Advertise on podcast: The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

Franchise growth isn’t sustainable if your franchisees don’t trust the people leading it. As a franchise grows, maintaining that trust becomes more complicated. Leaders have to navigate difficult feedback, changing expectations and sometimes major transitions without losing the confidence of the franchise owners they’re asking to grow alongside them. In this episode, Kim Gubera shares how listening to franchisees, following through on promises and consistently communicating have helped strengthen trust across the PIRTEK system. She also takes us behind the scenes of leading franchisees through a major ownership transition, why strong culture matters for sustainable growth and what she believes really makes a successful franchise owner. Kim brings more than 20 years of franchising experience to her role as President and CEO of PIRTEK USA. She joined PIRTEK in 2016 and stepped into the CEO role in 2019. Under her leadership, PIRTEK has grown its unit count by more than 92% in the past five years while building a culture centered on mutual trust and respect.  Connect with Kim:  PIRTEK USA: https://www.pirtekusa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-gubera-12850513/ Resources: A CEO Only Does Three Things by Trey Taylor Episode Highlights: Kim’s path from accounting and finance to franchise CEOThe role mentorship played in her franchise careerLeading a technical franchise without being the technical expertWhat really makes a successful franchise ownerUsing franchisee feedback to strengthen cultureBuilding mutual trust and respect with franchiseesWhy following through on promises mattersMaintaining franchisee confidence through an ownership transitionWhy culture is essential for sustainable franchise growthWomen succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated industry  Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Growth doesn't automatically make a franchise stronger. What you build behind that growth does. After more than two decades in franchising, Meg Roberts has seen what it takes to grow brands at every stage. Today, as CEO of Head to Toe Brands, she leads a multi-brand beauty platform with more than 200 locations. In this episode, Meg shares why strong franchisee relationships, the right support systems, and a team you can trust become even more important as a brand grows. She also gets candid about the realities emerging franchisors often underestimate, from the time and capital required to scale to the increasing demands placed on leadership. Meg also takes us behind the scenes of multi-brand growth and explains why adding brands only works when franchisees can see and feel the value. Sustainable franchise growth isn't just about adding more locations. It's about building an organization that can support them. Connect with Meg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megroberts73/ Email: [email protected] Head to Toes: https://httbrands.com/ Resources: Know Your Value by Mika Brzezinski  How Radical Transparency Turned a Franchise Around w/ Dustin Hansen -  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/16165725-how-radical-transparency-turned-a-franchise-around-w-dustin-hansen Episode Highlights: Building a franchise that gets stronger as it growsWhy people and relationships drive franchise successCreating the right balance between franchisee input and leadershipWhen and how to establish a franchise advisory councilThe realities emerging franchisors often underestimateBuilding a team that can support franchise growthScaling from a single brand to a multi-brand platformDelivering real value as a franchise organization growsLeading with confidence through growth and change Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Growing a franchise quickly is one thing. Leading it through that growth is another.  Doug Flaig knows what rapid franchise growth looks like. As CEO of Stratus Clean, he has helped lead the brand through record-breaking expansion, growing to more than 5,000 unit franchisees and earning recognition as Entrepreneur’s fastest-growing franchise for four consecutive years. But as Doug shares in this episode, scaling a franchise successfully takes much more than selling more units. Doug joins Tracy and Shannon to talk about the franchise leadership behind that growth, from choosing the right franchisees and building scalable systems to strengthening communication and supporting franchisee success. He also shares why great franchise leaders need to lead through influence rather than authority, how Stratus knows when it’s time to tap the brakes on growth, and the lessons more than 30 years in franchising have taught him about building a strong franchise system.  Connect with Doug: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougflaig/ Website: https://www.stratusclean.com/ Resource: Leadership and Self-Deception - The Arbinger Institute Episode Highlights: Leading through rapid franchise growthWhy influence matters in franchise leadershipThe Stratus Clean three-tier franchise modelChoosing the right franchisees for your systemSales training and technology at scaleBuilding systems that support franchise growthCommunication and transparency with franchiseesKnowing when to slow down growthPeer-to-peer learning and franchisee mentorshipThe importance of mentorship in franchising Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

You can have money in the bank and still have no idea whether your franchise is actually profitable. For many franchise owners, financial literacy isn't something they learned before going into business or during onboarding. They may know their revenue, watch their bank balance, and have a bookkeeper handling the numbers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they understand what their P&L is telling them or how to use that information to spot problems early instead of reacting after it's too late.  In this episode, leading financial educator and Certified Franchise Executive, and creator of the Profitability Playbook, Rod Bristol shares what he's learned from decades of helping franchise owners understand the numbers behind their businesses. Rod explains why making money doesn't always mean your business is profitable, the four ways every business can improve profitability, and why understanding concepts like break-even and contribution margin, alongside healthy cash flow management, can completely change the way an owner operates their business. Rod also shares why financial education should begin during franchisee onboarding, what franchisors can learn by looking closely at unit-level profitability, and the simple monthly habit he sees among the most profitable business owners. You'll also hear the story of franchisees who went from struggling with profitability to operating five million-dollar locations, and why Rod believes understanding your numbers gives you the ability to make better decisions, grow intentionally, and build a more valuable business. Connect with Rod: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-bristol-cfe-a72167163/ Text/Call: 206-742-3443 Rod’s Book Recommendations: The Martian by Andy Weir Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Episode Highlights: Why revenue doesn't always equal profitabilityUnderstanding your P&L and financial statementsWhy financial literacy should start during onboardingThe importance of franchisee unit economicsWhen poor profitability signals a broken franchise modelThe four ways to improve profitabilityUsing break-even and contribution margin to make decisionsWhy franchisors need to focus beyond the top lineThe monthly financial habit of profitable ownersMaking proactive decisions before financial problems grow  Resources: Leadership Lessons from Jo Kirchner on Perfection, Progress & Community - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/15909664-leadership-lessons-from-jo-kirchner-on-perfection-progress-and-community Leading with Passion, Purpose & Loyalty w/ Paul Pickett - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/17267486-leading-with-passion-purpose-loyalty-w-paul-pickett          Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

What separates the highest-performing franchisees from everyone else? Barb Moran believes it starts with something many leaders don't measure closely enough: franchisee engagement.  Many franchisors focus on growing their systems, but long-term success depends on something far less obvious: building franchisees who are fully engaged in the business and invested in the success of the entire brand. In this episode, Barb Moran, CEO of Moran Family of Brands, shares why engagement has become one of the strongest predictors of profitability inside her organization and how intentionally building the right culture helps franchisees embrace change, collaborate with one another, and build stronger businesses. Barb also reflects on her journey from being told she would never lead her family's company because she was a woman to ultimately becoming CEO and expanding the business into Canada. Along the way, she shares practical lessons on succession planning, building core values that shape everyday decisions, creating meaningful collaboration between franchisees, and helping owners become active contributors to the success of the entire system. Whether you're launching a franchise brand or leading an established system, this conversation offers practical strategies for building stronger franchise relationships, increasing engagement, and creating sustainable, long-term growth. Connect with Barb: Email: [email protected] Website: https://moranfamilyofbrands.com/ Episode Highlights: Why franchisee engagement drives profitabilityMeasuring franchisee engagement and accountabilityBuilding a franchise culture around the DRIVE core valuesCreating collaboration through peer groups and town hallsGrowing up in the family business and becoming CEOBuying the family business and navigating successionEmbracing AI and technology as opportunities for growthExpanding Moran Family of Brands into CanadaPreserving culture during acquisitions and growthLeadership advice for both franchisors and franchisees Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Every franchisor dreams of selling more territories. Few stop to ask whether they're building a franchise system their franchisees can actually succeed in. Every emerging franchisor wants to grow their brand, expand into new markets, and welcome new franchisees. But growth without the right systems, support, and profitability can create problems that are much harder to fix later. In this episode, Amrit Dhaliwal shares why he's intentionally choosing slower, more sustainable growth while building a rapidly growing home care franchise brand in the UK. After starting as a franchisee with no industry experience, he learned firsthand how mentorship, strong systems, and putting franchisees first can make all the difference. You'll also hear why franchisee profitability should come before franchise growth, how a learner's mindset has shaped his leadership, and why the strongest franchise brands measure success by the impact they create, not simply the number of locations they open. Amrit Dhaliwal is CEO and founder of Walfinch, one of the UK’s fastest-growing home care franchise networks with 30+ territories nationwide. A former franchisee turned franchisor, he’s the author of Time to Thrive: The Home Care Revolution and host of the Walking With Walfinch podcast. Amrit has been named in the Social Care Top 30 and recognised as Emerging Franchisor of the Year. So, if you're ready to build a stronger franchise by putting franchisee success before franchise growth, this episode is for you. Connect with Amrit:  Franchise opportunities: https://walfinchfranchising.com Home care services: https://walfinch.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amrit-dhaliwal-a436445b Episode Highlights: Why franchisee success should come before franchise growthBuilding a sustainable franchise through intentional growthLessons learned from becoming a franchisee with no industry experienceHow mentorship shaped Amrit's leadership journeyMeasuring franchise success by impact, not unit count Why curiosity and continuous learning make better franchise leadersBalancing entrepreneurship, family, and long-term successThe power of putting people before profits Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

What happens when your franchise grows faster than the systems designed to support it? Many brands dream about expansion, but growth creates a new challenge: maintaining the consistency, culture, and customer experience that made people fall in love with the brand in the first place. As locations multiply, leaders must find ways to support franchisees, protect the brand, and adapt to changing customer expectations without losing what made the business successful. In this episode, Goldfish Swim School Chief Marketing Officer Shana Krisan shares what she's learned helping grow the brand from just 12 locations to more than 200 across the United States and Canada. She explains how strong systems, clear brand standards, local marketing support, and franchisee collaboration have helped Goldfish scale while staying true to its mission and customer experience. Shana also opens up about leadership, hiring, authenticity, franchisee relationships, and the mission-driven culture that has helped Goldfish continue to grow while staying true to its purpose. She shares why building the right team is often more important than finding the latest marketing tactic and how strong partnerships, collaboration, and a clear mission have helped the brand scale without losing what makes it special.  Whether you're leading a franchise system, growing a multi-location business, or building a team that can scale with you, this conversation offers practical insights on growing without losing the identity that made your brand successful in the first place.  Connect with Shana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-krisan-cfe-1a20581b/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://goldfishswimschool.com/ Episode Highlights:How Shana found her way into franchising Growing Goldfish Swim School from 12 to 208 locationsMaintaining brand consistency during rapid growthSupporting franchisees through systems and playbooksThe balance between national and local marketingHiring the right people as your organization scalesLearning from franchisee innovationBuilding strong industry relationships and collaboration Leading with authenticity and self-awarenessScaling a brand without losing its identity Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Jennifer Lemcke will tell you that the best thing she ever did before leading a franchise brand was spending a full year working inside one first. Learning every role from the ground up before she ever stepped into leadership is what eventually took her from General Manager of a single Ottawa territory doing $200,000 in system sales to CEO of a $537.3 million brand. In today's episode, we sit down with Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man and Turf Holdings, to talk about what it actually looks like to grow a franchise brand from the inside out. Jennifer started as a manager trainee in 1992, worked every position in the business, and eventually grew the Ottawa territory from $200,000 to $2 million in system sales in five years. From there, she helped launch Weed Man in the United States, and in 2018, acquired the worldwide rights to the brand. Today she's overseeing a $537.3 million system across North America and the UK. If you've been in franchising for any amount of time, you're going to recognize yourself somewhere in this conversation. Jennifer talks about what she learned from working every single job in the business before she ever ran it, how she brought Canadian franchisees on board after an unexpected acquisition announcement, and why relationships are still the most important thing in a franchise system even as technology moves faster than most leaders can plan for. She's also honest about the juggling act of building something this big while raising three kids, and what she'd tell her younger self about grace, guilt, and the things that turned out okay in the end. If you're building something big and trying to figure out how to grow without losing the people and the culture that got you there, this episode is going to hit close to home.  Connect with Jennifer: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlemcke/?originalSubdomain=ca Episode Highlights: Jennifer's origin story and what made her say yes to the family businessWhat she learned from working every role in the business before leading itHow she grew the Ottawa territory from $200K to $2M in system sales in five yearsWhy trusting the process is the first thing she tells every new franchiseeThe moment she knew Weed Man was bigger than one territoryHow she helped launch Weed Man in the US and eventually acquired the worldwide rightsThe technology evolution from 1999 to today and what digital transformation really costsWhy communication is the first thing to slip when leaders are heads down buildingHow she got franchisees to buy in after an unplanned acquisition announcementWhat her team of 20-year loyalists says about the culture she's builtThe juggling act of being a CEO and a mom and why balance isn't the right word for itWhat she'd tell her younger self about grace, guilt, and grown kids who turn out just fine Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Most franchise leaders think franchisees resist the system itself, but the real issue is often a lack of buy-in from the beginning.  In today’s episode, we sit down with Joel Worthington, former president of Mr. Electric, to unpack why franchisee buy-in is one of the hardest things for leaders to create and why communication is often the missing piece. After spending 16 years as a pastor before stepping into franchising, Joel shares how leadership, trust, communication, and curiosity shape the way franchisees respond to change  This conversation goes far beyond communication tactics. Joel breaks down why leaders often move too quickly into problem-solving, how curiosity creates better conversations, and why compliance alone is never enough and why franchisees are far more likely to buy into systems they feel connected to rather than systems they feel forced into. He also shares the GUIDE leadership framework he used while leading more than 200 franchise locations and explains how better communication helped transform culture, trust, and performance across the brand. We also dive into the leadership mistakes that quietly create resistance, why compliance alone is never enough, and how strong franchise systems still fail when leaders don’t know how to create emotional buy-in from their people. So, if you’ve ever wondered why franchisees push back, resist change, or fail to fully engage with the system, this episode will completely change the way you think about leadership in franchising. Connect with Joel: Website: https://www.joelworthington.com/ Episode Highlights: Joel’s transition from pastor to franchise leaderWhy franchising and pastoring are more similar than people thinkThe communication mistakes most leaders makeWhy franchisees resist systems and processesHow to create buy-in instead of complianceJoel’s GUIDE leadership frameworkWhy leaders solve problems too quicklyThe role trust plays in franchise growthHow curiosity changes difficult conversationsWhy leadership development drives long-term growth Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Most franchise brands don’t have a growth problem. They have a disconnect problem. You can have strong marketing, a solid development team, and still struggle to scale if those pieces aren’t working together. And for many franchisors, that misalignment between marketing and franchise development is the exact thing slowing growth without them realizing it.  In this episode, we sit down with Lorne Fisher, founder of Fish Consulting and F2 Advisory, to break down what’s actually behind that disconnect. From starting his agency with no clients to landing Dunkin after months of persistence, Lorne shares how his experience working with some of the most recognizable franchise brands shaped the way he thinks about growth, positioning, and strategy.  We also get into what this looks like in real time. From crisis situations to FDD changes, Lorne explains how breakdowns inside an organization, not external factors, are often what create the biggest problems. He shares why poor communication turns small issues into larger ones and how transparency can either strengthen a system or quietly erode it over time.  So, if your brand isn’t growing the way you expected, this episode will help you see where the disconnect is happening and what needs to change to move forward. Resources: Don’t Let Your FDD Renewal Trigger a Crisis - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dont-let-your-fdd-renewal-trigger-crisis-lorne-fisher-cfe-aedcc/?trackingId=U8mQe2BdSzarEQx8o1X3Cg%3D%3D Connect with Lorne: LinkedIn: @lorne-fisher-cfe Website: https://www.lornefisher.com/ Episode Highlights: How Lorne Fisher built built his agency into one of the leading public relations and marketing agencies serving franchise and multi-location brands The role PR plays in franchise development and lead generationWhy marketing and franchise development are often disconnectedWhat high-growth franchise brands do differentlyThe biggest mistakes franchisors make during times of changeWhy poor communication turns into internal crisesHow to prepare your brand for crisis situations before they happenThe importance of transparency with franchiseesWhat franchisors should consider before making FDD changesHow to approach agency selection and strategic partnership Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

You can have the right systems, the right strategy, and still struggle to grow if your franchisees don’t trust you.  Today on the podcast we have Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review, to share what’s really driving growth behind the scenes of high-performing franchise systems. From building the company as employee number one to analyzing data from thousands of franchisees, Michelle shares what actually separates brands that scale from those that stall. This conversation centers on one critical factor most leaders underestimate: trust. Michelle breaks down why trust is the strongest predictor of franchise growth, how a lack of alignment creates friction across operations and development, and why franchisees ultimately influence whether new deals move forward or fall apart through validation and real-world experience. We also dive into the role of transparency, how feedback should actually be used, and what leaders need to understand about the real experience inside their systems. So, if your franchise isn’t growing the way you expected, this episode will challenge you to look beyond strategy and take a hard look at the trust you’ve built with the people closest to your brand. Connect with Michelle: Franchise Business Review - https://franchisebusinessreview.com/ LinkedIn - @michellemonroerowan Resources: Auspicious Owl Group - https://www.auspiciousowlgroup.com/ Episode Highlights: Why trust is the #1 driver of franchise growthWhat happens when franchisees don’t buy into leadership decisionsThe hidden cost of ignoring franchisee feedbackHow franchisees influence development and deal flowWhy transparency matters more than polished messagingThe shift from command-and-control to collaboration in franchisingHow to use feedback as a roadmap instead of avoiding itWhat strong franchise brands consistently do differently Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Stepping into a company your parents built sounds like a natural transition. It’s not. In this episode, Tracy and Shannon sit down with Anne Huntington Sharma, CEO and President of Huntington Learning Center, to talk about what it actually looks like to lead a nearly 50-year-old franchise brand into its next chapter. From growing up in the business to building experience outside of it, Anne shares what it took to step into leadership, earn credibility, and navigate the reality of leading a system where trust isn’t automatic.  This conversation goes beyond leadership titles. Anne breaks down what it means to act as a steward of a legacy brand while still pushing it forward, from leading through COVID and driving a system-wide shift online to managing large-scale innovation across hundreds of franchise locations. She also shares how Huntington is investing in the future, including building custom curriculum powered by both AI and human expertise, and what it takes to roll out change in a way franchisees will actually adopt. They also get into the parts most people don’t talk about, balancing family dynamics inside a business, making long-term decisions while franchisees are focused on today, and why consistency, communication, and local community presence still matter more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to lead, evolve, and protect a legacy brand at the same time, this episode will give you a much clearer picture. So if you’re building, leading, or stepping into something bigger than you, this is the episode to listen to. Resources: Business conference: https://chiefexecutive.net/ Connect with Anne: Website: https://huntingtonhelps.com/ Franchise Info: https://huntingtonfranchise.com/ Phone: 1-800-CAN-LEARN LinkedIn: @anne-huntington-sharma Episode Highlights: Growing up inside a franchise system and what that actually looks likeThe decision to work outside the family business firstThe moment that led Anne to join Huntington full-timeNavigating leadership as the founder’s daughterLeading through COVID and system-wide changeHow to introduce innovation in a legacy franchise systemThe role of trust, consistency, and communication in leadershipWhy local marketing still drives franchise successBuilding credibility with franchisees over timeWhat franchisees need from leadership today Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

You think franchising is a proven path to success so why do so many people still get it wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Therese Thilgen, co-founder of Franchise Update Media and franchise veteran with 38 years of experience to unpack what actually happens behind the scenes of franchising and why so many people make the same costly mistakes, even when they think they’re doing everything right. Therese shares how she got started in franchising and what it really looked like to build something from the ground up. But what stands out most isn’t just the longevity. It’s the missteps, the trial and error, and the moments where things didn’t work that ultimately shaped how she approaches business today. We also get into her personal experience as a franchisee that didn’t go as planned and how that moment changed how she views research, transparency, and decision-making in franchising. Along with the early challenges of building Franchise Update Media, she shares what went wrong in those early stages and how those experiences forced her to rethink how value is created, communicated, and delivered. If you’re considering franchising, growing a brand, or trying to understand why some businesses scale while others struggle, this conversation will challenge how you think about opportunity, risk, and what it actually takes to get it right. So, if you want a more honest look at franchising and what people are still getting wrong after decades in the industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Connect with Therese: Email - [email protected] Episode Highlights: Starting in franchising with no clear planThe early mistakes that shaped her businessWhat went wrong when launching the first versionLessons from a failed franchise investmentWhy feedback can either break you or build youThe long road to figuring out what actually worksWhat most people underestimate about franchisingWhy experience doesn’t guarantee better decisionsHow the industry has evolved over timeWhat it really takes to build something sustainable Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

What if the biggest thing holding your franchise back isn’t your model but your mindset? In this episode, we sit down with Rob Flanagan, a franchise CEO who’s built brands at the intersection of culture, scale and systems and what he shares might challenge everything you think you know about growth. From selling popcorn in a mall to leading Hounds Town USA, a fast-growing pet care franchise approaching 100 locations, Rob’s journey is anything but typical. What stands out most is not just the growth, but the lessons behind it. Most franchise brands do not fail because of bad ideas. They fail because of avoidable mistakes. In this episode, Rob shares the three biggest mistakes he sees: treating culture like a side project instead of a system, hiring reactively instead of for growth, and choosing franchisees based on experience instead of grit. You will hear the contrast between franchisees who struggled and those who succeeded, and what actually made the difference. We also explore what it really means to scale culture intentionally, why hiring ahead of growth changes everything, and how to carry the responsibility that comes with leading franchisees who are investing so much to build a business. If you are building, scaling or leading a franchise brand, this episode will challenge you to think differently about what actually drives success. Connect with Rob: Website: https://houndstownusa.com/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awesomeflanagan/ Episode Highlights: From popcorn stand to franchise CEOHow franchising found RobThe role of culture in scaling a brandHiring ahead of growth versus hiring reactivelyThe psychology behind great franchiseesLessons from franchisees who succeeded and those who did notBuilding systems that support culture at scale Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]

Franchise growth is not about moving fast. It is about staying disciplined long enough to build something that lasts. In this episode, Tracy and Shannon sit down with Paul Altero, co-founder and longtime CEO of Bubbakoo’s Burritos, to talk about what it really takes to scale a franchise brand over time. Paul shares how his decade at Johnny Rockets shaped his operator mindset, why franchising is truly a long game, and why proving your model before expansion is critical. Paul also opens up about the highs and lows that come with building at scale, including the reality that the third store nearly bankrupted them. He explains how hiring for personality became part of the brand’s service culture, why standardization matters more than speed, and how discipline in operations creates sustainable growth. From expanding thoughtfully to ultimately exiting in 2025 through a partnership with Thompson Street Capital Partners, Paul reflects on what it means to be fully committed as a founder. His message is simple and consistent. Stay the course. Patience and discipline are not optional. They are the foundation behind lasting franchise growth. Connect with Paul: Text: 949-279-2197 Episode Highlights: Paul’s leadership experience at Johnny RocketsThe founding of Bubbkoo’s BurritosWhy franchising requires patience and disciplineThe third store that nearly bankrupted themHiring for personality over speedBuilding systems through standardizationLeveraging technology for growthThe decision to fully exit to Thompson Street Capital PartnersThe “stay the course” philosophy Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - [email protected]