From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Allison Dudas, B2C Senior Marketing Manager at Franchise Business Review Episode Summary In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review, unveils the much-anticipated "FBR's Top 200 Franchises of 2026." This exclusive list is unique in the...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan of Franchise Business Review Guest: Madeleine Zook, CMO | Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchisee Summary: In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Madeleine Zook delve into the crucial role of talking to franchisees before investing in a franchise investment. Madeleine emphasizes that speaking with current franchisees provides invaluable insights into the realities of r...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Eric Stites, Founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review Episode Summary: The Journey of Starting Franchise Business Review Introduction: Twenty years ago, a light bulb moment sparked the creation of Franchise Business Review. Eric Stites, then working with franchise marketing, noticed a gap in the indust...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan interviews Mitch Wallace, a franchisee with Caring Senior Services, to explore the journey of transforming an existing senior care business into a franchise. Mitch shares his personal story of entering the senior care industry, driven by the need to care for his own family members. Initially starting as an indepen...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan interviews Mike Jones, a franchisee in the business services industry, specifically with Sandler, a well-known brand in training and sales development. The discussion delves into the unique aspects of owning a business services franchise, highlighting the transition from traditional business ownership to a franchise model. Mike shares his jo...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President & COO of Franchise Business Review Guests: Russ O'Rear, Franchisee of Travelin' Tom's Truck and Kona Ice since 2019, Tim Valiant, Franchisee of Travelin' Tom's and Kona Ice since 2012 Episode Summary of Industry Spotlight: Mobile Food Franchisees This podcast episode from "A to Franchisee" delves into the world...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan hosts a discussion with Vik Sreedhar and Supriya, franchise owners of Amazing Athletes in San Jose. The conversation explores their journey into the child enrichment franchise sector, highlighting their transition from previous careers in pharmacy and tech sales to owning a business that aligns with their family lifestyle. They discuss the c...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Michael Iannuzzi,  Episode Summary In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan discusses the importance of having an exit strategy in franchising with guest Michael Iannuzzi, a partner at Citrin Cooperman. They emphasize that it's never too early to plan your exit strategy, as it helps avoid future surpri...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focuses on the concept of "Discovery Days" in the franchise industry, where potential franchisees meet with franchisors to validate their interest in a brand. Michelle Rowan hosts the discussion with guests Rob Lancit, Marci Kleinsasser, and Jordan Wilson, each representing different franchise models. They explore various approaches to Discovery Days, includ...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Eric Stites, Founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review Summary of How Much Money Can You Make Owning A Franchise? In this episode of From A to Franchisee , Michelle Rowan and Eric Stites discuss the financial aspects of owning a franchise. They address the common question of how much money one can make...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, COO and President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Ali Kraus, CMO of Benetrends Financial and Vice Chair of IFA's Women in Franchising Committee Episode Summary: In this engaging podcast episode, Michelle Rowan welcomes back Ali Kraus, the first repeat guest, to discuss the evolving landscape of women in franchising. They explore the progress and chal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Toni Harris-Taylor discuss the importance of diversity in franchising. Toni, a dynamic leader in the franchise world, emphasizes the need for awareness and inclusivity, debunking myths about financial barriers for minorities entering franchising. They explore the lack of representation at franchise events and the need for franchisors to engage w...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan of Franchise Business Review Guest: Madeleine Zook, CMO of Threshold Brands and Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchisee Summary: In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Madeleine Zook delve into the crucial role of engaging with franchisees before committing to a franchise investment. Madeleine emphasizes that speaking with current franchisees provides invaluable insigh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Courtney Stillings discuss the complexities of franchising, focusing on the recent controversies surrounding Dickey's Barbecue. They explore the importance of transparency, the need for thorough research before investing in a franchise, and the critical role of support from franchisors. The conversation highlights the red flags potential fr...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Tom Spadea, Franchise Attorney of Spadea Lignana LLC Episode Summary In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and franchise attorney Tom Spadea delve into the intricacies of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). They explore its critical components, such as litigation history, initial fees, and financ...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Paul Pickett delve into the essential traits that define a successful franchisee. Drawing from decades of experience, Paul shares his expertise on the importance of aligning with a brand's culture, mission, and values. They discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence, team-building, and a growth mindset in achieving long-...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Anneliese Brosch delve into the critical role of franchisee satisfaction in maintaining brand health. They explore how a strong franchisor-franchisee relationship can drive success, emphasizing the importance of trust and open communication. Discover the metrics and insights that help franchise brands thrive, and learn why understanding franchis...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President & COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Ali Kraus, CMO Benetrends Financial Episode Summary: 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 w...

Send us Fan Mail If you're considering buying a franchise, knowing the benefits and drawbacks is important.  Danielle Chaisson, owner of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Dover, NH (called My Handyman), gives her perspective on the pros and cons of franchise ownership. Danielle gives her perspective as a franchisee but also owns her own consulting business, which offers tax preparation, accounting,...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President & COO Franchise Business Review Guest: Marissa Frois, CEO The Entrepreneur's Source Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into the world of franchise business models with Marissa Frois, a seasoned expert from the Entrepreneur Source Organization. Discover the intricacies of franchising, from the partnership dynamics between franchisors...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode, we dive into the world of franchising with Katie Ingalls, a client success manager at Franchise Business Review. Together, we unravel common myths surrounding franchising, exploring whether it's truly an industry or a business model. Discover the economic impact of franchising, the misconceptions about passive income, and the importance of local...

Send us Fan Mail Join Michelle Rowan and Mary Ann O'Connell as they explore the fundamentals of franchising. With over 40 years of experience, Mary Ann shares her journey from being Money Mailer's first franchisee to founding FranWise , a company that helps businesses become franchises. Discover the intricacies of franchise agreements, the role of the FTC, and the differences between fra...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review Guest: Eric Stites, Founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review Episode Summary: The Journey of Starting Franchise Business Review Introduction: Twenty years ago, a light bulb moment sparked the creation of Franchise Business Review. Eric Stites, then working with franchise marketing, noticed a gap in the indust...

Send us Fan Mail From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying. If you're thinking about investing in a franchise - or if you're an entrepreneur looking for your next move, this is the podcast for you. Michelle Rowan, the President and COO of Franchise Business Review hosts this weekly podcast. Franchise Business Review has all the unbiased data on franchises you need. E...