Franchise Empires

It may have started as a joke, but after scaling to over 200+ locations with nearly 3000 employees nationwide, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving is no laughing matter now. From its early beginnings as a college startup to owner and co-founder Nick Friedman’s hard lessons in franchising, the Wolf’s gathering all the details on exactly how the business became one of the largest moving and hauling companies in the United States. Then, Nick gets frank about the eye-opening reality that nothing about franchising is easy and explains exactly how College H.U.N.K.S.’s initial efforts to scale gave them the momentum it needed to hit the $300 million revenue mark. 0:00 Intro/Background 4:25 Scaling and Franchising 13:00 Thing I Wish I Knew 17:15 Long-Term Goals 22:29 Franchising Outlook 27:16 Multi-Location Management 33:00 Growth & Momentum Learn More About College Hunks Hauling Junk: https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com Follow Nick: Website: https://www.nickfriedman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collegehunkshaulingjunk/ Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise. Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com. Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Can you name the ingredients in a McDonalds French fry? We’ll give you a hint— there’s over 15 of them. And if that doesn’t give you pause for thought, we don’t know what will. Meet the franchise creator who doesn’t think fast food should be an excuse to skimp out on health or ethics— and he’s doing everything within his power to build a better fast food system from the top down. Jesse Konig, the co-founder of DC’s best burger joint, Swizzler, and the brainchild behind the French fry brand, Spudz, talks to Wolf about the importance of knowing where your food is coming from, the shaky and fragile nature our own food systems due to centralized corporations and meat manufacturers, and all of dirty secrets behind the beef, potato, and seed oil industries that you’re dying to hear.. Learn how Swizzler and Spudz are going to back to the basics through encouraging local, regenerative farming practices and simple, better ingredients. 0:00:00 Intro/Background 0:25:51 The Food Supplier Chain 0:34:23 Ethical Beef 0:57:57 Creating the Perfect French Fry 1:17:00 Spudz Fries 1:32:00 Contact Us Check Out Swizzler Foods: https://www.swizzlerfoods.com Follow Jesse: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jesse_konig Email: [email protected] Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise. Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com. Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

With over 25 years of experience building brands, Kevin Wilson knows a thing or two about creating franchises that last. Kevin stops by the pod to discuss how his decades’ worth of entrepreneurial experience led him to create the multi-brand franchise empire known as Buzz Franchise Brands. From his early experience scaling his startup services company, Mosquito Joe, to over 290+ locations, Kevin explains how it eventually led him to the home services industry— and why he’s found such great success within that subsect. Kevin also talks with Wolf about why British Swim School grew to become the largest swim school franchise in the nation, along with the origins of his other franchises, including Home Clean Heroes, Grand Illuminations, and Pool Scouts. Plus, find out how Kevin’s chosen to structure his multi-franchise empire and what he credits as the main reason for Buzz Franchise Brand’s phenomenal success. 0:00 Intro/Background 5:30 Marketing Before the Internet 7:19 Moving to South Africa 12:40 Making Money in Airlines 16:00 Mosquito Joe 23:25 British Swim School 32:06 Buzz Franchise Brands 36:17 Grand Illuminations 39:03 Supporting Growth Follow Buzz Franchise Brands: Website: https://buzzfranchisebrands.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz-franchise-brands/ Follow Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwilsonbfb/ Buzz Franchise Brands is a multi-brand franchising company currently operating four service brands: Pool Scouts pool cleaning franchise, Home Clean Heroes residential cleaning franchise, British Swim School swim instruction franchise and Grand Illuminations outdoor lighting franchise. Our mission is to enable people to realize their dreams; we encourage you to learn more about us and our brands at BuzzFranchiseBrands.com. Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Think about it— it’s the weekend, and as much as you want to sit down, relax, and pop open an ice-cold bevvie, you’ve got chores to do. And what’s the one thing you hate doing more than anything? Yep, you guessed it— laundry and the average American spends up to 36 hours a month doing it too. Dan D’Aquisto is the one man trying to change it all through his revolutionary franchise, 2ULaundry, which delivers the world’s first premium laundry/dry-cleaning pickup and delivery service. That’s right; we’re talking fresh-folded clothes conveniently delivered straight to your door. This week, the Wolf sits down with Dan to learn more about how he and his business partner came up with the concept of 2ULaundry, how they managed to raise 2.5 million dollars and scale across 7 major cities, and how their business led them to create a laundromat franchise business of their own, LaundroLab. 0:00 Intro/2ULaundry 4:39 Finding a Co-Founder 8:41 The Journey So Far 25:50 LaundroLab 32:25 2U Laundry vs. LaundroLab 36:50 Future Strategy Learn more about 2ULaundry: https://www.2ulaundry.com Learn more about LaundroLab: https://www.laundrolabfranchise.com Follow Dan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daquisto/ Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

What’s one of the few franchise markets that continues to grow year after year in customer spend? Hint: it’s furry, and it has four legs. Over 90% of people view their pets as family— meet the one franchise looking to make a splash in the pet health and wellness space. Jacob Lee, franchisee to Scenthound, chats with the Wolf about why he chose to pursue the pet grooming business and how Scenthound’s membership-based model is redefining the way we think about the traditional pet grooming payment structure. Then, he and Wolf discuss why franchise location is one of the most critical aspects of franchising and how to narrow down the best sites for your franchise. 0:00 Intro/Background 6:11 Considering Career Paths 10:35 Narrowing Down the Search 15:16 Dogtopia vs. Scent Hound 20:33 Competition 22:48 The Scent Hound Model 29:00 Franchising Lessons Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com. Follow Scenthound: https://franchise.scenthound.com Follow Jacob: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Jacoblee295 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-lee-9803a480/ Email: [email protected] Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Meet the man who knows a thing or two about franchising: Jace Mattinson. Having franchised various brands, including Ace Hardware, Crumbl Cookies, and Big Chicken, Jace’s previous career in private equity was a natural segue into the franchising world. The Wolf sits down to chat with Jace about his early experience franchising with Ace Hardware, as he explains just how different the hardware world is from the fast food industry. How did he know that Crumbl would be more than just another fad dessert chain? What makes him confident in the longevity of the Crumbl brand, and what’s his experience been like partnering with Shaq to open Big Chicken locations across Texas? Then, stay tuned as Jace helps to settle the debate over whether Ace Hardware is a coop of a franchise once and for all. Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. 0:00 Intro/Background 3:00 Getting into Hardware 6:34 The Transition to Crumbl 11:46 The Sustainability of Cookies 17:10 Big Chicken 18:38 Getting Outside of Food 23:46 Franchise Collaboration 26:43 Long-Term Plans 34:16 The Fun in Franchise Follow Jace: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacemattinson/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How does being an area representative differ from being a franchise owner? Everbowl’s area rep, Alex Yeater, chats with the Wolf about the ins and out of working for a franchisor and the life cycle of opening stores as an area rep. He and Wolf also discuss the lessons he’s learned from opening multiple Everbowl locations and how investing in excellent systems and operations is one of the best things you can do to ensure franchise success. Plus, don’t miss out on hearing what working with Drew Brees is actually like! 0:00 Early Beginnings 3:40 Working at VerizonONE 7:37 Defining an Area Representative 12:20 Building vs. Operating 14:56 Lessons Learned 17:49 Exploring Other Opportunities 25:44 Learn More About Everbowl Learn More About Everbowl: https://www.everbowl.com/acai-bowl-franchise https://www.everbowl.com Follow Alex: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexyeater/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeater.alex/ Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do you elevate breakfast food in a novel way that no other franchise is doing? By taking biscuits to a whole ‘nother level. Biscuit Belly is a fast-casual franchise taking the boring out of breakfast and making Instagram-worthy foods all across the Southeast. Owners Chuck Schnatter and Chad Coulter sit down with the Wolf to discuss how they distinguished themselves from franchises like IHOP, Denny’s, and Snooze and what qualities they believe are key to any dining franchise. Plus, find out how they managed to thrive and survive while opening multiple locations during the pandemic! 0:00 Background 3:22 What Makes a Successful Franchise? 7:15 Why Biscuits? 13:00 Making Food Instagrammable 15:00 Franchising Process 24:32 Takeaways 30:00 Future Plans Find out more about Biscuit Belly: https://biscuitbellyfranchise.com https://biscuitbelly.com Follow Chad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-coulter-4663465b Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How did former math teacher turned franchise developer Antonio McBroom open 14 Ben and Jerry’s locations across South Carolina by himself? The answer is equal parts hard work and ingenuity. On this week’s pod, the Wolf finds out how Antonio hustled his way into franchise success by purchasing his own ice cream trailer, opening his stores at 2 am to hungry college kids, and trying just about every other business tactic in between. Antonio also talks about his latest partnership with Starbucks, in which he’s helping to bring the franchise chain to underserved and diverse communities, empowering minority-owned businesses to contribute to the next phase of his business evolution. 0:00 Background 4:06 Franchise Expansion 8:00 The Catering Hustle 10:30 Partnering with Others 14:55 Starbucks Partnership 22:44 Follow Us Follow Antonio: https://www.primopartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-mcbroom-43858017/ Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter and YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How did Philz Coffee grow to become synonymous with fueling the likes of tech giants out of Silicon Valley? Co-founder, Jacob Jaber, explains how the vision of Philz Coffee came to fruition from his father, who simply wanted to create a place where people could hang out and share great drinks together. Now, with over 75+ locations, this growing franchise still relies on one key ingredient: creating a memorable, personalized experience for each of its customers. Jacob and the Wolf chat about its unique barista model and how the most important aspect of any business is to create a product that you really, really love. Then, find out which businesses Jacob prefers to invest in. 0:00 Background 3:40 The Turning Point 6:18 Creating a Community 8:40 Building a Consumer-Facing Brand 15:00 Expansion Plans 17:20 The Phil’s Business Model 28:21 Brand Association 31:40 Building a Brand 37:42 Investing in Consumer Companies 46:08 Follow Us Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. Follow Jacob: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobjaber/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jacobjaber If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

What’s the best way to drive franchise growth in the senior healthcare industry? According to Brightstar Care CEO Shelly Sun, it’s paying the best people the best salary possible, encouraging accreditation across all locations to ensure franchise consistency, and aggressive nationwide marketing tactics. Shelly talks with The Wolf about her top components for a scalable franchise model, the challenges and lessons she’s learned from staying 20% company-owned, and the coming obstacles the home healthcare industry will face as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Shelly's passion for providing quality care and her strategic mindset for driving brand growth make for an inspiring interview you won’t want to miss. 0:00 Intro 4:28 Brightstar Components 10:40 Stepping Stones to Evolution 19:41 National Accounts Program 22:54 Early Lessons 30:03 Not Selling Out 36:20 Aging Baby Boomers 41:58 Contact Us Follow Brightstar Care: https://www.brightstarfranchise.com https://www.brightstarcare.com Follow Shelly: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brightstarshellysun/ Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

What do fitness, skincare and swim schools have in common? Get ready to make a splash with Chris Kenny as he dives into the success of consumer service brands, from Heyday to Orangetheory to Big Blue Swim School. Chris is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Level5 Capital Partners. With over a decade of experience investing and operating in the consumer services sector, Chris has been an instrumental part in making L5 a standout player in the franchise industry. The Wolf and Chris delve into his origins in the business, explore L5’s unique approach to investing in franchises, and talk strategies for accelerating growth and enhancing brand value. And great customer experience starts with great employee experience. Create business success with Harri, the platform to build, manage, engage and retain your team. Care for your people, and they will care for your customers. Visit www.harri.com today Follow Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kenny-09a4271/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do resale employees determine how much that five-year-old Lululemon shirt is actually worth? The Wolf sits down with BaseCamp Franchising owners Zach and Tyler Gordon to discover exactly how Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid streamlined resell value subjectivity and turned it into a finely-tuned, fully systematic, operational process across over 200 different locations. Plus, how are Zach and Tyler inverting the stigma of used clothing and turning it into their personal franchise goldmine in the face of online reselling giants? And why is value one of the biggest motivators of consumer behavior? Tune in to find out! 00:00 Franchising Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate 9:45 Exploring the Tailwinds of the Resale Market 16:14 A New Way to Shop and Sell Clothing 22:08 Operational Challenges in Resale Businesses 35:10 The Future of Thrift Shopping 43:28 Exploring the Benefits of Resale Franchise Ownership 47:09 The Resale Clothing Industry 50:32 Contact Us Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. Follow BaseCamp Franchises: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/basecamp-franchising/ https://kidtokidfranchise.com/ https://uptowncheapskatefranchise.com/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do you create a 1.7 million dollar franchise beast from a small-scale cleaning company? According to Voda Cleaning and Restoration franchise owners Dan Clap and Zach Nolte, the secret to scaling lies in franchising a business that naturally lends itself to marketing multiple services. Dan and Zach chat with the Wolf about how Voda Cleaning and Restoration cornered a large chunk of the home restoration market after discovering that the water damage cleaning business went hand-in-hand with other services like mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and more. Plus, find out why all future franchisers must have a brand playbook, why franchising is a team sport, and why investing in the right technology is crucial if you ever want to scale. Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience using Harri to build, manage, engage, and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. Follow Zach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/znolte/ Visit Voda: https://myvodafranchise.com/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf 0:00 Intro and Background 2:41 The Perfect Franchise Marriage 6:36 Choosing Restoration 10:24 Building a Business 17:54 Technology and Branding are Key 29:01 The Power of Having Systems in Place 37:35 The Hard Data 47:08 Vision for Voda 49:10 Contact Us

How does a single, 17-year-old mother find the motivation to build an 83-territory health and wellness empire? Cynthia May, co-founder of Beem Light Sauna, chats about how becoming a single mother at an early age gave her the strength to find financial stability by taking calculated risks and trusting her gut instincts. Cynthia explains how she went from owning a high-end salon to transitioning to the health and wellness space after her daughter became ill with Lyme Disease. Then, she discusses the importance of mentorship in business partnerships, designing a consumer-first experience for customers, building a lean store infrastructure, and how franchising allowed her to help others at a crossroads in their own careers. Built by hospitality for hospitality. Empower your employee experience by using Harri to build, manage, engage and retain your team. Don’t you think it’s time to utilize a platform designed to elevate your greatest asset— your employees? Visit Harri.com to learn more. Follow Cynthia: On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamay On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplimay/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter. Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Who doesn’t love a cookie, or a pretzel…or ice cream? CJ Adams is the multi-brand franchise owner growing his sweet treat empire. Find out how. CJ is the Owner of Nashville-based Cookies And Cream, the multi-brand franchise of Great American Cookies, Maggie Moo's, Marble Slab Creamery, and Pretzelmaker. The Wolf and CJ get into the logistics of cross training employees to work across all brands, how to find the right opportunities, and why, at the end of the day, CJ’s a cookie guy. And great customer experience starts with great employee experience. Create business success with Harri, the platform to build, manage, engage and retain your team. Care for your people, and they will care for your customers. Visit www.harri.com today Follow CJ: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcjadams/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/seejayadams If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

From pro snowboarder to CEO, find out how Brent Dowling grows promising young franchises - including his own brewery pub brand. Brent is Co-founder and CEO of Raintree, the company packed full of seasoned professionals, dedicated to growing promising young franchises into industry giants. The Wolf and Brent discuss why it was time for Brent to put his money where his mouth is and get in on the franchise ground floor, how the average American feels about franchise ownership, plus how Raintree goes about branding its products. You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod. Follow Brent: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-dowling-/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do you succeed in franchising? Invest in what fascinates you and makes a positive impact. Andrew Garcia is the entrepreneur who hated the 9 to 5 and turned to franchising. He is a partner and co-owner of ServPro, the 24-hour mitigation and restoration service, and partner at Ellie Mental Health, a franchise offering mental health services at the office and at home for individuals, children and families. The Wolf and Andrew get into why creating a legacy for good is a top priority for this entrepreneur, why dealing with insurance companies draws the emotion out of tough situations, and why saying yes to a haulage and junk removal franchise was the risk that kickstarted his franchise career. You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod. Follow Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agarcia87/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How does an art class, enjoyed by Pink and Matthew McConaughey, become a franchise? Maya Ratcliff is the Founder of Hawaii Fluid Art - an accessible art class with incredible results. Celebrities love it, but anyone can join in and create a one-off piece they’ll be proud to display on their wall. From one location in Hawaii, founded during the pandemic, to two more in Dallas and Kansas City, Maya has ambitious plans to open 10 more corporate locations by the end of 2023. The Wolf and Maya discuss the resin layer and techniques that make Hawaii Fluid Art unique, why her absentee business model works so well, and how she negotiated down the price of materials. You’ll also hear how these negotiations mean classes run up to a 95% profit margin for every student who walks through the door. You know how hard it is to hire at scale. That’s why successful franchise owners use Wizehire. Shift to a new way of hiring and learn more at wizehire.com/pod. Follow Maya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-ratcliff-3202941a/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/renohelp If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Meet the founders of Cali Coffee, the franchise not afraid to take on the likes of Starbucks and Dunkin’. Craig Avera and Rose White are the couple behind Cali Coffee, founded in LA in 2018. Currently with three locations up and running, there are five more planned for opening later this year. The Wolf, Craig and Rose dive into why it was the right time to get out of the fitness industry, why they don’t believe in speaker boxes outside their units, and why getting rid of coffee jargon makes their product way more accessible. You’ll also hear why nothing can prepare you for land development in Hollywood and why that experience paved the way for their next franchise openings. Follow Craig: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-avera-a624557b/ Follow Rose: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calicoffee/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How does a side hustle wind up in the Franchise Times top 25 multi-unit operators? By creating a model that can be scaled and repeated endlessly. Al Bhakta is Principal at CMG Companies, working with brands including Taco Bell, KFC, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Genghis Grill, Sonic, and Rent-A-Center - to name a few. With more than 300 restaurants, 90+ retail units and 8 hotels, this group of six founding partners have come a long way since their college days. The Wolf and Al, get into why the basics matter when it comes to creating culture in food outlets, why wearing every hat as an operator gives you the view from the shop floor, and the secret sauce that’s allowed CMG Companies to transform failing franchise units time and time again. Plus you’ll hear the strategy that allows Al and the team to operate successfully across more than 20 states. Description: Follow Al: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albhakta/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

There’s no one way to get into franchising, but plenty of pitfalls. Dru Capenito is the Founder of Franchise Investment Systems, helping potential owners evaluate high-quality non-food franchises. The Wolf and Dru talk through how getting the right foundation in place will stop you making terrible business decisions, why you need a business model that fits your life, and why the world of franchise brokership can be like the Wild, Wild, West. Plus you’ll also hear Dru’s inside track on the info you need to identify a good business opportunity. Follow Dru: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drucarpenito/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

What’s the sweet spot of rapid growth and long-term sustainability? Meet Vanessa Melman Yakobson, the franchise owner with the secret sauce to success. Vanessa is CEO and Partner of Blo, Blow Dry. Bar. This North American franchise has already opened 100 units and is set to open 50 more in the next couple of years. The Wolf and Vanessa get into how growing responsibly means longevity, especially during turbulent economic times, the recipe book that sets franchisees up for success, and how outside backing is helping grow Blo’s sister beauty brands. Follow Vanessa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-melman-yakobson-34b7343/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Physically burnt out in his early 30s, Gregory Breitbart found a solution so effective, he knew he wanted to run it as a business. Greg is CEO of BODY20, the fitness franchise utilizing whole body Electro-muscle stimulation to condense 2 hours in the gym down to 20 minutes. The Wolf and Greg discuss Greg’s enduring business partnership with his father, how a ‘weekend warrior’ lifestyle caused more problems than it solved, and Greg’s ambitious plans to have at least 100 BODY20 franchises open by the end of 2023. Follow Gregory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbreitbart/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregbreitbart If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do you take an established pet franchise and move it to the next level? CEO Bob Crawford reveals the secret sauce to how he’s scaling Central Bark. Central Bark is the daycare facility that specializes in science-backed enrichment and socialization for your best friend. This 25-year-old franchise has 35 locations in 12 states and ambitious plans for growth. The Wolf and Bob discuss why franchise founders need a partner who’s philosophically and professionally aligned to their growth goals, why Bob believes there’s plenty of the pet franchise business to go around, and how he plans to introduce a multi-unit focus with operators. Follow Bob: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwcrawford3/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

The secret ingredient to creating your own cookie franchise? People. Adam August opens the playbook to his fast-growing cookie empire. Adam is the Co-founder of Blueprint Cookies, the business he set up with Nick Hicks in 2019. The company has grown from one to three stores in three years and has ambitious plans to scale. The Wolf and Adam get into why investing in your employees is the best choice you’ll make, how Adam gets shit done, and some expert advice for anyone looking to start a franchise. Follow Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamaugust/ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

With almost two decades together as franchise partners, Joshua Coba and Douglas Payne know franchising inside and out. They join The Wolf to talk about owning more than 1,000 European Wax Center units, why the start of a business is the most exciting moment, and how they’ve carved out a niche in a traditionally overcrowded franchising industry. Follow Douglas: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/douglas-payne-b15959114 If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Welcome to season 4 of Franchise Empires. Meet the owner of 29 Wingstops and 79 Little Caesars, following in the family footsteps. Shalin Patel is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Vibe Restaurants, who opened their first restaurant back in 2005. It has since grown to become one of the largest franchisees of Little Caesars and now operates across 11 states. The Wolf and Shalin sit down to talk about the need to scale and not just ‘buy your own job’, why goal setting can and should change, and some of Shalin’s personal and professional highlights as a franchise owner. You’ll also hear how Shalin got into franchising, inspired by his dad’s career. Follow Shalin: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shalin-patel-42a6431a7 If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Jamie Weeks loves life, he also loves business. Being a franchisor has allowed him to have it all and he’s ready to share how. He is Executive Chairman and Founder of Honors Holdings, the largest franchisee for OrangeTheory Fitness studios across the globe, Executive Chairman and Founder of Legacy Franchise Concepts, a Dogtopia Franchisee and Franchisor for SweatHouz Infrared Sauna Studios. The Wolf and Jamie get into why he was the perfect age to get into franchising, why he works for his team (not the other way around), and why it’s harder to scale from 3 to 12, than 12 to 48. Follow Jamie: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamie-weeks-712543221 If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Ben Eberdt is the successful musician turned franchise owner. He and dad, Jess, are taking over the dog daycare space. Find out how. GoDog is the daycare and boarding service that offers pet parents state-of-the-art, fun and hygienic care for their family members. The Wolf gets into conversation with Co-founder and President Ben, who talks about treating your band like a business, embedding customers into the GoDog ecosystem, and why finding the right investment partners is well worth holding out for. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Greg Flynn didn’t follow in the footsteps of his Stanford classmates. But with approx. 2,400 Applebee’s, Taco Bells, Paneras, Arby’s, Pizza Huts and Wendy’s - he’s done ok. The Wolf gets into conversation with the largest franchisee operator in the world. Greg Flynn is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group and Flynn Properties, generating $4 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people across 44 states. In this very special episode Greg shares why he’ll always be a restaurant operator first, how to run a truly collaborative business, and why the franchising business model allows you to focus on the things that really matter. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

When you’re leaving the most important member of your family at daycare, you need to know it’s safe, fun and stimulating. Shaina Denny’s Dogdrop franchise is all this and more. Dogdrop is the dog day care service founded in LA and which has grown to three units. With the health and happiness of each dog at its core, dog parents can be sure they’re leaving their pets in the best possible care. The Wolf and Shaina talk about how living in China lit an entrepreneurial spark, how solving her own dog care problems led to Dogdrop, and the business model that makes most sense to her unique franchise. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Shaina: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shainadenny Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

When you’re franchise investors and operators, you’re writing the playbook as you go. Join The Wolf as he talks to two of the best: Scott Thompson, CDO and MD and Dennis Campbell, VP of Franchise Development, both at Level 5 Capital Partners. They get into why buying into the mission is key to scaling, the balance between too many heads and meeting development timescales, and growing a brand for independent success. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Dennis: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denniswcampbell Follow Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-thompson-618a91/ Twitter:https://twitter.com/smthompson1979 Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

With a lifelong passion for nutrition and food, founding her own gourmet empire was always on the cards. Find out how Brianna found her feet in catering and created Toastique. Toastique is the gourmet toast and juice franchise, offering healthy, responsibly sourced food all day long. The Wolf and Brianna talk decision-making at the 11th hour, working with friends and family, and expanding the Toastique brand across the US. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Brianna: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianna-keefe-4a735087 Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

When Hank’s son described his dad’s job as ‘driving the car’ Hank knew it was time to come out of retirement. Now he’s building a STEAM education empire with Steamoji. Having already built and sold two businesses, Hank turned his entrepreneurial skills to solving the problem of STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math) educational provision. The Wolf and Hank dive into why STEAM subjects should be a national priority, how to develop growth mindsets in children, and why in-person training centers are the point of differentiation for Steamoji. You’ll also hear Hank reveal his revenue-building tactics for franchise success. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Hank: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hankhorkoff Twitter: https://twitter.com/hankfdh Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 01:21 Hank’s Aha Moment 04:02 Bridging The Gap 05:00 Nurturing Interest 07:32 How To Prepare The Future Makers 09:42 Building a Growth Mindset 15:33 The Point of Differentiation 17:27 Calling In The Experts 20:07 Why STEAM Is A National Priority 24:24 Hank’s Secret Sauce For Success

Brian Scudamore is the CEO behind O2E, the banner company for heavyweight brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Shack Shine. Not bad for a boy who didn’t graduate high school. Now he’s the founder of a customer service empire worth hundreds of millions and loving every moment of it. The Wolf and Brian get into Brian’s secret sauce, AKA the beer and barbecue test, why watching people grow brings him such joy, and his books aimed at helping potential franchise owners buy and scale a business. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Brian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scudamore Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianScudamore Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Brittany Driscoll is the marketing exec turned entrepreneur. After getting a taste of working in a fast-growing franchise, she knew she wanted in. Find out how she built her own franchise. The Wolf and Brittany get into conversation about her experience working at beauty franchise, Drybar, which has more than 200 locations across the country. Brittany shares how she and the Drybar founders built Squeeze Massage together and how this franchise is disrupting the industry with its innovative approach, providing a premium experience at an affordable rate and integrating tech through their end-to-end platform. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Brittany: Twitter: https://twitter.com/britdrisc Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Crumbl Cookies is the brand that swept the nation. Meet Jason, the unstoppable CEO and Co-founder. Jason founded Crumbl Cookies in 2017 with business partner, Sawyer Hemsley. Since then more than 600 stores are now operating across 48 states, employing over 26,000 people. The Wolf and Jason get into how and he and Sawyer came up with the concept, leveraging a gap in the market, how cutting edge technology is part of the Crumbl brand, and Jason’s thoughts on whether a cookie franchise can really conquer the globe. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Jason: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmcgowan Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonmcgowan Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, the media company working with creators to bring you great podcasts. Find out more: www.workweek.com

When you’ve got 14-hour long queues out the door, you’re doing something right. But how does a small burger franchise create super fans? Join The Wolf for this commentary episode where he deep dives into how a small fast food chain can create the kind of obsessive fan base larger brands can only dream of. You’ll hear In N Out Burger’s back story, what stands them apart from other burger joints, and why the family owners value traditional values over rapid growth. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Adam Geisler and John Erlandson love sport, but they also love how sports influence children’s lives for the better. That’s why they own 4 sports franchises. Youth Athletes United is the umbrella platform for Adam and John’s 4 franchise brands : Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, TGA, and Little Rookies. The Wolf, Adam and John talk through how a passion for sports can’t be taught, but business can, how they went into partnership after working together in the boxing industry, and why more than 1 million kids are impacted by their brands every year. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Adam: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697 Follow John: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-erlandson-62409b4 Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Scott Marr is behind Koala Insulation, a franchise brand on the rise. But it’s not his first business success story. Discover how Scott built his highly successful empire. Mobile businesses are Scott’s area of expertise. Before founding Koala Insulation, he created First Clean USA, acquired by a private equity firm in 2018. The Wolf and Scott discuss the process of selling 350+ Koala territories, and what it takes to convert a small business into a successful franchise. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Scott: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/scmarr Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

How do you grow your franchise business profitably? In this Twitter Spaces, 3 multi-unit franchise owners share the secrets to their success. The Wolf is joined by Zac Pennington, owner of 8 Anytime Fitness locations, Brian Beers, owner of 30 Midas units, and Lucas Mitchell, owner of 13 Five Guys locations. All offering different services or products, but all following the same growth strategies. You’ll hear insider tips on choosing the right territories, building versus buying a store, and how to scale quickly. The panel then gets into questions thrown to them from listeners, including the one thing they wish they’d known before getting into franchising. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Zac: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacari-pennington Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacpennington Follow Brian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-t-beers Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbeers Follow Lucas: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lmitchellhq Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

The inventor of the chicken sandwich has humble beginnings. Discover how Chick-Fil-A became a nation’s favorite, despite never opening on Sundays. In this 10-minute run through, The Wolf breaks down the restaurant’s humble beginnings, how a chance opportunity to buy up cheap chicken turned into a money spinning idea, and how founder S. Truett Cathy developed the 2-part franchise strategy that dominated the company’s growth for decades. No one knows franchising like The Wolf and his unique takes and thoughtful analysis make this a not-to-be-missed episode. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

From a commodities trader to licensee of 14 Zaxby’s units. How did Ben Little do it? He just said ‘yes’. From helping to run 8 units with his father and his business partner, Ben has grown their empire to 14 units, including the no. 1 and no. 3 best performing stores in the country. But he had to start at the bottom. The Wolf and Ben get straight into it, discussing how Ben had to learn the brand by working on the shop floor, how a long-term mindset helps grow business, and the best real estate strategy to employ. You’ll also hear Ben’s thoughtful takes on incentivizing employees and his plans for the future. And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Text WOLF to 55123 to get started. If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Ben: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ben-little-46204923 Twitter: twitter.com/TRUmav Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Stephen and Henry have been in business together for more than 15 years. Now the owners of 7 franchise units, they’re solving the problem of finding qualified employees. Find out how. From backgrounds in corporate America these entrepreneurs now have 5 Massage Envy units and 2 Amazing Lash units in their portfolio. The Wolf gets into the weeds of financing franchises, getting out of sales, and how Henry and Stephen are solving the recruitment problem by opening their own massage therapist school. You’ll also hear how their partnership works so well and why they believe everything in life is networks and relationships. And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started! If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Stephen: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/stephen-vereb-1758bb Follow Henry: Instagram: @henry_h_kim01 Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Dr Grace Huxtable-Mount is a force. She’s also the owner of 5 The Learning Experience franchises, and looking to expand. Tune in for Grace’s extraordinary franchise journey. The Wolf and Grace get straight into Grace’s story, from the Bahamas, via Japan, to US citizenship in 2001. Since then she’s opened up 5 The Learning Experience units, a childcare and early education franchise. You’ll hear Grace’s takes on why education franchises have such high profit margins, how being a franchise owner offers more freedom than you might think, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your landlord to buy their real estate. You’ll also hear why Grace received The Learning Experience Chairman’s Award For Excellence, and how she plans to continue scaling her empire throughout Florida. And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started! If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Grace: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grace-huxtable-mount-phd-71581813 Instagram: instagram.com/drhuxtable_mount/ Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Jared Taylor owns 6 Amazing Athletes franchises. Find out how this former collegiate baseball player found his way into franchise ownership via Real Estate. The Wolf and Jared get into why the recession forced Jared to make a decision about his future, why making a positive impact on kids was a real draw to the Amazing Athletes franchise, and why following your passion is always a good thing. You’ll also hear why Jared believes there’s a correlation between owners who think in the long-term and owners who prioritize their employees’ well-being, and why optimizing for community impact over profits can still lead to a ton of financial success. And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started! If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

When McDonald’s CEO Ray Kroc arrived in Tokyo three days before the grand opening of their first international franchise in Japan, he was shocked to see that construction had not yet begun on the restaurant. Enter Japanese businessman Den Fujita. After buying the rights to bring McDonald’s to the Land of the Rising Sun, and with no existing blueprint for international success with McDonald’s, Den had to invent the playbook for Japan. Join The Wolf for the incredible story of how Den was able to construct and open the first international McDonald’s within 36 hours, then go on to become the third largest international stage for the McDonald’s franchise. And If you work in franchises, your most precious resource is time. BELAY exists to help you regain control of your time and your focus. They will match you with highly-qualified US-based virtual assistant, accounting, social media, and website contractors. In fact, only about 3% of those who apply to support roles with BELAY are actually accepted. Click here to get started! And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

How does a fintech professional end up owning multiple pizza units? Having a soft spot for the brand definitely helps. Meet Shwetabh Gautam, the NYC-based pro who took a risk on franchise ownership with four friends he grew up with, and who now own 6 Donatos Pizza units in Cleveland. The Wolf and Shwetabh get into why loving the brand played a big part in jumping on board, how they were offered five more locations even as they built their initial three, and why Donatos sits at the intersection of family pizzeria and massive franchise. You’ll also hear how to effectively manage your local teams remotely and why incentivizing success is a key management tool. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Shwetabh: Twitter: @therealshwetabh Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

Mike’s franchise journey is a fascinating one. Find out why he left his corporate 9-5 to open multiple Sylvan Learning Center locations, via Chick-a-Fil and senior care. When corporate life is sucking your soul away, it’s time for a change. Now a franchise owner of 10 Sylvan Learning units, Mike shares his story. The Wolf and Mike dive right into how he left his job to work in the family jewelry business, why he turned down a Chick-a-Fil franchise, and how he ran two brands before optimizing for Sylvan Learning. You’ll also hear why being a franchise owner plays into Mike’s ambitions of working less, earning more, and why he values a hierarchical structure. And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much! Follow Mike: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-kelley-b84a55132 Check out The Wolf’s newsletter Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com