manage and grow your franchise empire from as little as $500. Find out more at: franshares.com

Follow Usman on:

Twitter: twitter.com/UsmanJazab

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

S1 E1: Why Catering is Your Next, Best Franchise with Nick Panos, Mellow Mushroom Mar 03, 2022

It’s easier to sell 100 slices of pizza to one customer than one slice to 100 customers. This valuable lesson is just one element of Nick Panos’ highly successful franchise playbook.

As Vice-President of Panos Restaurant Group, one of the company’s main focus points is operating its highly successful Mellow Mushroom restaurant chain.

And if there’s one valuable lesson Nick is keen to share, it’s that catering is a game changer. It provides your business with a b2b revenue stream that, crucially, doesn’t cut into your peak operating hours but utilizes unused capacity.

Nick joins The Wolf talking about pseudo recurring revenue streams you can effectively build into your restaurant business. He also shares how positioning your business as the restaurant of choice for annual conferences should be at the top of your to-do list.

You’ll learn why playing long term games with long term people is the key to recurring revenue. And hear how to pick a franchise brand with longevity, plus why your long term success depends on you choosing great employees and taking care of them.

Monetizing franchises is a passion Nick shares with our sponsor FranShares, who are making it easier to build, manage and grow your franchise empire from as little as $500. Find out more at: franshares.com

Follow Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicolaospanos

Check out The Wolf’s newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Franchise Empires: Season 1 Trailer Feb 24, 2022

Almost all startups are doomed to fail. But there’s another path to entrepreneurship that gets overlooked, one that’s far less risky than starting your own company. One that gets you healthy profits and a healthier lifestyle too: And that’s Franchises.

I’m The Wolf. Welcome to The Franchise Empires.

As you’re listening to this, there are thousands of franchise owners creating financial freedom through franchises. But how exactly can you take your first step to get in on the action? The answer is why I started The Franchise Playbook - to give aspiring entrepreneurs access to the people who have grown their franchises from one location to 10, 20, to even thousands. If you’re interested in franchises, we’re breaking down the exact playbook you need to get started.

To get a taste for what franchises can be like, I want to tell you a quick story about Guillermo Perales.

Guillermo is the founder of Sun Holdings. He didn’t have a special start. When he arrived in the States from Mexico in the 90s, Guillermo was an ordinary guy, just like you and me. His journey all started with just a single Small Business Administration loan, something that many Americans can tap into and take advantage of.

Today Guillermo owns more than 1,200 franchises, employing 22,000 people and generating over 1 billion dollars in revenue every single year. But you don’t need that many franchises to see huge returns, you don’t even need 10. A handful of well run franchises can create the wealth you’re seeking, and on this show I'll teach you exactly how.

To take your first step onto the franchise ladder, tune in on March 3rd for our season premiere, with new episodes every Tuesday. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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