Franchise Today

When I return live next week, I will be joined by Alex Bingham, CEO of The Little Gym.  Until then, please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.  I can't thank you all enough for continuing to tune in each Wednesday at noon ET, for another episode of Franchise Today. Until next week, let me quote my good friend Jim Fliss, as I encourage you to enjoy the downtime and most importantly, "Enjoy Your Tur...

Thanksgiving is upon us, so when better, to kick off my special series of Franchise Today Podcasts, on Franchising Gives Back.  Jimmy John's Founder, Jimmy John Liautaud joins me to kick this series off, with a powerful, first installment.     Forget what you've heard, read or think that you know about this guy and tune in.  Jimmy shares from the heart with compelling stories of sharing, caring an...

Normally, my guests are accomplished franchising icons, those who have been there, done that and come here to share nuggets about it all.  Today, I have invited Elizabeth Dunham to the podcast.  Elizabeth is a talented writer whose franchising experience is  at best, early stage.  But stay tuned and learn why this woman will deliver more value than you can possibly imagine, as the Founder and Publ...

Scott Lehr has served the franchise community for 29 years in numerous positions within the International Franchise Association.  Most recently, as Executive Vice President, with oversight of membership recruitment and retention of Franchisors, Franchisees and Suppliers.  Earlier this year, Scott retired from the IFA and with two other industry giants, namely Tom Portesy, CEO of MFV Expos and Gary...

Tray Doster is Director of Franchise Sales for Zaxby’s Franchising LLC and Chairman of the Board of the Southeast Franchise Forum, IFA’s Franchise Business Network affiliate, in Atlanta, GA.  Tray has been with Zaxby’s since 2007 joining the brand at the 325 restaurants open mark and has contributed directly with moving that high water mark to now more than 900 open and operating units.  Prior to...

.  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 franchisin...

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 the...

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, a...

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 Pric...

(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; h...

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 pers...

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. Hi...

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, internation...

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...

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 carin...

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 acc...

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 lo...

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 t...

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...

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-achieve...

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...

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. Hi...

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 indust...