Win Big at Franchising Podcast | The Internicola Law Firm

The question isn't CAN you franchise your business, almost anything can be franchised. The question is SHOULD you. Too many founders enter the franchise world with the legal documents done and the operations manual finished but unprepared for what comes next. Two or three years later they're struggling with franchise sales, or they've sold to franchisees who weren't the right fit....

Franchise growth doesn’t stall at interest. It stalls at funding. Many brands generate leads and interest from qualified candidates, but deals break down when financing becomes unclear, inconsistent, or unavailable. And in today’s environment, buyers are moving faster and expecting more transparency around what it actually takes to get started. In this session, Charles Internicola and Nick Powills...

Most franchise systems have training manuals, onboarding programs, videos, and operational resources. So why do so many still struggle with inconsistent execution, employee turnover, poor customer experiences, and franchisees operating differently from one location to the next? In this episode, Charles Internicola and Nick Powills sit down with Doug Mark and Cassandra Mark of LearningZen to discus...

Why do some franchisees dramatically outperform others inside the exact same franchise system? In this episode, Nick Powills and Charles Internicola break down one of the most misunderstood topics in franchising: how environment, territory, brand strength, operations, and franchisee execution shape long-term franchise performance. The conversation explores why high-performing franchisees often bur...

AI is changing franchise growth, franchise sales, and franchise discovery. In this episode, Nick Powills and Charles Internicola break down why distribution is becoming the biggest competitive advantage in franchising, and how brands can build visibility in an AI-driven world. Topics include:• AISEO and franchise visibility• franchise website strategy• franchise content and social media• franchise...

Why do franchise systems stall, struggle, or completely break as they grow? In this episode, we sit down with Gretchen Johnson to unpack one of the most important topics in franchising: operational breakdown inside growing franchise systems. As franchise brands scale, complexity increases:• Communication gaps emerge• Leadership becomes decentralized• Training consistency weakens• Operational stand...

Virginia has fundamentally changed franchising. Under the amended Virginia Retail Franchising Act, post-termination and post-expiration non-compete provisions in franchise agreements are now prohibited for Virginia franchisees. But the impact goes beyond non-competes. In this episode, we discuss:• How the new law affects franchise systems• Why settlement agreements are now impacted• The nullificat...

Expanding a franchise brand beyond the U.S. sounds simple — but most franchisors get it wrong. In this episode, we sit down with Frank Robinson to break down what actually drives successful franchise growth, especially when expanding between the United States and Canada. We cover the real-world challenges brands face when entering new markets — and the costly mistakes that stall growth. In this co...

AI is already reshaping how franchise brands are discovered, evaluated, and selected. The problem? Most franchise systems are not showing up at all. In this session, we break down why franchise brands are becoming invisible in AI-driven search and what you need to do now to stay relevant as platforms like ChatGPT and AI-powered search engines replace traditional discovery channels. You’ll learn: W...

Franchising is supposed to create growth but many brands plateau shortly after launching. In this episode, we unpack the structural issues that cause franchise systems to stall, from weak unit economics to misaligned franchisees and underinvestment in support. You’ll learn: How to evaluate if your model is truly scalable Why franchisee performance matters more than franchise sales The difference b...

Many entrepreneurs think franchising success comes from selling more franchises . But the real drivers of franchise growth are unit economics, franchisee profitability, and long-term royalty streams . In this episode, Charles Internicola sits down with Chris Myers of Franchise Department to break down the financial realities of building a successful franchise system. They discuss why many emerging...

In this episode of the Win Big Podcast , Charles Internicola sits down with Doug Mark, founder of LearningZen, to explore one of the most overlooked keys to franchise growth: scalable, consistent training. Doug shares how LearningZen helps emerging and growing franchise brands develop training systems that align with their mission, reduce operational headaches, and drive franchisee success from da...

In this episode of the Win Big Podcast , Charles Internicola speaks with Amy Leclerc, Co-Owner and President of Franchising at Sit Still Kids — the modern, elevated kids’ hair salon franchise that’s disrupting an underserved category. Amy shares her journey from helping scale Barre3 to 150+ locations to now leading Sit Still Kids’ expansion to 25 locations across 14 states, 78 territories sold, an...

What does it take to build a franchise brand rooted in values, resilience, and customer care? Studio Kiku founder Billy DeCola shares his journey from reality TV on NY Ink to launching a values-driven laser tattoo removal franchise in Canada. From overcoming setbacks in Japan’s business world to creating a thriving, customer-first brand philosophy, Billy explains how franchisors can:✅ Define and...

Franchise territory mapping can make or break the growth of your franchise brand. In this video, Charles Internicola sits down with Tracey Matchett, former sales director at Gbbis, to talk about the best practices for creating franchise territory maps that drive sales, protect franchisees, and set up your brand for long-term success. You’ll learn:- What a franchise territory is (and how it works u...

Every successful franchise brand needs more than a mission — it needs a clear purpose and a strong franchise model. In this episode of Win Big at Franchising , franchise attorney Charles Internicola talks with Nichole Daher, CEO and Founder of Success on the Spectrum , about how she identified a critical need in autism services, built a thriving business, and is now scaling an inspiring franchise...

Hammer & Nails CEO Aaron Meyers shares how his team transformed an underdeveloped idea into a national men’s grooming franchise with over 60 locations and why getting the foundation right made all the difference. Aaron dives into what it takes to build a thriving franchise system that actually supports franchisees, creates powerful customer experiences, and breaks outdated norms in the self-ca...

Want to scale fast in competitive industries? Bennett Maxwell, franchisor of  @dirtydough  , shares his expert insights on how to achieve rapid growth and success in even the most crowded markets. In this interview, Maxwell talks about how he scaled a single cookie shop into a 100+ unit franchise in under 2 years even while battling lawsuits, market saturation, and fierce competition. After buying...

If you're a franchisor aiming for strong unit economics and profitable franchisees, it's time to rethink your data strategy. In this episode, Charles Internicola sits down with Brad Adams from Qvinci Software (  @QvinciSoftwareAustin  ) to discuss one of the most overlooked growth drivers: collecting and using standardized financial data across your system.🔍 What You’ll Learn:- Why most franchiso...

Discover the keys to franchise growth with Cody Pepper, CEO of Fast Fresh Brands, as he shares expert insights on scaling franchise systems with intention. In this exclusive interview, Cody breaks down his simple yet powerful three-step framework for growth, how to improve unit economics, and why evaluating KPIs is essential for long-term success in franchising. From overcoming challenges like the...

How do you turn a successful restaurant into a tech-powered franchise brand that thrives? In this episode of Win Big at Franchising, we sit down with Carl Comeaux, founder of Crust Pizza, to explore the real journey of scaling a restaurant into a franchise brand that works. One of the biggest realizations in franchising?💡 You have to grow together with your franchisees and build something valuabl...

Growing a franchise system in retail isn't easy — especially one that redefines an entire category. In this episode, Charles N. Internicola speaks with Michele Henry, Founder & CEO of Face Foundrié, a rapidly growing skincare franchise on a mission to make high-quality, accessible aesthetic services available across the country. Michele shares how she scaled from one idea to over 55 franch...

“Find a brand where you love the reality, not just the idea.” That’s one of the biggest lessons for emerging franchisors and it’s exactly what Marina Mentzel, founder of urSwim, is doing. In this episode, Charles N. Internicola speaks with Marina about the real journey of building a franchise system, not just launching one. From her shift from attorney to entrepreneur, to navigating the ups and do...

Retail isn’t dead — it’s being reimagined. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Jacobson, CEO and franchisor of French Florist, to talk about the surprising resurgence of retail franchises — and how his brand is shaking up one of the most antiquated industries: floral retail. Under Michael’s leadership, French Florist has transformed from a struggling business into the largest flower shop in...

Are you managing your franchise sales process the right way? In this episode, Charles N. Internicola is joined by Lisa Linkowsky of Milestone Franchising ( @MilestoneFranchising  ) a trusted franchise advisor who works with individuals buying a franchise and emerging startup franchisors. We dive into what it really means to franchise your business successfully — from showing your proven model and...