FranchiseU!

How do you know when your restaurant concept is truly ready to franchise?   For Maggie Gordon and her husband, Kyle, co-founders of Dillas Primo Quesadillas , the answer came through years of building the business, refining operations, and learning what it takes to grow without sacrificing quality or culture.   In this episode of FranchiseU!, Maggie joins Kathleen to share how an idea born during...

What does it take to grow a restaurant franchise from 100 locations to 2,000? And why did it take McDonald's up to a year to gain franchisee support for McCafé in some markets?   In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser welcomes Jay Bandy , President of Goliath Consulting Group and fellow University of Louisville graduate, for a behind-the-scenes look at franchise growth, restaurant operat...

On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Felipe Martinez , Vice President of Franchise Development at Estrella Insurance , about franchise ownership, franchise development, due diligence, and finding the right franchisees for long-term growth. Estrella Insurance has more than 45 years of operating history and over 240 franchise-owned locations across nine states...

Jim Metevier ’s career journey has taken him from restaurant assistant manager to CEO, with more than 30 years of experience across major restaurant brands.   In this episode of FranchiseU, host Dr. Kathy Gosser reconnects with her former KFC colleague Jim Metevier, CEO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza . Jim shares his journey from KFC assistant manager to more than two decades with Yum! Brands, where he...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Lori Riddle Eberenz , Director of Global Public Relations and Storytelling for Yum! Brands , to discuss how storytelling builds brands, strengthens franchise relationships, supports business strategy and helps leaders communicate through change and crisis.   Lori shares her journey from journalism and agency work to nearly a decade wi...

On this episode of the FranchiseU Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Alex Nessenthaler , Franchise Owner of Magnolia Bakery in Louisville, Kentucky, about her journey from corporate retail leadership to franchise ownership. Alex spent years in the fashion industry, most recently overseeing North American retail for Tory Burch. After a career that required frequent travel, she began reconsid...

Today Dr. Kathy Gosser welcomes Abby Epperly , General Manager and co-owner of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Rock Hill in South Carolina. Abby opened the location with her father, Doug Epperly, in May 2026 and now oversees day-to-day operations while helping create a welcoming gathering place for the community.   Abby’s journey began at the University of Louisville, where she became the first student...

In this special episode of FranchiseU, co-host Dr. Zac Goldman sits down with fellow University of Louisville colleague and longtime corporate leader Dr. Kathy Gosser to explore the enduring leadership philosophy of Colonel Harland Sanders .   Dr. Gosser shares firsthand insights from her 35-year career at KFC and Yum! Brands , breaking down how a simple roadside restaurant transformed into a glob...

In this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Matt Kunz , President and CEO of Fastest Labs , about relationship-first leadership, franchisee coaching, and the systems required to support sustainable growth. Matt draws on more than 27 years in franchising, beginning with his experience as a Sylvan Learning franchisee. By closely following the operating model, maintaining...

Today Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Chequan Lewis , President of Crunch Fitness , to discuss his remarkable leadership journey from Howard University and Harvard Law School to the helm of one of the world's fastest-growing fitness franchises. Originally aspiring to a career in public service, Lewis began as a litigator before joining Pizza Hut as a franchise attorney, where a pivotal conversatio...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Amanda Valente , co-founder and COO of Renovation Sells , to discuss how her company is transforming the home renovation experience through a franchise model built on speed, transparency, quality, and predictability.   Amanda shares her journey from legal marketing to franchise leadership and explains why Renovation Sells was founded...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser explores how franchise education can open doors to careers that many students and professionals never realize exist. Franchising supports millions of jobs, fuels entrepreneurship, creates pathways to generational wealth, and touches nearly every aspect of business; from operations and marketing to finance, legal strategy, and relationship management...

On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast , host Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Alvaro Leal , Director of Business Development at 1-TOM-PLUMBER , to explore why franchising and the home services industry are attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs. Leal shares his journey from marketing work with Chick-fil-A to the fast-growing plumbing franchise sector, drawn by the power of scalable syste...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Kevin and Kayla Curtis about their journey from athletics, coaching, and education into multi-unit franchise ownership with seven Orangetheory Fitness studios across the Phoenix, Arizona metro area. Kevin, a former NFL player and longtime collegiate football coach, and Kayla, a former Fresno State basketball player, educator, and coach, d...

Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Robin Gagnon , Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants , on what drives successful franchise restaurant sales and the trends shaping the resale market.   Robin shares her path from broadcasting to entrepreneurship, later earning her MBA and building a national restaurant brokerage with her husband, Eric. Under her leadership, the company has expanded nationwide and ea...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping franchising by turning data into real-time insights that improve performance and strengthen relationships. In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with  Mike Skitzki , COO of  Goldfish Swim School , and  Gary Liskovich,  CEO of  Harmonize , about how AI is transforming franchise coaching.   They discuss how systems are moving beyond dashboards t...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with  Dr. Arif Nazir , a nationally recognized geriatrician and physician executive, as he prepares to open Louisville’s first  Paris Baguette . His career has focused on improving quality of life for older adults through person-centered care models that strengthen teams, reduce hospitalizations, and preserve dignity and independence.   Dr...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with  Josh Patrick , Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at  KidStrong , the youth fitness brand recently ranked #1 in youth fitness franchising after a year of record attendance and franchise growth.   Josh shares how a chance meeting at Starbucks while studying for the CPA exam launched his career in franchising, beginning with A...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host,  Dr. Kathy Gosser , as she interviews  Richie Huffman , founder and CEO of  Celebree School , about the deliberate path from a single preschool in 1994 to a nationally expanding franchise system. After building the company to 26 corporate locations, Richie began franchising in 2019, formalizing the systems, standards, and culture that had fueled deca...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, for a candid conversation with Jon Utterback , an Indiana educator, coach, and multi-brand franchise owner who has built a second career in entrepreneurship while spending more than 30 years teaching high school social studies and coaching football, wrestling, and golf. Based in Plainfield, Jon co-owns and operates Mosquito Joe , Th...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, sits down with  Emily Bergman , a multi-unit franchisee, and area director with  Arthur Murray Dance Studios . Emily shares her inspiring journey from starting as a dance instructor at the age of 19 to opening her first studio at 24. She discusses her path to success, which includes breaking sales records, expanding to multiple locations...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, sits down with  Carriann Sillman , in house counsel for the  Coldwell Banker Real Estate  franchise system and Vice President of Legal at  Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. . Carriann shares her inspiring, non-traditional journey to legal leadership, balancing family, work, and night school. She discusses the dynamic role of legal strategy in a...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, interviews Ricky Richardson , CEO of Eggs Up Grill , one of the fastest-growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchises in the country. Ricky shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, including his significant tenure with TGI Fridays, where he served as US President and Global Chief Operating Officer. He discusses his l...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser explores the exceptional journey of  Donny Bradley , founder of Lola Beans , a fast-growing coffee brand. Starting from a career in medical device sales, Donny's path took a radical turn after discovering Alaska's iconic coffee shacks. The episode covers his transition to entrepreneurship, the inspiration drawn from Alaskan coffee culture, and the i...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser takes a deep dive into the rise of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, one of the fastest-growing brands in the QSR space. Kathy sits down with Garrett Reed , CEO of Layne’s, and Eli Cohen , a rapidly expanding multi-unit franchisee, to explore their journeys, their philosophies, and the culture that makes Layne’s Chicken Fingers stand out.   Garrett shares ho...