From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

Send us Fan Mail Most franchise opportunities promise stability — but few are as resilient and rewarding as the commercial cleaning sector. In this episode, Allison Dudas dives into the booming world of cleaning and maintenance, revealing how this essential industry is not only recession-resistant but also a hidden goldmine for entrepreneurs willing to manage people, build relationships, and imple...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we announce our Most Profitable Franchises of 2026. We name 50 franchise brands in this list whose franchisees report higher earnings than the average. No brand can pay to be on this list! They are on it because of their high franchisee satisfaction scores thanks to FBR's market research.  This episode breaks down the characteristics of the most profitable br...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBR Guest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window Cleaning This episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill Kesler, a franchisee from Fish Window Cleaning, as the guest. They discuss the increasing role of women in franchising, highlighting that women now own...

Send us Fan Mail Jason Sharp’s journey from corporate healthcare to owning a pool supply franchise in Alabama reveals the real secret to success: building a community-focused team and letting your leadership shine behind the scenes. Discover how Jason’s strategic approach and operational systems turned a stagnant business into a thriving enterprise, even amidst COVID chaos. In this episode, you’ll...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Michelle and Allison dive into the importance of franchise culture. They discuss how a strong culture can significantly impact franchisee satisfaction and business success. The episode highlights the top franchises known for their positive culture, emphasizing that culture is not just about corporate strategy but also about fostering supportive relationships...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Ali Kraus delve into the diverse world of franchise funding options. From traditional bank loans to innovative rollover strategies, they explore how aspiring franchisees can navigate financial challenges with confidence. Ali shares her expertise from Benetrends, highlighting the importance of understanding your financial landscape and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan and Katherine LeBlanc discuss essential marketing questions to consider when evaluating franchise opportunities. Katherine, with over 20 years of marketing experience, shares insights into the complexities of marketing within franchising. They explore the importance of understanding brand funds, the role of market...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," the hosts delve into the often-overlooked aspects of franchise agreements that can significantly impact buyers. Joined by Megan Center, a seasoned franchise attorney, they explore the critical differences between the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement itself. The discussion highlights the importance...

Send us Fan Mail Most franchisees in senior care are driven by a deep sense of purpose, but Zubin Kapadia’s journey reveals what it truly takes to succeed in this fast-growing, emotionally rewarding industry. When he transitioned from law and international healthcare ventures to owning a Right at Home franchise, he discovered that passion, strategic support, and community presence are the secret i...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, Franchise Business Review Guest: Susan Black-Beth, Auspicious Owl In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," hosts Michelle Rowan and Susan Black-Beth explore the impact of private equity on franchising. They discuss how private equity acquisitions can change priorities, timelines, and relationships within franchise systems. Susan, founder of Auspic...

Send us Fan Mail Franchise Business Review is a market research firm dedicated to franchisee satisfaction. This means we work hard to figure out how happy franchisees are owning their brands. This episode gets at our process and explores: Why you need franchisee satisfaction data if you're researching franchises to invest in. Why FBR's data is unbiased and how we keep it that way.  What...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands Summary Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resi...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could own a thriving business for under $100,000? In this episode, Allison and Michelle reveal Franchise Business Review's 2026 Top 50 Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities, breaking down the advantages of leaner business models and what the data really shows about franchisee satisfaction, scalability, and work-life balance. With 93% of franchisees on this list saying...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Tim Parmeter, Founder and CEO of FranCoach Summary Unlock the secrets to successful franchise ownership with insights from Tim Parmeter, a seasoned franchise broker at FranCoach. This episode reveals how working with a franchise consultant can be your shortcut to finding the right franchise fit. Tim demystifies th...

Send us Fan Mail Most entrepreneurs kill their growth momentum by overcomplicating the journey—Antonio McBroom reveals how a simple mindset shift accelerated his rise from a college student scooper to one of the largest Ben & Jerry's franchisees on the planet. Discover the high-impact strategies that turned a small ice cream shop into a multi-million dollar empire, and learn how to build...

Send us Fan Mail Michelle Rowan talks to Crumbl Cookies and Pizza Factory franchisee, Ernie Amorim, about the intricacies of operating a brick-and-mortar food franchise. Ernie, a seasoned multi-unit franchise owner, shares his journey from purchasing his first Pizza Factory franchise at the age of 23 to expanding his business empire to include multiple restaurants and Crumble Cookies outlets. The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," we delve into the 2026 list of top franchises for women, celebrating female franchise owners and the brands that support them. Our host, joined by frequent guest and producer Allison Dudas, explores the unique methodology behind the rankings, emphasizing that no brand can pay to be on the list. Instead, the rankings are based on...

Send us Fan Mail Join Michelle Rowan and Anthony Byrd in this episode of "From A to Franchisee" as they unravel the complexities of SBA loans for franchise buyers. Discover how SBA loans serve as a government-backed security for banks, making it easier for new businesses to secure funding. Anthony Byrd, a seasoned expert in franchising and SBA lending, dispels common myths about these lo...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of top-performing franchisees in this insightful episode. Discover how these leaders achieve consistent success, even in challenging markets, by treating their franchise like a CEO-run business and following proven systems. Join Allison Dudas from Franchise Business Review as she shares real stories from award-winning franchisees across various industries, revea...

Send us Fan Mail Discover what it’s really like to join a franchise in its early stages through the firsthand insights of Tom Winspear. Learn about the advantages, challenges, and strategies for success when entering an emerging brand, plus tips on assessing and building a strong franchise community. Resources Listen: Announcing the Top 200 Franchises of 2026 Listen: Understanding the Franchise Di...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ashley Vetek shares her journey from military service to successful multi-unit franchise owner of Tutu School, focusing on the unique opportunities and challenges in the children’s enrichment space. Whether you're considering entering this sector or interested in franchise ownership, Ashley's insights are invaluable. Resources Listen: Industry Spotlight...

Send us Fan Mail This episode delves into the role of a franchise business consultant (FBC), featuring guest Maria Heatherington from Massage Luxe. The discussion highlights the FBC's role as a strategic partner and coach for franchise owners, helping them operate smoothly and profitably while aligning with the brand. Maria shares insights into her journey from managing a tanning salon franch...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan interviews Carli Sonntag, a franchise owner in the tutoring space, specifically with Mathnasium. Carli shares her journey from working in media and teaching to owning a franchise, highlighting the blend of business acumen and mission-driven goals that led her to this path. She discusses the challenges and rewards...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan speaks with representatives from two distinct franchise systems about the importance of training and support. First up is Scott Koepf from Cruise Planners, a home-based travel franchise. Secondly, Steven Schenck shares his perspective from 360clean, a commercial cleaning franchise. They discuss the initial training brands may offer, and the...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Paige Robinson Dosch, VP Franchise Resales, Unleashed Brands The podcast episode features Michelle Rowan and Paige Robinson Dosch discussing the intricacies of buying and selling franchise businesses. Paige, the VP of Franchise Resales at Unleashed Brands, shares her expertise on the benefits and challenges of acq...