Emerging Franchise Brands

Jeanna Womack, founder of Latchkey Pets, shares how a favor for her dad turned into a passion-fueled pet care business and eventually a growing franchise. In this episode, Jeanna reflects on building a business as a young mom, the lessons of franchising through a pandemic, and how she’s creating a purpose-driven brand that supports other women in business. From walking dogs with a stroller to guid...

Zach Tanner, founder of Painter Bros, shares how he started painting homes at 19 and turned that hustle into a multi-million dollar national franchise. In this episode, Zach talks about pivoting from residential to commercial work, why he paused franchising early on, and how his people-first culture helped Painter Bros grow to 130+ locations across 25 states. A must-listen for founders building br...

Destiny and Eric Rowell, co-founders of Grit + Grind Coffee, share how they turned a community need and a bucket of savings into a thriving franchise brand. From real estate to roasting, the couple recounts how their mobile-first model and grassroots marketing strategy helped them grow from one coffee trailer to a multi-state franchise. With a focus on values, vision, and staying true to their roo...

Wade Brannon, CEO of Pigtails & Crewcuts and franchise veteran behind the growth of Heavenly Ham, shares his journey of turning a single children’s salon into a scalable national brand. In this episode, Wade reflects on life after his first franchise exit, the unexpected opportunity that led him to children’s haircuts, and the business values that guide his leadership. With lessons from econom...

Brian Garrison, President of Wonderly Lights, joins the podcast to share how the Buzz Franchise Brands team launched a lighting franchise with a seasonal start and a long-term vision. From incubating Wonderly Lights with successful operators to expanding into year-round services like permanent and architectural lighting, Brian explains what makes this opportunity unique for both franchisees and cu...

Josie and Brian Moss, the team behind AAAC Wildlife Removal, share how they turned their passion for wildlife control into a fast-growing franchise. From gator wrangling to running a multi-state operation, they reveal what it takes to build a brand in one of the most unique corners of the home services industry. Tune in for wild stories, smart business insights, and their vision for the future of...

Kristy Anderson, co-founder of Onus iV Therapy and Longevity, and CMO Chaz Fallhaber join the show to share how they helped turn a mobile IV service into a fast-growing wellness brand with six corporate locations and a fresh new franchise model. In this episode, they talk about the early days of educating consumers, what makes their lounges stand out, and how they’ve created a scalable system root...

Denise Tran, founder and CEO of Bun Mee, shares the heartfelt story behind her bold leap from law to launching a gourmet Vietnamese sandwich brand. In this episode, Denise opens up about how a personal journey to honor her late father led to a deeper connection with her cultural roots—and a powerful business idea. GUEST: Danise Tran WEBSITE: https://bunmee.co/franchise DOWNLOAD FRANK'S FREE FR...

Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza Company, shares his journey from loyal customer to leading one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the Southeast. In this episode, Carl discusses the importance of simplifying operations, building systems for scalability, and creating a franchise model that puts community engagement at its core. GUEST: Carl Comeaux WEBSITE: https://www.crustfranchise.com/startup...

Lance Ingram and Tim Lovett, co-owners of Waterloo Turf, share how they’re transforming the turf industry by turning a local success into a high-growth national franchise. In this episode, Lance explains his transition from medical sales to entrepreneurship, and Tim discusses why Waterloo checked every box as a franchise-worthy brand. GUEST: Lance Ingram and Tim Lovett WEBSITE: https://waterlootur...

Chad Offerdahl, President and Co-CEO of The Big Biscuit, joins the show to talk about how a local diner-style concept with two locations grew into a high-performing breakfast franchise with nearly 30 restaurants across four states. In this episode, Chad shares what his team looked for when acquiring the brand, how they built a scalable model from the ground up, and why they're uniquely positio...

Diana and Derrick Simmons, co-founders of Simply Cabinetry Franchising, share how they turned a garage-based side hustle into a scalable franchise model. In this episode, they discuss building a business during the 2008 recession, the evolution of their showroom strategy, and why cabinetry is more of a need than a luxury. Learn how they've positioned their brand between big box retailers and b...

Mason Wu, co-founder of Tutu Land, joins the podcast to share how a COVID-era hobby became a fast-growing franchise concept. From tufting tutorials to tailored tech systems, Tutu Land is creating memorable experiences—and exploring big franchise potential. GUEST: Mason Wu WEBSITE: https://tutulandfranchise.com/ DOWNLOAD FRANK'S FREE FRANCHISE TIPS E-BOOK! https://hovqr.to/cd790850 For More Inf...

Marc Desgroseilliers, founder of Garage Floors 4 Less, joins the show to talk about the evolution of his business from humble beginnings to a franchise network that's redefining garage beautification. In this episode, Marc shares how growing up on a farm and working in the car business shaped his entrepreneurial mindset—and how a golf game sparked a fast-growing brand. From proprietary floorin...

Jerod Evanich, co-founder of A Place at Home, joins the podcast to share the story behind this rapidly growing senior care franchise. What started as a personal need to care for aging family members has evolved into a national brand with locations across 20 states. Jerod explains how he and his co-founder, Dustin DeStefano, created a multi-service senior care model that stands out in a competitive...

Jolita Brilliant, founder of Brilliant Massage & Skin, shares how she built Vermont’s highest-rated spa and is now offering franchise opportunities across New England. From her beginnings as a solo massage therapist to becoming a wellness-focused entrepreneur, Jolita's mission is rooted in empowerment, community, and quality. In this episode, she discusses why she prioritizes employee sati...

Dr. Talonda Thomas, founder of the New York Musician’s Center, joins the podcast to share how she transformed her passion for music into one of New York's top-tier music schools—and now an emerging franchise. From humble beginnings teaching piano from her living room to launching a multi-location business with 1,200 weekly students, Dr. Thomas explains what sets NYMC apart. She discusses her u...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume sits down with Marina Mentzel, founder of urSwim, to discuss her journey from running corporate swim locations to franchising a flexible, non-brick-and-mortar swim business. Marina shares how she built a scalable model that provides high-quality swim instruction while reducing overhead costs, the importance of community relationships i...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume sits down with Alex Filipuk, founder of Ideal Siding, to discuss how he built a thriving home services franchise from the ground up. With a background in digital marketing, Alex identified a gap in the siding industry and leveraged his lead generation expertise to turn Ideal Siding into a fast-growing franchise with over 77 locations a...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume sits down with Irena Azaraev, co-founder and CEO of BYou Laser Clinic. Irena shares her journey from corporate executive at Pandora Jewelry to launching a thriving aesthetics business in both Canada and the U.S. She discusses the strategic decisions behind BYou Laser Clinic’s expansion, the importance of building strong franchisee rela...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume sits down with Mike Harley, founder of Franchisor Advisor, to discuss the challenges and strategies for building a successful franchise. With decades of experience in franchising—including turning around struggling businesses, leading international expansions, and advising emerging brands—Mike shares valuable insights on what makes a f...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume sits down with John Gelastopoulos, CEO of Broken Yolk Café, to hear the incredible story of how he turned a single restaurant into a thriving franchise with 40 locations. From using credit cards to buy his first restaurant to implementing a simple but powerful marketing strategy, John shares the key moments that led to his success. GUEST: J...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume sits down with Jared Solomon, co-founder of Five Iron Golf, the franchise that is changing the way people experience golf. Jared shares how he and his team pioneered the concept of blending golf simulators with a bar and restaurant, creating a space for both serious golfers and casual entertainment seekers. GUEST: Jared Solomon WEBSITE: htt...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume sits down with Karen Frank, co-founder of Greenlight Mobility, to discuss how her company is transforming homes for individuals with mobility challenges. Karen shares how her background as a physical therapist, along with her husband Greg’s expertise as an occupational therapist, led them to start a business dedicated to home modifications—...

In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume talks with Garr Russell, founder of Fireside RV Rental, about how he turned a personal setback into a thriving franchise. What started as a Craigslist experiment with his own RV has grown into a booming business with over 55 franchise locations in just two years. Garr shares how his model leverages other people’s RVs, making it a low-overhe...