FranchiseU!

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...

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with  Brian Goldstein , President and Owner of  Fulenwider Enterprises , to explore one of the most remarkable career journeys in the restaurant industry. Brian started at Taco Bell at just 16½ years old and worked his way up through nearly every leadership position imaginable, ultimately serving as COO of KFC and leading its national oper...

 From graphic designer to CEO of a national family of franchise brands, Ryan Parsons has built a career defined by creativity and purpose. As the co-founder of the ‘Brothers That Just Do Gutters’ and now CEO of Evive Brands, Ryan shares how he's leading five franchise systems that help people live and thrive from home care to home improvement.   From graphic designer to CEO of a national family of...

What does it take to build more than 160 McAlister’s Deli restaurants, lead nearly 8,000 employees, and still live by the motto “Have fun. No regrets.”? In this episode of FranchiseU!, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews David Blackburn , founder, former CEO, and current chairman of Southern Rock Restaurants , the largest McAlister’s Deli franchisee in the United States. From his humble start at Bona...

From winning a Super Bowl with the Raiders to building one of the largest Auntie Anne’s franchise groups in the country, Ed Muransky has lived two extraordinary careers. In this episode of FranchiseU! , host Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Ed Muransky , founder and CEO of the Muransky Companies , to discuss how lessons from the NFL shaped his approach to business and leadership. He shares how he g...

What do combat missions, data analytics, and warm cookies fresh from the oven all have in common? That is all part of my guest's incredible journey. Today I am joined by Nicholas Jewel, who is a decorated veteran-turned-entrepreneur, and now a multi-unit franchisee of Crumbl Cookies. While earning two Bronze stars as a combat controller in the Air National Guard, Nicholas led with courage, innovat...

You know what's great about franchising? It is that almost any concept can be franchised. And there's one I hadn't thought about. That is in the world of beauty, determining what colors look best on you. It's something that maybe those of us knew in the 80s and 90s, but House of Colour USA really knows what they're doing today. And I had the opportunity to visit House of Colour in this podcast wit...

In this episode of FranchiseU! , host Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Shelly Berkowitz, the esteemed founder of BrightStar Care. Berkowitz shares her inspiring journey from her early days working in corporate jobs to founding BrightStar, a premier medical and non-medical home healthcare and medical staffing service franchise. She recounts the challenges and successes she faced while growing BrightSta...

I have an opportunity, in my line of work, to talk to a lot of franchisees and a lot of franchisors. It's always enlightening, but it's very rare to be able to talk to someone who has been a franchisee of multiple brands and continues to give back even now with consulting. So join me in this episode of FranchiseU! when I talk with Ron Taylor. Ron has been a very successful franchisee of Edible Bra...

So many of us have heard about Magnolia Bakery. It's been famous from TV shows like Sex in the City; and Only Murders in the Building. They have delicious cupcakes and banana pudding, just all the wonderful things. But what's really exciting is… Magnolia Bakery has just announced that they are going to start franchising here in the US and there are so many opportunities available. In this episode...

The International Franchise Association does so much to protect, enhance, and support the franchise model. It's really pretty incredible the amount of work they do, but sometimes people don't know exactly what do they do. So join me in this episode of FranchiseU! where I have the privilege of sitting down with Matt Hower, the CEO of the IFA and Jennifer branding the COO of the IFA, or they talk ab...