.jpg)
Franchise Today
About
Available on
Community
430 episodes
John Smolen, Senior Vice President of Global Distribution Sales at Atmosphere TV, joins us today to discuss the streaming platform’s benefits for franchises and businesses, like restaurants, bars, grills, taverns, and gyms.Atmosphere TV is known for replacing daytime TV in public spaces with engaging short-form content across 40+ channels and is recognized for its rapid growth and impact on customer engagement and incresed unit-level sales. Smolen, with a background transitioning from psychology to sales, outlines Atmosphere’s ad-supported revenue model that provides free, family-friendly programming, along with marketing tools enabling franchisors and franchisees, to manage content across various locations. The service’s ability to target specific audiences based on venue type enhances its value as an advertising platform, offering flexibility and affordability with no minimum investment constraints. The episode also touches upon the broader digital landscape, noting the scrutiny of foreign-owned social media platforms like TikTok by bi-partisan entities, underlining the importance of oversight in the digital content sphere.
In September, 2019, Ace Hardware successfully expanded its business by acquiring Handyman Matters and rebranding it as Ace Handyman Services, with a refreshed business strategy focused on expanding home improvement services. Under the leadership of Andy Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and CEO of the rebranded entity, Ace Handyman Services has capitalized on the surge in home services since the pandemic and increased sales, in large part, due to the rebranding and commitment by Ace, of new resources. Since then, the company has experienced significant growth in franchise territories too and is ambitiously aiming to extend its reach to 1,000 territories over the next few years, while prioritizing responsible and sustainable expansion through well-considered franchising practices. Colette Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and Vice President of Franchising for Ace Handyman Services Franchising, is here to tell us all about it.
In September, 2019, Ace Hardware successfully expanded its business by acquiring Handyman Matters and rebranding it as Ace Handyman Services, with a refreshed business strategy focused on expanding home improvement services. Under the leadership of Andy Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and CEO of the rebranded entity, Ace Handyman Services has capitalized on the surge in home services since the pandemic and increased sales, in large part, due to the rebranding and commitment by Ace, of new resources. Since then, the company has experienced significant growth in franchise territories too and is ambitiously aiming to extend its reach to 1,000 territories over the next few years, while prioritizing responsible and sustainable expansion through well-considered franchising practices. Colette Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and Vice President of Franchising for Ace Handyman Services Franchising, is here to tell us all about it.
John Francis, a franchise expert, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience, shares his deep understanding of the franchising world. Born into a franchise family, he was a franchisee and franchisor multiple times. His parents pioneered the franchise model in the hair salon industry, creating a global empire. John's diverse background includes working in various franchise brands, consulting, and serving on boards. He talks about his journey in franchising, from working in his family’s business to consulting and advising franchise brands. John also discusses his involvement with Zor Forum, a mastermind group for franchisors, and reflects on the industry's future, emphasizing that franchising remains a successful model when executed properly. Additionally, he highlights his personal life, celebrating 25 years of marriage and his two daughters, and introduces Fathers Eve, a holiday he created for dads. John is open for contact and collaboration, offering his wealth of experience to help others in the franchising field. John Francis, a franchise expert, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience, shares his deep understanding of the franchising world. Born into a franchise family, he was a franchisee and franchisor multiple times. His parents pioneered the franchise model in the hair salon industry, creating a global empire. John's diverse background includes working in various franchise brands, consulting, and serving on boards. He talks about his journey in franchising, from working in his family’s business to consulting and advising franchise brands. John also discusses his involvement with Zor Forum, a mastermind group for franchisors, and reflects on the industry's future, emphasizing that franchising remains a successful model when executed properly.
This week Alia Alston, founder of Icebox Cryotherapy Studios, shares her personal journey and business insights on Franchise Today. A car accident and childbirth complications led her to discover the pain-relieving benefits of cryotherapy, prompting her to open the first retail cryotherapy studio in the United States. Despite her lack of experience in owning a retail store, her background in product development, retail marketing, and real estate, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, drove her to pursue this venture. Fast forward the tape and her wildly successful first studio in ATL, has beocme the first of 20, as she is successfully franchising the brand and changing lives for both clients and franchisees, as the business successfully scales. . . . Initially targeting professional athletes in Atlanta, Icebox quickly attracted a broader clientele seeking natural anti-inflammatory solutions and chronic pain relief. Alia’s vision for Icebox was to create a scalable and simple model for services that could be easily replicated by franchisees, inspired by the success of brands like SoulCycle. Despite initial hesitations, she decided to franchise Icebox, which proved successful even through the challenges posed by the 2020 pandemic, thanks to the dedication of franchisees and a focus on strategic growth. In running the franchise, Alia emphasizes the importance of passionate franchisees who are also disciplined, meticulous in client experiences, and involved in daily operations. The discussion extends to the critical role of the right team management and the excitement surrounding the partnership with Impact Brands for scaling the business. Finally, Alia' reflects on her drive to balance work and family life, aspiring to be a role model for working moms and leave a legacy for her children.
Last week in Phoenix, I invited attendees from various facets of the franchising community to share the impact IFA has had on their careers. Collectively, I am calling this the Many Voices of IFA and presenting it as this week's episode of Franchise Today. Seasoned industry professionals like Frank Fiume, Nick Friedman, Rocco Fiorentino, and others spoke to the value of the relationships, mentorship, community, and access that IFA facilitates within the industry. Key figures such as Omar Soliman, John Francis, Terry Braun, Dave McDougall, Scott Perry, and Ron Bender emphasized the organization’s role in providing educational resources, protecting the franchise model, and supporting “smart growth,” including the encouragement of veteran participation through the IFA’s Vet Fran program. The significance of the IFA was further underscored by contributions from Ralph Yarusso, who expressed his passion for giving back after 20 years of involvement, and Josh Wall, who noted the importance of learning from industry leaders’ mistakes. Mike Kelly valued the networking opportunities and client connections made possible by the IFA, while newcomer Michael Friedman, son of yours truly, brings his decade of software sales experience with him, into the FRM business. Enthusiasm for the IFA was also echoed by Ron Feldman, Aslam Khan, David Kurkjian and Marty Welch, who collectively praised the association for its role in fostering knowledge exchange, support, and insight-sharing among franchising professionals. The IFA was celebrated as a platform that not only enables connections with seasoned experts but also welcomes voices from emerging franchise businesses.
Doug Willmarth shares his career journey from being a navy pilot to finding his passion in marketing and the restaurant business, leading to various roles including chief marketing officer at Wingstop and President at Mooyah Burgers, Fries, and Shakes. With experience in brand management at companies like Kraft Foods and PepsiCo, Willmarth transitioned into franchising, gaining a deeper appreciation for its impact while at Wingstop. He later worked with Rave Cinemas and Pizza Hut before joining Mooyah, where he learned the intricacies of running a smaller company, preparing him for executive leadership. At Mooyah, Willmarth focuses on high-quality food, particularly burgers, fries, and shakes, adopting a specialization strategy akin to successful brands like Chipotle and Chick Fil A. He emphasizes the use of certified Angus beef and the importance of streamlined operations for consistent service across franchises. Despite challenges during the COVID pandemic, Mooyah thrived due to a robust digital and delivery infrastructure, without losing any franchisees, and even fostered stronger collaboration between franchisor and franchisees. Wilmarth discusses the success of franchisees from other brands like Freddy’s and McDonald’s, noting the trend towards multi-unit operations and the goal to open 16 to 18 new locations annually, eventually reaching 25 to 30. He acknowledges current labor market challenges post-COVID, such as cost and labor inflation, underscoring the need for flexibility and support for franchisees and the importance of employee development in the hospitality industry. As president of Mooyah, Willmarth encourages those interested in franchising opportunities to reach out for more information and expresses eagerness to share the brand’s delicious offerings over lunch, highlighting the rewarding potential of making a difference in communities through franchising.
This week on Franchise Today, Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA). offered a deep dive into various critical topics, notably the eagerly anticipated IFA Convention set to take place in less than two weeks in Phoenix. Haller shared insights into the convention, which aims to "franchise smarter" by fostering responsible business practices and enhancing the franchising community, attracting nearly 4,000 participants, including the celebrated Coach Prime. Haller, emphasized the industry's collaborative spirit and the vital role of sharing experiences to forge long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. He highlighted the IFA's role in setting realistic expectations, promoting trust, particularly among suppliers seeking immediate returns, and navigating the evolving franchising landscape. This includes adapting to the influx of external capital and its effects on operations, exemplified by successful franchises like Neighborly and School of Rock. The conversation also touched on significant challenges facing the franchise industry, such as joint employer issues and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) review of franchising regulations. Haller urged for active participation in the Franchise Action Network to address these concerns. The upcoming convention will feature Sen.Joe Manchin as a keynote speaker, recognizing his support for small businesses and bipartisan legislative efforts. Additionally, the event will celebrate various speakers and award winners, and offer over 70 breakout sessions covering a wide range of business topics, including multiunit franchising and team building.
Heather Anderson shares her journey from working at a digital marketing agency to becoming Vice President of Marketing and Operations at The Little Gym, and then transitioning to a VP role at Eulerity, a supplier of efficient marketing platforms. She underscores the importance of adaptability in franchising and marketing, especially during the pandemic, and stresses the need for brand consistency and creating a passionate customer base. Heather highlights the blurred lines between marketing and IT, the necessity of data management, and privacy concerns. Discussing her move to Eulerity, Heather explains how the company’s AI-powered digital marketing platform helps businesses manage their digital presence and streamline operations, improving agility and reducing the need for outsourcing. Eulerity enhances strategic focus while optimizing media spend through machine learning, benefiting brands with multiple locations. The rapid evolution of technology and consumer behavior, the importance of AI in marketing, and the challenges of brand clustering by private equity are also addressed. Heather talks too, about the consolidation of family-run businesses and the need to maintain their original culture and vision after acquisition. She emphasizes listening to franchisees and merging different business cultures. Finally, Heather touches on her involvement with the International Franchise Association and the Women’s Franchise Network, and the origin of Eulerity’s name, inspired by mathematician Leonard Euler, reflecting the company’s goal to simplify complexity. The conversation ends with a nod to future discussions with Heather to further explore her insights.
Meet Dave Mortensen, the visionary co-founder and president of Self Esteem Brands, who along with partner and co-founder Chuck Runyon, have taken the franchise world by storm with the renowned Anytime Fitness brand, now over 5,500 locations strong, across 41 countries! From being inspired by the structure of companies like Pizza Hut and McDonalds, to creating a global fitness phenomenon, Dave’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. He and Chuck transformed a college dropout story into a consulting firm, and then into a franchising legacy! Even in the face of adversity, like the sudden pivot during the COVID-19, Anytime Fitness demonstrated unmatched resilience, transitioning from celebrating major achievements to navigating a world in lockdown - and emerged stronger! Commitment runs deep, literally under the skin, with customers inking their allegiance at the brand’s very own tattoo parlor. With a diverse portfolio that includes Waxing the City, Basecamp Fitness, and The Bar Method, the focus remains on global expansion, now with more locations opening internationally than domestically. Pioneering the digital transformation of fitness, Anytime Fitness integrates cutting-edge Apple Fitness Plus content into their app, offering digital gym access and solidifying their bond with consumers. Dave celebrates the spirit of franchising and service-oriented brands, emphasizing the importance of listening to franchisees. With AI-driven personalization, the brand aims to revolutionize member motivation and health improvement. As for community impact, Dave is actively educating policymakers on the value of franchising and supporting both franchisees and franchisors. In a heartfelt conclusion, Dave encourages following your passions and is generously offering personal insights to those interested in the franchise industry.
As we enter 2024 franchising as a business model is navigating a complex landscape of challenges, including new legislation that affects their operations and various factors that influence business decision-making. The labor market has experienced significant shifts as the result of the pandemic, with many companies turning to technological automation to adapt, especially in the restaurant space. This trend towards technology-driven operations is part of a broader movement involving brand consolidation and evolving franchising strategies. Amidst all of these developments, my conversation today with iconic franchise finance expert and IFA Government Affairs Advocate, Ron Feldman highlights the ongoing issues faced by franchising, but concludes with the expectation that franchisor valuations will remain stable, nonetheless. . Ron Feldman, this week on Franchise Today.
Jason Feifer in the Editor in Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine. Like most of us in the franchise world, Jason never anticipated that small businesses of any kind would become a cornerstone of his career, much less those in franchising. As a journalist, he wrote for various newspapers and magazines, with no particular attachment to the content. That all changed when he landed at Entrepreneur in 2015 and started meeting and writing about Entrepreneurs. Inspired in part by Author, Speaker, Podcaster Malcolm Gladwell, these days Jason is doing more than just writing about Entrepreneurs. He is speaking, coaching, consulting and himself, living the dream. This month Entrepreneur celebrates the release of it's 45th Annual Franchise 500. Jason and I spend a fair amount of time discussing that, as well.
With more than 30 years in the franchise space that includes 20 years leading Fran Dev at Home Franchise Concepts, JT opened doors and created opportunities for thousands of those who aspire to own their own business. Helping people make their dreams of business ownership a reality with low-cost, home-based franchise opportunities in the home services industry is his passion. At HFC, their elite portfolio of brands;includes segment leaders Budget Blinds®, Tailored Living®, Kitchen Tune-Up, Bath Tune-Up, AdvantaClean, Two Maids & A Mop, and Concrete Craft®; offers aspiring business owners a uniquely comprehensive and professional support program that provides every opportunity for success. Through thoughtful analysis and inspiring leadership, his team at Home Franchise Concepts works with and empowers the next generation of men, women, couples, veterans, seniors, and others to control their own lives through successful business ownership. He joined Home Franchise Concepts in 2003 as a Franchise Licensing Advisor and have worked his way to Chief Development Officer, where he's responsible for strategic planning, direction, and franchise growth of HFC’s 10 brands. While at HFC, he's championed the expansion of their footprint to include more than 2,400 franchise territories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. JT was also actively involved in three acquisitions and two exit events during his time at HFC. Overall, his award-winning team of professional Franchise Advisors and he have awarded over two thousand franchise territories to deserving candidates.
Stefan Figley is President of 1-800-PACKOUTS. Since 2013, 1-800-Packouts has been shaping the contents restoration industry. Their story begins with a desire to create a consistent and professional process across the nation in the personal property space. Their greatest strength is their people, from the corporate team to their franchise owners. 1-800-Packouts employs some of the most experienced professional in contents restoration. They offer unparalleled professionalism, quality of work, and efficiency during all parts of the process. Stefan Figley, their President is a Global Strategic Marketing and Operations Executive, a Growth Driver and Results Oriented Leader bringing strategic vision, focused on key metrics that drive increased EBITDA performance. Stefan leads organizational change, enhancing brand strength through innovative marketing solutions and products, stimulating dynamic marketing performance and multimillion-dollar revenue growth. He is a business leader, a team builder, and a motivational leader who encourages his teams to realize the big picture impact of building market share growth for the organization. Stefan is a holistic thinker who delivers results. A tennis All-American and tour professional, he developed a keen ability early on, to handle high-pressure situations and manage for success.
This week we hear from Babz and Michael Barnett, a husband and wife franchisor team at the head of the table at Romp & Roll. Romp n' Roll is a young childhood enrichment exercise, education, STEAM and STEM concept, with an AMAZING story and it's co-founders are here to tell it. . It’s not every day that a US emerging franchisor in the early stages of growth and development domestically, winds up selling a complete country out to a Master, who actually collaboratively with the franchisor, awards hundreds of units in their country, especially, when the country is China, before the US franchisor, even hits a dozen units sold domestically. It’s one of those stories that you just can’t make up, but it’s true and you are going to hear all right now, from Babz and Michael Barnett.
Ron Bender is an experienced Franchise Professional, dedicated to helping people improve their lives through franchise ownership with transparency and positivity in all aspects . He believes that enthusiastic networking, a strong social media presence, dynamic presentations and internal and external team building and mentoring help achieve top results, and he has a hard-won reputation for over delivering on expectations, in everything he does. Ron is very active in promoting franchising for veterans and members of diverse communities, and he loves to learn from and to mentor others in the Franchise Community. He does so today, as VP of Franchising at Threshold Brands, a highly curated collection of home services providers. Their mission is simple, to open the door to a better lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to repair, maintain or enhance your home or property, or, to own a business that helps people do just that. Their family of brands is environmentally conscious, franchisee and consumer-friendly and places a people and relationships first, in all of the above.”
With nearly 10 years of experience in franchising, Ashly Loza brings both breadth and depth of knowledge as an experienced franchise executive. She has worked alongside 50+ franchise brands in a broad spectrum of areas including franchise sales, developing and implementing marketing and lead gen strategies, and driving operational excellence and efficiencies. Her approach to business development and scalability starts by honoring the client brand’s growth phase and goals, while identifying challenges and capitalizing on strengths. This enables the Blue Maven Team to craft an actionable plan and vision, that creates forward momentum and a competitive edge, for the sustainable growth of their clients. She’s here right now, to tell us her story and it’s another one that will inspire.
This week you are going to have the pleasure of hearing from another very affable and capable franchise executive, as my guest today is Stacey Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at The School of Rock, one of my favorite franchised brands. As their website describes them, "The School of Rock is a trailblazing global children’s franchise concept, that has over 2 decades, established locations in 15 countries across the globe. Now, with more than 338 locations globally, they are also the largest music school franchise in the United States, helping aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity and develop tools they need to thrive in life. They do it all, with their patented, performance-based curriculum, improving people’s lives with the power of Rock n' Roll. Stacey joined School of Rock as an Independent Consultant in 2015, and worked her way up the ropes to VP of Operations, and ultimately COO. Stacey oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of School of Rock worldwide. As you will hear, after graduating from Rutgers University, she was set on becoming an elementary school teacher, but that was before she got bitten, by the "bug for business," and all bets were off. Her reputation is for redefining quality, raising standards, being people first, and driving results in everything she does. She’s here this week, to tell us all about it.
This is a very special Edition of Franchise Today, in celebration of Veterans Day, coming up Saturday November 11th 2023, at 11AM. Celebrations and parades will be kicking off across America in honor of all those who have served in our Nation ‘s Armed Forces. To help us better understand the close ties and connections between veterans and franchising, we are joined today by my good friend and IFA VetFran Chairman, Ralph Yarusso. Ralph is the Chairman of IFA’s VetFran Committee. His franchise career spans almost 40 years of experience, holding executive-level positions with multiple brands. But all of that came after first spending many years as a very successful multi-unit franchisee, with as many as 15 locations under his ownership in multiple cities. Ralph is a United States Air Force Veteran, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and a Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC). No matter the role, zee or zor, Ralph Yarusso is passionate about helping others succeed in franchising and has always been happy to lend a hand to mentor others. He currently serves as Chairman of the VetFran committee for the IFA and here he is to tell us all about it.
Paul Damico grew up on Long Island, in New York. He holds 3 degrees in culinary and restaurant management including a Doctorate of Business Administration in Restaurant, Food, and Beverage Management from Johnson and Wales University. Paul began the first 14 years of his career working for the Host Marriott organization, working on travel plazas and airport development, before getting into the more traditional side of the restaurant business many years later. He has had a spectacular career leading up to his most recent assignment, but as he will explain, it hasn’t all been roses. But in his present role as President of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, this 3X Undercover Boss is all fired up fired up and excited to take this emerging brand nationwide.
Tarji Carter has been in franchise development for many years. Beginning with Carvel and Cinnabon at Focus Brands, and stops along the way at Dunkin Donuts, WIngstop and Bojangles. Today, she is the President of Guest First Services, a boutique consultancy and the Founder and President of The Franchise Player, a revolutionary initiative that aims to expand the number of Black-owned franchises across the country, by providing education, resources, and opportunities to aspiring franchisees and small business owners. She operates out of suburban Atlanta, developing and executing strategic franchise expansion plans and lead-generation tactics for her brand partners. On her Guest First Services website she says, "If You Don’t Build Your Dreams, Someone Will Hire You to Build Theirs!" Well, in Tarji's case, she's got the best of both worlds. She has built her dream of owning her own business AND her clients hire her to help them build theirs. Well, how's that for win/win?
Some have suggested that Floor Coverings International is to the flooring industry what Amazon is to retail.” My guest today, Floor Coverings International President and CEO Tom Wood says, “This business model is only becoming more and more relevant. Homeowners are looking for convenience and value, and they reward us for delivering it. Our ability to disrupt the flooring industry by bringing the flooring directly to the customer is exactly why our franchise will continue to grow over the coming years. Tom Wood joined Floor Coverings International in 2005 after previously serving three years as a Vice President of it's parent company FirstService Brands,overseeing the strategy and operational direction of several brands within their franchising portfolio. Tom actually initially joined FSB as a franchisee in 1985 and had worked in a few of its sister companies, including: College Pro Painters as both a franchisee and as an executive at CertaPro Painters as Vice President and part of the founding team. This week, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my friend, Tom Wood, President and CEO of Floor Coverings International.
Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, with over 100 locations operating in 41 States. Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, and much more. Leading the charge, Bio One President Danessa Itaya is no stranger to franchise leadership in the service brand space. In fact, she brings 30 years of experience in the franchise industry, 10 of which were spent in national and international leadership roles, growing what are now household brand names, like: Molly Maid, Maid Right, and Property Management Inc., (PMI). Danessa also serves on the IFA’s Women in Franchising Committee and was named one of Entrepreneur’s Top Influential Women in Franchising in 2022. With her lead by example style, she’s excited to embrace the culture of ‘Help First’ and continue making a difference in the lives of others. Danessa Itaya, this week on Franchise Today.
This week I feature another in my series of Rising Stars in Franchising. In fact, this week’s Rising Star also checks the box for amazing women in franchising as well..My guest is Julie Cartwright, a truly inspiring, emerging franchisor, who is making all the right moves to assure sustainable growth through sensible franchising. Julie is the President of an impressive, emerging brand called Pvolve. In 2017 Julie’s partner, Rachel Katzman went searching for solutions to feeling broken from high-intensity workouts, which when mingled with her chronic scoliosis pain, caused her to search for a better way to get the results she wanted in terms of sculpting her body, minus the aches and pains and broken body that comes along with high intensity workouts. So, with that as her motivation, Rachel sought some seed capital to create a new modality that they’ve now dubbed, “functional fitness.” That investor, a successful serial entrepreneur in his own right, also just happens to double as Rachel’s dad. With his investment and belief in the concept, these founders put together a Clinical Advisory Board, a team of expert trainers, obtained patent on some amazing and unique equipment, and with an equally impressive team of franchise professional to guide them, these women are now disrupting the fitness industry, offering P-Volve franchises, which includes a hybrid of streaming and in-studio experiences for their members to benefit from, getting the look they want, minus the drain of high intensity workouts. P-Volve has literally put to rest the old adage of “no pain, no gain” and replaced that notion with low-impact, big results fitness, enabling one to still break a sweat, but not break one’s body. This brand has captured the interest of early investors, includinging Jennifer Anniston, a Pvolve member and subsequent investor.
This week I feature another in my series of Rising Stars in Franchising. In fact, this week’s Rising Star also checks the box for amazing women in franchising as well..My guest is Julie Cartwright, a truly inspiring, emerging franchisor, who is making all the right moves to assure sustainable growth through sensible franchising. Julie is the President of an impressive, emerging brand called Pvolve. In 2017 Julie’s partner, Rachel Katzman went searching for solutions to feeling broken from high-intensity workouts, which when mingled with her chronic scoliosis pain, caused her to search for a better way to get the results she wanted in terms of sculpting her body, minus the aches and pains and broken body that comes along with high intensity workouts. So, with that as her motivation, Rachel sought some seed capital to create a new modality that they’ve now dubbed, “functional fitness.” That investor, a successful serial entrepreneur in his own right, also just happens to double as Rachel’s dad. With his investment and belief in the concept, these founders put together a Clinical Advisory Board, a team of expert trainers, obtained patent on some amazing and unique equipment, and with an equally impressive team of franchise professional to guide them, these women are now disrupting the fitness industry, offering P-Volve franchises, which includes a hybrid of streaming and in-studio experiences for their members to benefit from, getting the look they want, minus the drain of high intensity workouts. P-Volve has literally put to rest the old adage of “no pain, no gain” and replaced that notion with low-impact, big results fitness, enabling one to still break a sweat, but not break one’s body. This brand has captured the interest of early investors, includinging Jennifer Anniston, a Pvolve member and subsequent investor.
This week I’m joined again, by industry veteran Greg Longe, CEO at Phoenix Franchise Brands, the franchisors of Fetch Pet Care, Door Renew, Spray Foam Genie and Furry Land, Mobile Grooming. In our first installment, we talked about his storied franchise career and how that's led to the creation of Phoenix Franchise Brands. This week, we discuss the road aheadd and how their mission is to, “Help those with entrepreneurial spirits create a legacy for themselves, their families, and the communities that they serve.” They do so living and breathing the following five core values: Honesty, Character, Courage, Inclusivity and Integrity. As you’ll hear yet again, Greg is rich in experience and collectively, his team is changing lives, one business at a time, across their ever-expanding portfolio of brands, with a combined 130+ years of franchising experience. Greg Longe, with a look ahead, this week on Franchise Today.
Frank Fiume is a pioneer in the youth sports industry and the founder of i9 Sports—the nation’s first and leading franchisor of youth leagues and camps. Since 2003, i9 has generated over 300 million dollars—with more than two million participants in 900 communities across 30 states nationwide. A baseball fanatic and native of Queens, New York, Frank graduated from St. John’s University and began a career as a medical equipment sales rep, though he was determined to pursue his life’s true purpose. So in l995, he created his own adult men’s softball league, ABA Sports. The start-up company quickly grew to over 900 teams in just six years, making it the largest adult sports organization on Long Island. In 2003, Frank sold ABA in order to create i9 Sports, a business that catapulted him to national recognition and that Entrepreneur magazine ranked as the #1 children’s fitness franchising. Frank has been featured on Fox Business News, HBO Real Sports, and in dozens of publications and national news media outlets, including USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2017 Frank sold i9 Sports to a private equity firm, but like any founder still feels a great affinity for the brand and is passionate about helping other emerging franchisors find their way as they take their similar journeys.
This week I’m joined by industry veteran Greg Longe, CEO at Phoenix Franchise Brands, the franchisors of Fetch Pet Care, Door Renew, Spray Foam Genie and Furry Land, Mobile Grooming. Their mission at Phoenix, is to, “Help those with entrepreneurial spirits create a legacy for themselves, their families, and the communities that they serve.” They do so living and breathing the following five core values: Honesty, Character, Courage, Inclusivity and Integrity. As you’ll hear Greg is rich in experience and collectively, his team is changing lives, one business at a time, across their ever-expanding portfolio of brands, with a combined 130+ years of franchising experience. Greg Longe, this week on Franchise Today.
Brad Hillier, CEO of Re-Bath, who has successfully prioritized strategies to energize frontline workers and generate impressive results.Brad emphasizes that while digital technologies are essential, authentic human connection and 'real' experiences play a crucial role in making brands great. He has identified several best practices that have proven effective in energizing frontline workers: Cultivate a Culture of Appreciation: Recognize and appreciate frontline workers for their invaluable contributions. Implementi employee recognition programs, foster a culture of appreciation, and celebrate individual and team achievements, organizations can boost morale, job satisfaction, and overall productivity.Empower with Autonomy: Grant autonomy and decision-making power to frontline workers enabling them to take ownership of their work and make meaningful contributions. Allow employees to leverage their firsthand knowledge and expertise, fostering innovation, problem-solving capabilities, and increasing engagement.Prioritize Ongoing Training & Development: Understand that continuous learning and growth opportunities are essential for keeping frontline workers motivated and engaged. Invest in robust training programs, skill development initiatives, and career advancement pathways helps boost morale and empowers frontline teams.Enhance Communication Channels: Transparent and effective communication is vital for any successful organization. Brad encourages establishing open lines of communication with frontline workers, actively seeking their input, ideas, and feedback. Regularly updating employees on company news, providing clear direction, and creating platforms for meaningful dialogue contribute to a collaborative and engaged workforce.
Huey Magoo’s was founded in 2004 by Matt Armstrong and Thad Hudgens, two southern boys with a passion for quality chicken and a penchant for serving others. Now, Andy Howard and other former executives from one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing franchise chains, Wingstop, have partnered with the founders, bringing a shared passion and laser-like focus for the perfect chicken tender, crafted into everything that Huey Magoo’s offers today. Their leadership team includes other notables of Wing Stop fame, including Wes Jablonski, Mike Sutter, Matt Poleos, and Bill Knight.This week,Huey Magoo's President and CEO Andy Howard serves it all up, on Franchise Today.
