Franchise Today

One can only wonder what it might be like to be surrounded in business, by leaders the likes of David Barr, current and past member or chair of dozens of boards, of franchised Brands, and those of restaurant concepts, both on the zor and zee side, as well as being nothing less than past chair of the IFA Board itself.  And what must it be like to work side-by-side with FranWorth founder and CEO John Rotche, another serial entrepreneur, mentor, FranWorth Founder and CEO and let’s not forget Drew Breez, franchising entrepreneur extraordinaire and yes, we’re talking about the same Drew Breez that for years led the New Orleans Saints, taking them to the Super Bowl while himself, personally earning 2009 Superbowl MVP honors.    At Franworth, their mission is to help franchisors grow to their full potential. With over 450 years of combined franchise experience, Franworth was designed to multiply resources, engineered to steer strategy and accelerate growth. We partner with franchises in a variety of capacities; fr

Off for the holiday this week, but I present an encore of  the most fun I have ever had producing Franchise Today.  It features me on WSB Radio, talking about my favorite topic, (aside from franchising) CHICKEN WINGS!  Mark Arum hosts the wildly popular, Afternoon Drive on Atlanta’s News & Talk.  Well, tune in to listen what happened when I wound up on the air with him...It all took place 1 year ago.  .     

Today I welcome John Erlandson to Franchise Today. John is the Co-Founder, President, Board Member and an Investor, in Youth Athletes United, a recently created portfolio company, building a family of brands, all centered upon child enrichment, through youth sports. While the company itself, is fairly new, it was established out of the pairing of youth sports and activities brands Amazing Athletes and Soccer Stars.  Under its umbrella today and across all 5 of its core brands, Youth Athletes United boasts some 15 - 20 years of success and a total of 200+ locations.  Add to that, the nearly a quarter million children instructed by their programs, nationwide each year.  Youth Athletes United has earned trust in each community they touch. The brand’s overarching mission is to help the world understand that everyone is an athlete and ultimately impact the lives of over one million children. The high-energy and passionate John Erlandson, Co-Founder and President of Youth Athletes United, this week on Franchise To

This week I feature May's Rising Star in Franchising, Angela Healy, CEO at AvenueWest Corporate Housing and AvenueWest Franchising.    As some of you may know, I began my franchise career in residential real estate franchising, converting large, local brokerages , to brands such as ERA and PRUDENTIAL.  In those days, it was my job to convince high powered, independent real estate brokers that their world was changing and that while they could certainly dig in and ignore those changes, they would do better, to jump in with brands like ours, and protect themselves from the losses they would otherwise suffer, at the hands of RE/MAX, if they chose to remain independent. Well, since those days, the industry has morphed by umpteen orders of magnitude and the game continues to change.  Now comes Angela Healy, with a game-changing twist of her own.  With more than 25 years of industry experience, Angela Healy is the co-owner of AvenueWest, a Denver-based, managed Corporate Housing concept and of AvenueWest Global Fr

Today’s conversation is with Greg Cook.  Many of you know Greg fro his 10 years at the IFA, running all things marketing. Well, today he has parlayed all of that experience and more, as he heads up Silvercrest Technology and Marketing, as President and CEO.  Among our topics of conversation today, are just how much the lines have fuzzed between the disciplines of marketing and technology and what the recipe calls for in today's post COVID world of franchise marketing.   Silvercrest was founded in 2011 to fill a growing need for franchisees to access marketing and media efficiently.  The agency is dedicated to delivering brand solutions for franchised and multi-unit organizations utilizing a combination of proprietary technology, customer data, marketing needs, and media buying, harnessed in one sophisticated yet simple platform.  Greg Cook joins us today to discuss his recipe for successful franchise and multi-unit level marketing.

Pete First has been with BrightStar care for nearly 4 years, beginning his journey there, as Vice President of Franchise Development for BrightStar Care.  During his tenure, Pete has grown that brand’s nationwide presence to 365 locations and has expanded the brand into new territories and markets. Today, as Chief Development Officer of BrightStar Holdings Group, Pete is responsible for recruiting new franchise owners to all three of their brands: BrightStar Care, BrightStar Senior Living®, and BrightStar® Care Homes™.

This week we are joined by WOWorks CEO Kelly Roddy, to discuss his instance of one of the hottest, trends in franchising, rollups. Roll-ups are formed when a company is created, usually backed by private equity, to group multiple, compatible brands under a single umbrella, such that they may all leverage back-end economies of scale.  It's simply smart business.for so many reasons. Kelly is a veteran of FOCUS Brands, an early pioneer in roll-ups, where he served as President of Shlotzky’s, .   WOWorks was formed in 2020 to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious, and flavorful food, delivered with first-rate hospitality. WOWorks’ portfolio consists of: Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, oatmeal bowls, and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers

Matthew Gourgeot, a true advocate and champion for small business in America.  Today, he heads Corporate and Business Development at Thryv, where he is responsible for leading their franchise division and developing the company’s strategic corporate partnerships.  Traded on the NASDAQ, THRYV is the provider of software that supports more than 40,000 loc al businesses and nearly 500,000 users, across the continent.  What they have created is a fully integrated, end-to-end B2C customer experience platform, empowering small businesses to reach more customers, stay better organized, get paid faster and generate more online reviews.  Utilizing Thryv's platform, small businesses can manage their customers anytime, anywhere and from any device.  

Acceler8Success Group was formed mid-2020, building upon Acceler8Success principles and methods, all proven successful, since 2014. Between them, Founder and CEO Paul Segreto and Erik Premont, President, possess nearly six decades of practical, hands-on experience in the fields of:  - Entrepreneur & Leadership Coaching - Business Accelerator Consulting - Small Business & Franchise Consulting - Restaurant & Hospitality Consulting - International Business Development Consulting - Fractional C-level Management - Commercial Development Management - Business & Product Brokerage - Financial Modeling & Analysis - Commercial Real Estate Advisory - Design & Construction Advisory - Board Advisory Widely recognized as industry leaders & experts, Acceler8Success Group's leadership have extensive experience as entrepreneurs in small business & restaurants, as senior-level executives within nationally recognized brands, and as franchisees within successful franchise systems.  P

I'm back next week to kick-off a great line-up of guests for this Spring Season.  C-ya then.-Stan

Best Life Brands is a family of companies focused on the well being of clients at any stage of life and includes - ComForCare, At Your Side, premier franchised providers of in-home caregiving and private-duty nursing services, CarePatrol, the nation’s largest franchised senior placement organization, Boost Home Health Care and Blue Moon Estate Sales, the leading estate sales franchise in the U.S.  As CEO, JJ Sorrenti oversees the strategic growth of Best Life Brands. A franchising and retailing expert, J.J.has led multiple companies to award-winning results over the past 25 years. Formerly president of Safeguard Business Systems, a division of Deluxe Corporation, his experience also included serving as CEO and board member of Hollywood Tans, CEO of Huntington Learning Centers, and Senior Vice President and General Manager at General Nutrition Centers. JJ is also involved with the International Franchise Association (IFA) and sits on the board of trustees for the IFA Education Foundation.

This week I talk with Scott Gittrich, founder and CEO of TOPPERS Pizza.  Scott Gittrich delivered his first pizza in 1984 while attending the University of Illinois. He dropped out of college after only two weeks into that job to pursue a full-time pizza career. Ever since then, he’s been a “pizza guy” through and through. He loved everything about the business, from the rush of the kitchen and ingredient selection, all the way through to the satisfaction he delivered to his customers. After years of working for Domino’s working his way up from delivery driver to director of operations for a group of franchisees, Scott’s vision was to be more bold and creative, so he opened the first Toppers in 1991 with a mission to set the standard for high-quality pizza. Today Toppers has grown to over 70 locations nationwide by consistently giving customers exactly what they want. Our brand’s focus on innovative menu options, bold recipes and world-class technology allowed us to seize the opportunity in a previously unt

Back in 2007, Shuckin’ Shack co-Founders Matt Piccinin and Sean Cook had a craving for fresh oysters. Living in the sleepy coastal town of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, they figured it shouldn’t be too hard to find an oyster bar, right? WRONG. Realizing they’d stumbled onto an unmet need in their local restaurant scene, Matt and Sean hatched a plan to open their own fresh oyster bar and seafood restaurant. Through cases of beer and plans scrawled on napkins, the pair’s dream materialized as a 900-square-foot monument to domestic seafood, cold beer, and laid-back fun for the locals.  Shuckin’ Shack was an instant hit, but things didn’t really get cooking until Jonathan Weathington joined the crew in 2014 in franchise development, then quickly becoming CEO.  Shuckin Shack features fresh, high quality seafood like you’d find in white tablecloth establishments, but in an atmosphere more like a beach shack and certainly way upstream from what you’d expect from fast food.   What impresses me most about this b

Marking 62 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, last week the IFA celebrated it's Annual Convention, this year in San Diego and featured speakers that included NBA legend and franchisor, Shaquille O’Neal, Inspire Brands CEO Paul Brown, and Self Esteem Brand’s David Mortensen, along with America’s first black female combat pilot Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, and author and workforce innovator Seth Mattison.    I had an open mic on the convention floor and asked nearly 3 dozen industry pros to become speakers, as well.  My question?  What does IFA and it's annual Convention mean to you?   Here's what they told me!

In the early 2000s, eight Baltimore-Washington Metro Area premier dry cleaners banded together to create a powerhouse brand: ZIPS Dry Cleaners. Together, they brought 100+ years of garment care expertise to the table. Their combined knowledge allowed them to perfect the dry-cleaning process from start to finish.  While known in franchising more for his years in food service, restaurants and hospitality, Bob Barry has actually served on the ZIPS Board, for eight years, prior to assuming the role of President and CEO for these industry disruptors.  The ZIPS difference is their passion for providing high-quality dry cleaning at unbelievably low prices. They have streamlined every part of the dry-cleaning process, from cutting costs and cleaning times to providing the best possible service and prices.  Today, they are thriving at 65 locations nationwide, with commitments in hand for another 150. Here to tell us all about it, is ZIPS President/CEO, Bob Barry. 

This week I am happy to feature Katrina Mitchell, someone who seldom takes hold of the mic, or is seen center stage.  Rather, she is usually working behind the scenes, securing center stage keynote opportunities for her ever- growing roster of speakers and/or planning conferences for an expansive roster of franchise brands.  Franchise Speakers Bureau is the ONLY speakers bureau dedicated exclusively to the verticals of franchising, licensing and distribution.    Katrina Mitchell is the Founder and Chief Matchmaker, at Franchise Speakers.  Launched in 2008, when Katrina was still a successful franchisee herself, she saw the need for a franchise industry speakers bureau that would help franchisors find the perfect speakers, trainers, facilitators, emcees and entertainers, to authentically connect with their franchisees. At Franchise Speakers, their mission is to help franchisors create fabulous experiences for their franchisees. While their speakers do the talking, Katrina’s team are active listeners… respond

Cliff Kennedy bought a frios gourmet pops franchise in 2018, and not even a year later, purchased the ENTIRE company. Why?  Because Cliff believes in magic.  You see,one fateful afternoon, Cliff was stuck in traffic as he was every afternoon in Mobile, AL, when he spotted a crowd of happy faces at a Frios Gourmet popsicle stand at the side of the road.  Next came the magic. Cliff pulled off, walked up to the stand to escape traffic for a minute, and took a bite of his future. A Key Lime Pie frios ice pop on a stick was his choice, and it completely altered the course of Cliff’s life.  In his mind’s eye Cliff was immediately transported to a beach in Florida and away from the afternoon drive and traffic. This is the power and magic of a frios. Cliff was so mesmerized that he called his wife and told her, “we are buying a “Popsicle” company.” Randomly buying a dessert company could sound like a crazy statement. Still, Cliff wanted in because of the moment of HAPPINESS and MAGIC that it delivered to him while

Greg Nathan is the Founder of the Franchise Relationships Institute (FRI) and recognized as the global thought leader on the psychology of franchising. He has been a registered psychologist for 35 years and is regularly invited to deliver keynote addresses at franchise sector conferences around the world. Greg's books such as Profitable Partnerships and the Franchisor's Guide to Improving Field Visits, are regarded as essential reading for anyone who works in the franchising sector. His numerous franchising models such as the Franchise E-Factor and The Franchising Wheels of Excellence are all based on empirical research and have helped shape the way franchising is conducted around the world. Greg has books in print around the world, in multiple languages.    

Today we hear another inspiring story when Zach Buetler, co-founding partner of Horsepower Brands, shares the story of his amazing ascent from becoming a multi-unit franchisee in his early 20s, to ultimately losing it all.  Following his wipe out, which included a bankruptcy, Zach took a Mulligan and bounced back even bigger and better, with his second bite of the apple.  All of this led to his migration to the Zor side of the business where he learned first-hand,the difference between franchise sales and franchise development, for sustainable growth and sensible franchising. Today we’ll hear another inspiring story when Zach Buetler, co-founding partner of Horsepower Brands, shares the story of his amazing ascent from becoming his career as a multi-unit franchisee in his early 20s,to ultimately losing it all.  Zack took a Mulligan following his wipe-out and bankruptcy and bounced back bigger and better, with his second bite of the apple.  He has since migrated to the Zor side of the business, where he has le

Michael Isakson is the retired President and COO of ServiceMaster Franchise Services Group, an international franchise services company, where he had responsibility for the development and growth of more than 5,000 franchises worldwide with sales totaling more than $2 billion annually.  As part of the $4 billion ServiceMaster Company, Mike led ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec brands, specializing in residential and commercial cleaning services, disaster restoration, on-site furniture repair, and home inspections.Mike was also the Chair of the IFA in 2008-2009 and is the Immediate Past Chair of the IFA Education Foundation.   Today, he and his partners Doug Pound and Jim Wassell, give guidance to their clients and through Insight to Execution, help guide them on their journeys.