Franchise Today

.  Last Saturday Key Bank and the IFA delivered a pilot ½ day educational program, the first of what I hope will be many more to come and an amazing event it was, in Cleveland, Ohio, Key Bank’s Home Base.  I actually got to participate in this event, which hands down, was the best of any such events I have ever participated in, during my 22+ years of promoting diversity and inclusion in franchising  What made this one such a game-changer from my point of view, was the deep level of franchisee participation in the program.  This came in the names of Vanessa Whiting, owner of 15 Cleveland Popeye’s restaurants, Michael Obi,CEO of Spectrum Global, a multi-unit Little Caesar’s franchisee and Connie Hill-Johnson, of Visiting Angels, all three, powerful and relatable communicators and business people, who helped convey to the audience how much franchised business ownership has changed their lives and those they employ and serve.   Today we’re going to continue that conversation, as I have invited Visiting Angels

Peter Capodice is sought out by leaders in Franchising who recognize the need to attract the industry's best talent. Through Capodice & Associates' extensive network of relationships and their "deep dive" qualification process, they are able to identify and secure individuals who represent the top tier of Franchise professionals.  Find out how, on Franchise Today!

ENCORE PERFORMANCE!  Christian Pillat is passionate about transforming disruptive ideas into actionable business strategies.  As co-CEO of TRANSITIV, he does just that.  Transitiv provides franchisors and franchisees with cutting edge intelligence about their customers and local store marketing.  By enabling franchisees to identify their best customers, they can then market more effectively to them and bring them back more often.  They can also target more customers like them and increase their average spend and frequency of visits. 

Founders Debra Shwetz and Dena Tripp started Nothing Bundt Cakes in Las Vegas in 1997, simply to please their family and friends. Needless to say, over time, thousands of other people became just as excited about their delicious cakes as they were. By using the purest ingredients, handcrafted recipes and imaginative decorations, Nothing Bundt Cakes has grown into the warm brand that it is today, as they celebrate the very heart of true hospitality,  where all are welcome and no one is a stranger. Each thoughtful detail of the experience, from the heartfelt welcome at the door to remembering the customer’s favorite flavor, has been naturally embraced at Nothing Bundt Cakes and that same culture and spirit has been brought into their relationships with franchise owners. It’s a very special kind of person that gets invited to become part of the Nothing Bundt Cakes family and we’ll talk about that and more today, with Dena Tripp.   

The School of Rock is the world's largest and most trusted multi-location music school with tens of thousands of musicians going through their classes, workshops, camps and performance programs every day. Their leadership is committed to combining their business savvy, passion for music and their compelling drive to help children succeed in each and every.  That charge is led by their CEO Rob Price and he joins us to tell us how this amazing brand takes music education and the business of providing it, to new heights...  this week on Franchise Today.  

(IFPG) The International Franchise Professionals Group is a membership based organization, with more than 800 members. Members consist of Franchisors, Franchise Brokers, Lenders, and other Franchise Professionals that help potential candidates in the process of buying franchises. Hundreds of nationally recognized franchise companies have chosen the IFPG and its members to represent their brands; hundreds of experienced franchise consultants and brokers have chosen the IFPG to power their business. All of these individuals understand the value of being associated with IFPG. The IFPG is a strictly membership based organization that does not participate in any referral fees from our franchisor members or our brokers, thereby allowing all of our members to work freely together. Our long-term success is predicated on retaining our members and providing all the tools needed to help award more franchises, and close more deals. Discover why 800+ Franchise Professionals have joined the IFPG Family!  

Michelle Fee is the founder and CEO of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. Backed by more than 35 years in the industry, Michelle is a well-rounded corporate travel veteran with in-depth knowledge in emerging travel trends and the franchise business. Founded in 1994, Cruise Planners is now the nation’s largest network of home-based travel agents, yet Michelle maintains personal connections with franchise owners and even a mentor to new franchisees at the company’s STAR University. Under Michelle’s leadership, Cruise Planners franchise owners are provided with unique marketing programs, hands-on training and cutting-edge tools allowing them to conduct business anywhere, anytime. She also leads a Home Office Team of more than 100 team members at Cruise Planners’ headquarters in Coral Springs, FL, which is full of Cruisitude. Michelle is the recipient of numerous awards and has been named Ultimate CEO, Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman of the Year from media outlets and charity org

Kit Vinson is a marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience from the ground up. His resume includes corporations such as Hillenbrand Industries, Service Corp. International and Infinity Broadcasting, showing his experience in advertising, financial services, and manufacturing. Kit earned an MBA from The American Graduate School of International Management (a.k.a. Thunderbird) in 1994. His fields of study include International Marketing and the Spanish language. He has also completed business studies at the University of London in London, England and language studies in Antigua, Guatemala.  Kit’s entrepreneurial ventures and his experience working for Fortune 500 corporations have given him a unique perspective into the business world. Kit is very active outside of work as a volunteer basketball coach for the YMCA, and the Den Leader, Assistant Pack Master, and Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack 847. Kit is also the host of an industry specific podcast called The Franchise Manual Podcast. Using thi

Bette Fetter is the Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts.  She is also the author of Being Visual: Raising a Generation of Visual Thinkers!  Bette’s life’s work has been focused on the importance of creative arts and visual learning in children.  Her true passion for kids, art, teaching and creativity, is what helped Bette launch a $35 a week part-time hobby into a multi-million-dollar, international franchise business.  Today, this mother of 4, tells us how "life balance" contributed to the growth of this 100-unit, International franchise system.  With franchisees successfully operating in 28 states, South Korea, Germany and the Middle East, she has Young Rembrandts geared up and positioned to begin growing the next hundred locations.  Primary geographical targets include the US, Canada, China and India.  Bette Fetter shares her passion, her story and moroe about her journey, this week on Franchise Today.   

Christian Pillat is passionate about transforming disruptive ideas into actionable business strategies.  As co-CEO of TRANSITIV, he does just that.  Transitiv provides franchisors and franchisees with cutting edge intelligence about their customers and local store marketing.  By enabling franchisees to identify their best customers, they can then market more effectively to them and bring them back more often.  They can also target more customers like them and increase their average spend and frequency of visits. 

This Grandpre is all about slow and steady... No race here!  Chris Grandpre is the Chairman and CEO of Outdoor Living Brands, the franchisors of multiple brands:  Archadeck, the world's leading designer and builder of custom decks, porches, sun rooms, patios and outdoor living spaces; Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, whose name is self explanatory, Renew Crew, a cleaning and protection company caring for a wide variety of exterior surfaces at residential and commercial properties; and Conserva-Irrigation, focused on the service and maintenance of sprinkler systems in a water-efficient manner. Outdoor Living Brands is also formerly the franchisor of Mosquito Squad, which they recently sold to Authority Brands, in December, 2018. Chris Grandpre sets the strategic direction for the company, across 250 existing franchisees, is the scout for future acquisitions, and proudly fosters a corporate culture of innovation and service, both internally and throughout the multiple franchise communities of their brands.    

Jonathan Barnett is Founder, President and CEO of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, one of the fastest growing cleaning franchises in North America, with over 300 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their Mission is to be an environmentally friendly, green carpet cleaning company, who’s #1 goal is to provide their customers with the highest quality carpet cleaning experience in the industry and accomplish this with excellent service and support throughout all levels of the company. Listen, as he explains how he is accomplishing this, with both consumers and his franchisees.      

Angela Cote is a second-generation franchising pro and consultant, from the Canadian Pacific Northwest.  Angela refers to herself as a Franchise Growth Catalyst.  Uniquely, she has experienced both sides of franchisor-franchisee relationships.  Her family founded the iconic Canadian franchise brand, M&M Meat Shops, a hugely well-known and successful franchise company that grew to just under 500 locations  from Cost-to-Coast across Canada and has won multiple business awards and distinctions, along the way.  Today, Angela helps emerging franchisors reach their growth goals faster as well as having some fun while doing it.  She is with an organization called Cultivate Advisors and she is here to share some stories about growing up inside a franchise family and how that helps her guide, counsel and consult with emerging brands today.  

The UPS Store, Inc. recently launched, Mission: Veteran Entrepreneurship, a program offering significant financial incentives – valued at nearly $300,000 – for a select group of qualified U.S. military veterans to help open their own The UPS Store® franchise location.   The UPS Store, Inc. is proud to support America’s U.S. armed forces as they pursue starting their own business and as a part of this effort the company will waive the franchise license fees for 10 first-time veteran franchisees.   The UPS Store, Inc. is accepting franchise application packets through Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 (Veterans Day). Chris Adkins, The UPS Store's Vice President of Franchise and Business Development will discuss this and more during this episode of Franchise Today.        

During this episode of Franchise Today, Chip Baranowski talks about he awards franchises, with Authority.  As VP of Franchise Development for Authority Brands, Chip discusses everything from marketing and lead generation, to processes, procedures and pipeline, funnel and candidate management.  All that and more, on this episode of Franchise Today.  

In the Front of the House, I talk with Ryan Hicks, about his 15 day, Multi-State Modrn Businss Podcast Road Show and tour, starting July 15th.  Then, my interview this week is with Brig Sorber, Chief Brand Officer and co-founder of Two Men and a Truck. He and his brother Jon started in the early 1980s as a way to make extra money while in high school. 30 years later, the company has grown to more than 350 locations worldwide.  This brand has a great story and a powerful culture.  It's all been born out of a great family's shared belief in focusing on giving.     Their mission:  Continuously strive to exceed customers' expectations in value and high standards of satisfaction.   Brig shares how his family built their brand through servant leadership.  He believes that this more than anything, is the fuel that has powered their growth.  From movers and office personnel, to franchisees and the communities that they serve, everyone is on the same page, at Two Men and a Truck.  

Fully Involved: Most of the subs at Firehouse Subs by default, are served "fully involved." (one of many kitschy firehouse references), which to customers means, automatically topped with a whole bunch of stuff, including lettuce, tomato, mustard, and a generous helping of mayo.  Fully Involved is also an apt description for Firehouse Subs Chief Executive Officer, Don Fox, a life-long over-achiever in both the culinary and franchising sectors.  Today, Don Fox serves as our First Responder and helps us learn about the magic of this incredible brand, started by REAL first responders and staying true to core values, through explosive growth.   

Unlike DISC or other assessment tools that simply gauge personality and communication styles, Zoracle is franchise specific and scientific.  In fact, its predictive analysis is based on 7 sciences that absolutely nail the results, each and every time.  Franchise prospects simply answer a few on-line questions and within minutes, Zoracle’s algorithms scientifically analyze their thresholds for risk, their management styles and even their propensity for single, or multi-unit ownership.       Zoracle’s SpotOn! meta-analysis is the closest thing to a sure thing.  And, because it’s all based on scientific algorithms, it flawlessly determine franchisee-franchisor compatibility and accurately predicts the performance a franchisor can expect from the candidates being considered.   We'll talk about how franchise brokers, franchise recruiters and yes, how prospective franchisees themselves, all benefit from this knowledge.  All of that and more, on this edition of Franchise Today!

Kit Vinson is a marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience from the ground up. His resume includes corporations such as Hillenbrand Industries, Service Corp. International and Infinity Broadcasting, showing his experience in advertising, financial services, and manufacturing. Kit earned an MBA from The American Graduate School of International Management (a.k.a. Thunderbird) in 1994. His fields of study include International Marketing and the Spanish language. He has also completed business studies at the University of London in London, England and language studies in Antigua, Guatemala. Kit’s entrepreneurial ventures and his experience working for Fortune 500 corporations have given him a unique perspective into the business world. He is very active outside of work as a volunteer basketball coach for the YMCA, and the Den Leader, asst. Pack Master, and Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack 847. Kit is also the host of an industry specific podcast called The Franchise Manual Podcast. Using this ve

When No Limit Agency was created in March 2008, Nick Powills saw an opportunity within the agency world, to deliver better relationships, strategy, service, and results, while consistently accomplishing and exceeding clients’ expectations. Now, 10+ years later, No Limit has earned national recognition, by maintaining a high level of professionalism in the eyes of its clients, the media, the industry and the public. Today it calls Chi town home and its offices in the historic Prudential Building serve as home base for a team of 35 professionals, creating and telling stories and delivering measurable results, for more than 80 brands that they serve. In today’s world of information on demand, the No Limit Agency strives to connect all the silos -- meaning, when they create a piece of content, it extends across channels. A press release morphs into a media pitch, or is repositioned into an article to use for their 1851 marketing platform, or serves as the foundation for a social media campaign and even forms th