The Franchise Scale Up Show with Guy Coffey

I just walked out of my first in-person board meeting inside a private equity office, and I learned three things that completely reshaped how I view PE, reporting, and what “standards” really mean. If you’re an emerging franchise founder heading toward scale — or preparing for private equity someday — these lessons will help you walk into those rooms smarter, clearer, and more confident. Key Takea...

If you want to scale smarter, avoid expensive mistakes, and build a franchise system you're proud of—book the call now. Spots fill quickly. https://guycoffey.com -------- In this franchise leadership episode of The Franchise Scale Up Show , Guy Coffey interviews Dave Mortensen, Co-Founder of Anytime Fitness, to uncover how he scaled a fitness franchise into one of the most successful global b...

In this solo episode, I unpack what I learned at the Emerging Brand Founders Mastermind, hosted by REMAX founder Dave Liniger and Adam Contos, former CEO of REMAX. Spending time in that room with nine emerging brand founders reminded me of five essential leadership truths that every entrepreneur—especially those scaling through franchising—needs to remember. From learning how kindness drives cultu...

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Lund, a business coach and hiring strategist who’s helped hundreds of companies simplify growth by mastering their hiring systems. We talk about why so many founders struggle to build great teams, how “unicorn hunting” kills momentum, and the proven process that makes hiring faster, smarter, and less emotional. Justin shares his step-by-step framework for bu...

Every entrepreneur has chapters—moments that define where they are, what they’ve learned, and where they’re going next. In this solo episode, I talk about the importance of recognizing your current chapter in both business and life. Whether you’re launching your first location or preparing for an exit, knowing where you are helps you see what’s possible next. I share personal stories from my own j...

Before you grow your franchise, make sure your legal foundation is built to last. Because one wrong move in compliance could cost you more than a lawsuit—it could cost you your entire brand. In the first episode of a special franchise law series , host Guy Coffey kicks things off with Kevin Hein, co-chair of the Franchise and Licensing sector team at Akerman Law Firm — one of the top franchise law...

Most founders wait until they’re “big enough” to create systems, host conferences, or formalize franchise agreements—but that’s the wrong move. In this solo episode, I share how acting big early helps you simplify operations, strengthen culture, and increase long-term brand value. I’ll walk through the real lessons I learned while building Frenchies, from hosting a three-unit franchise conference...

What does it take to scale a brand from one location to hundreds without losing control? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Dudan, founder of AdvantaClean and CEO of Homefront Brands, to talk about focus, leverage, and the mindset behind sustainable growth. Jeff shares how he went from running a small painting business to franchising a national restoration brand — eventually refranchising all c...

Franchising isn’t about selling units as fast as you can. It’s about choosing the right people, building the right systems, and creating a culture where franchisees thrive. In this episode, I sit down with Amrit Dhaliwal, founder of Walfinch, a home healthcare franchise in the UK that’s grown 50% year-over-year since 2019. Key Takeaways: Why franchisee selection is more important than rapid sales...

Franchising looks glamorous from the outside: collect fees, sell territories, and let others do the work. But if that’s your mindset, you’ll burn cash and burn your brand to the ground. In this episode, I walk you through the five truths of franchising that every founder must understand before they scale. From systems and relationships to leadership and capital, this is the reality check that sepa...

Franchising can multiply your brand—but only if you’re truly ready. Move too soon, and you’ll burn equity, fail franchisees, and risk collapse. In this episode, I share the five critical questions every founder must answer before franchising their business. From testing your concept in multiple markets, to ensuring strong unit economics, to preparing yourself for the franchisor role—these question...

The toughest leap in franchising isn’t starting—it’s scaling from 10 to 100 units. That’s where most founders stall out, not because their concept is weak, but because chaos takes over. I’m Guy Coffey—franchisor, franchisee, and growth strategist. I know what it takes to scale without selling out, burning out, or losing control. In Season 3 of The Franchise Scale Up Podcast , I’m sharing the playb...

Digital marketing isn’t just about pretty websites or SEO campaigns. It’s about protecting the foundation of your business—your domains, logins, hosting, brand files, and the digital assets most entrepreneurs never think about until it’s too late. In this episode, I talk with Paige Wiese of Tree Ring Digital about how to build digital systems that protect your business as you grow, scale, or prepa...

If you’re still avoiding video because you think it’s complicated, expensive, or “not for you,” this conversation will change your mind. Jimi Gibson from Thrive Agency has been in marketing for over 20 years, and he’s watched video go from big-budget productions to a daily must-have for every local business owner. We break down why video is no longer optional, what’s changed in consumer behavior,...

In this episode, I sit down with Mariyam Shamshidova from Wefranch to talk about how data, technology, and human connection are reshaping the way people get into franchising. From parsing FDDs to creating curated pitch nights across the country, Wefranch is building a platform that helps franchisors and franchisees find the right fit—because this is a long-term relationship, and getting it wrong i...

In this episode I sit down with special guest Tariq Johnson of Franchise Empire. Tariq transitioned from a struggling entrepreneur to a successful franchise consultant and YouTube personality with over 42,000 subscribers. We discuss the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of personal development and branding, and the critical role of perseverance in business success.  Tariq highligh...

In this episode I take a deep dive into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) with expert Landon Eckles.  Landon shares his journey from founding the successful Clean Juice franchise to becoming an EOS implementer.  We discuss how EOS transformed their businesses by creating effective structures and improving efficiency. Landon covers the implementation process, the ideal time for businesses...

In this episode I sit down with Hardick Chodavadia, a successful business owner in the dental field with seven offices in Austin and one in McKinney, Texas.  This conversation dives into the importance of leadership, the role of coaching and mentoring in a business setting, and the growth of Hardik's dental practices, Enamel Dentistry, from their humble beginnings in 2016.  The episode also t...

In this episode I chat with Katie Gillberg, founder and CEO of Hydrate IV Bar, a wellness spa specializing in IV therapy and NAD Vitamin Injections.  Katie shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting her business in Denver in 2016, expanding to multiple locations, and becoming a franchisor.  We discuss the challenges and successes of franchising, the importance of maintaining high standards and c...

In this episode I welcome Boris Katsnelson of Black Iron Advisors to discuss the intricacies of financing, M&A transactions, and raising capital for small businesses, particularly in the franchise space.  Boris shares his extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, and franchising, offering insights into the different stages of financing from angel investors to private equity. ...

In this episode I interview Daniel Feltman, co-founder of The Garage Floor Company. Daniel shares his journey from a state trooper to a successful entrepreneur in the franchise space.  We discuss the inception and growth of his company, the importance of extensive training for franchisees, and the operational aspects of running a garage floor business.  The episode also touches on the significance...

In this episode I speak to Jennifer Ramos, a business broker and certified exit planning advisor based in California, about the key factors that make a business sellable. We discuss clean financial records, minimizing personal expenses through the business, semi-absentee ownership, customer and employee satisfaction, and diversifying revenue sources.  Jennifer emphasizes the importance of having a...

In this episode of Conversations with Coffey, I sit down with Ford Saeks, a serial entrepreneur and expert in business acceleration. With over 17 companies under his belt, Ford shares his journey from starting a business at 15 to helping organizations grow through speaking, consulting, and digital marketing.  We discuss the importance of clearly communicating value propositions, using AI and other...

In this episode of Conversations with Coffey, I'm joined by the incredible Angela Cote, founder and CEO of AC Inc.  Angela offers key advice for both emerging franchisors and seasoned entrepreneurs. Angela shares her fascinating journey, from growing up in the family-owned M&M Meat Shops franchise, navigating the challenges and becoming a successful multi-unit franchisee and starting her...

This is a short episode that suggests keeping in touch with people. Loose ties are where your fortune could be made, and you can serve others.   Connect with Guy Coffey: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/guycoffey Website: www.guycoffey.com Instagram: @guycoffey YouTube: @guycoffey