Franchise Empires

How do you launch your own franchise empire from scratch? Meet Matt Stapleford, the entrepreneur one year into building his niche business with Go Mini Storage. The Wolf and Matt get straight into it, discussing how his background as a numbers guy persuaded him towards franchise ownership, why he loves the autonomy and freedom franchises offer, and his ambitious plans to expand across Pittsburgh. You’ll also hear why getting the right franchise is essential, how to crunch the numbers for due diligence, and why Matt’s priority is always family first. 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 Matt: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-stapleford-831688ba 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

Why does a Wall Street professional switch to Wingstop franchise ownership? Michael Horowitz explains how he made the crossover and why it’s the best move he ever made. The Wolf gets straight into it with Michael, who in his quest to become a franchise owner, researched and spoke to every big name, every fast food franchise brand in the industry. He finally settled on Wingstop and is now the owner of 20 units. You’ll hear Michael’s opinions on traditional business routes versus franchises, how to get a shot at buying into a big brand, and how to evaluate your business model. 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 Michael: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mahorowitz Twitter: twitter.com/mahorowitz 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

David Weis has made one mistake in his franchise journey. He won’t make it again. Find out how the Mayweather Boxing franchise has found its place in LA. After working in the fitness industry for decades as a trainer, David launched his own chain of gyms in the Boston area. Beacon Hill Athletic Club is still hugely successful and David has turned his attention to a franchise with a powerful boxing name attached. Daniel and David launch straight into how David missed out on an Orange Theory franchise opportunity, but jumped straight in as the first owner of Mayweather Boxing in 2018. You’ll hear why boxing training is the workout with long-term stayability, the power of a name, and how customer service is the biggest differentiator. David also shares his plans to build 5 other sites in Los Angeles and his ambitions to expand into Boston, Tokyo, and Tel-Aviv. 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 David: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-ilan-weis-a5009062 The Wolf is a friend of Workweek, working together to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com 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 Speers are natural entrepreneurs. From owning an auto-motive business to homeschooling, this power couple knows the value of franchising a great education product. After watching one of their daughters struggle to get to grips with mathematics, James and Jennifer Speer sought help with the Mathnasium teaching method. Impressed with the product, they created the first Mathnasium Learning Center franchise in 2011. And they haven’t looked back. The Wolf gets into conversation with Jennifer and James, talking about how they’ve expanded to 10 locations around Texas, why you should burn your ships and go all in, and why buying is easier when you get your first location right. You’ll also hear why you should get to know your business inside and out and how that makes buying easier than building. 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 James: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-speer-78432955 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

Brian Beers is the Swiss Army Knife of franchisees. From buying to scaling and selling, he pulls no punches. And as the owner of 29 Midas locations, Brian knows entrepreneurship inside and out. When the family business is franchises, you know you’re in the hands of an industry expert. Brian’s family founded Midas, the auto repair franchise, in 1976. Now Brian runs multiple units, all within an hour of Philadelphia. The Wolf and Brian dive right into how Brian leverages owner finance to buy locations, why a profit first approach should be every business owner’s priority, and how to identify a franchise system that has plenty of acquisition opportunity. You’ll also hear how the Baby Boomer generation plays a role in Brian’s acquisition strategy and his ambitious goals for the future. 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 Brian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-t-beers Twitter: twitter.com/brianbeers 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

Erik Van Horn has owned 6 franchise brands, built 43 locations and made some great sales. Now he works 3 days a week on things he loves. Find out his secret on this season premier. As a veteran in the world of franchising, Erik knows how important it is to prioritize your time on things you enjoy doing, even more than making money. But he’s done both and is ready to share the secret sauce. The Wolf dives into conversation with Erik about the process of building multiple Liberty Tax franchises across Austin, how he built, grew and sold Sola Salon studios in California, and why 15-20 hours a week is the work/life balance he loves. You’ll also hear how Erik got into business through a gardening job and the realities of being a multi-brand owner. 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 Erik: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evanhorn Check out Erik's podcast, community, and more here: https://www.franchisesecrets.com 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

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already building out your franchise empire, finding the information you need can be tough. There’s plenty out there but so often it’s opaque and hard to access. You already know the smart money lies in franchises, you just need to cut through the noise and get the inside scoop on how to choose, own and scale your business. I’m The Wolf, and this is season 2 of Franchise Empires. Whether you’re an aspiring owner or have one or two businesses to your name, you’ll get insight into raising capital, and hot takes on how to choose a business that resonates with your values and goals. Last season I unlocked the playbooks of franchisees from killer brands like Orange Theory, Five Guys, and Dunkin’ Donuts, and this season’s line up is equally as stellar. Every episode you can expect thoughtful takeaways from a successful franchise builder with practical insights like why you don’t need a ton of investment to get started, the secrets to running 100 stores, and why you don’t need to quit your day job straight away. Owning a franchise might not be the most obvious path to entrepreneurship, but if you’re looking to build sustainable wealth using tried and tested models, your journey starts here. With season 2 dropping on June 21, and new shows every Tuesday, tune in for everything you need to build your franchise empire. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Military veteran Betsy Erb has a vision. And she’s not going to stop until she’s built her pet franchise empire. How is she going about it? By leveraging an established franchise brand, Dog Training Elite, to boost a newer opportunity: PetWellClinic. The Wolf talks to Betsy about how PetWellClinic is solving a massive pain point for the owners of animals in need of urgent care, her short and long term plays, and how she and husband Ed are horizontally integrating in the pet industry. You’ll also hear how Betsy plans to leverage the two brands, what it’s like taking on a multi-unit deal, and her vision as an entrepreneur. Multi-units, multi-franchises - this is a business strategy you’ll want to take note of. Follow Betsy on Instagram:@dogtrainingeliteselouisiana 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

Early on in his banking career, David Schuck realized he really needed to be his own boss. He picked up a low cost franchise and hasn’t looked back. If you’re unwilling to give up the day job straight away, owning a seasonal franchise like Liberty Tax that’s really only on during tax season, is the way to start. The Wolf and David get into how he picked up his first low cost unit, how he eventually went all in on franchise ownership, and how he scaled by acquiring other franchisee’s businesses. You’ll hear how he still owns 12 Liberty Tax franchises to this day, using them as a stepping stone to open 27 Club Pilates centers, and why he partnered with a private equity firm to fuel his growth. David also shares his long-term vision of building an empire worth $100,000,000. Follow David: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-schuck-spartanfitnessholdings 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 Jamie Weeks, owner of more than 100 Orangetheory franchises and about to launch his own brand. The secret to his success? Risk taking. Jamie is a big personality and a phenomenal success. With 140 Orangetheory boutique fitness studios in his portfolio, and in the process of building 60 Dogtopia franchises, he’s also launching his own, Sweathouz. The Wolf and Jamie talk about building an incredible culture despite having hundreds of businesses, how a private equity deal launched him from 12 to 140 locations, and why taking risks is at the heart of his approach to building a vastly successful business. As well as hearing the wisdom behind owning multi-unit franchises, there’ll be a lot of laughs and you’ll get to listen to Jamie putting The Wolf through his patented interview process. This is one you won’t want to miss. Follow Jamie: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamie-weeks-712543221 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

Wanting to become a franchisee is one thing, knowing which business model to invest in, quite another. Meet Brian Knuth, VP of Franchise Development at Raintree. Brian educates potential franchise partners, identifying which franchise partnerships might work out best. But Brian is also a franchise owner of Footprint Floors, which he runs as a semi-absentee owner. The Wolf and Brian get into conversation about representing emerging franchise brands, how Covid rocked his business and some of the struggles you face juggling your day job with your franchise business. You’ll also hear why Brian knew he had to dive into Footprint Floors, and why he feels privileged to help people break away from the corporate grind and pursue a career they’re truly passionate about. Twitter: linkedin.com/in/brian-knuth-06101654 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 Alex Jones, former banker, triathlete, Olympic hopeful, and dad of two. For 9/10 franchise owners, one unit just isn’t enough to generate the levels of income they’re aiming for. But, very rarely, a site and franchise comes along that performs so well, everything just falls into place. And that’s where Alex Jones’ CPR store comes in. The Wolf talks with Alex about leaving the world of finance to chase his passion for windsurfing, why you should convert an existing phone repair shop into a franchise, and how to build a transparent culture in your team. You’ll hear why Alex’s Bermuda franchise is the best performing location out of 850+ worldwide, why your customers are the best sales people, and why your internal customer service is crucial for success. Follow Alex Twitter: twitter.com/Rebelbanker 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

Zac Pennington has turned franchise ownership into a family affair. Find out why Anytime Fitness might be the perfect pairing, and why 8 gyms are just the start. The fitness industry is highly competitive but that level of competition is exactly what fuels Zac’s passion for providing health and wellbeing. From working in jobs that ultimately left him unsatisfied, diving into franchise ownership has given him a business model that fits perfectly with his core values. The Wolf and Zac discuss how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs was key to running his own business, why his creative freedom is so important to him, and why he knows exactly how to dominate the fitness market. You’ll hear how Zac jumped on an opportunity to take over a struggling Anytime Fitness business and turned it around, how this kickstarted his chain of ownership, and why he’s always looking for more. Follow Zac: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zacari-pennington Twitter: twitter.com/zacpennington 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

Unlocking franchise ownership is the defining mission of Kenny Rose and FranShares. Find out how he’s helping potential franchise owners get in on the ground floor. After discovering Fundrise, a fractional share trading platform for commercial real estate, Kenny knew he’d found a gap in the market for franchise ownership. FranShares was born and in those early days, Kenny spent his time diligently building an audience he’d later market the FranShares offer to. The Wolf and Kenny talk all things franchise and founders. From building a company from the ground up with $1.4million in investments to what it’s like having more than 23,000 on the waiting list ready to invest. You’ll hear how FranShares is dramatically lowering the barrier to franchise ownership. Why owning a piece of a local business is a powerful virtuous circle and how, at scale, FranShares will enable franchises to be traded like stocks. When you’re looking to get in on franchise ownership, you need a team on your side to smooth the path. FranShares makes it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com Follow Kenny: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kennyrose Twitter: InvestLocally 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 college drop out to multi-unit franchisee, the path of entrepreneurship isn’t always a straight one. Find out how Lucas Mitchell discovered his gift for restaurant management. An entrepreneur from the start, Lucas made the decision early on to quit college and focus on building a web design business. To cover the bills, Lucas worked at his local Five Guys and his experience working at his parents’ restaurant quickly shone through. The Wolf and Lucas discuss how the business of food and hospitality is in Lucas’ blood and why working for someone else was never going to be his dream Lucas recalls his rapid rise from Location Manager to Territory Manager of 8 locations and the moment he realized it was time to put aside his web design business and pursue a career as a franchisee. You’ll hear how he grew from one Five Guys location to 13 and why he’s still hungry for success. When you’re looking to scale like Lucas, you need a team on your side to smooth the path. FranShares makes it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com Follow Lucas: Twitter: @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

How do you create a wildly successful multi-unit franchise? You create synergy. Joe Johnson knows a thing or two about that with his car repair and parts businesses.Check out Joe’s playbook. You learn a whole lot during 23-years in the military, and after retiring from the US Army in 2005, Joe has applied that knowledge to building his auto franchise empire. But what makes this portfolio unique is how his businesses interact. The Wolf and Joe discuss how owning a Maaco auto-collision repair and paint shop, a Meineke auto-maintenance and repair shop AND a 1-800 Radiator franchise have created incredible synergy. Not only can he service just about any car problem, he can also supply parts to both businesses. Cross selling at its finest. Joe shares why horizontal integration allows you greater control over your destiny, why owning the dirt gives you more value and options, and the importance of doing a deep dive on potential franchise opportunities. When you’re looking to launch your own franchise empire and, like Joe, want to make sure the research is done right, you need a great team. FranShares is the team you need, making it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com 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 you do when the bottom falls out of your property investments? You sell up and retire. Then you start over as part of a billion-dollar franchise. Meet Gavin McConnon, serial entrepreneur. Still in his 20s, Gavin was riding high in Ireland on the back of selling 900 numbers and ringtones. Having invested millions in commercial real estate, he was hit by the 2008 collapse and forced to sell everything. The Wolf talks to Gavin on how his semi-retirement to Australia triggered his interest in franchises and why F45 in particular caught his eye. Gavin shares what it’s like being part of one of the fastest growing franchises across the globe, his experience as a serial entrepreneur who founded multiple tech startups and why franchises are so appealing . You’ll hear the benefits of having a brand with an established playbook already in place, how to expand your team and grow your locations from one to three, six and even more. When you’re looking to launch your own franchise empire, like Gavin, having a team behind you is a great place to start. FranShares is making it easy to build, manage and grow your portfolio from as little as $500. Find out more: franshares.com Follow Gavin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmcconnon/?originalSubdomain=mc Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinmcconnon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

When you’re not ready to join the family business, franchises are a solid alternative. Usman Chaudrhy is now the owner of 6 locations and scaling fast. Usman has made the transition from corporate worker to multi-unit owner, but not before he learnt all the lessons that have made him a success. Now with 6 Dunkin’ Donuts stores under his belt and 3 more under construction, he has his eyes set on growth, The Wolf and Usman discuss what it’s like growing up the son of entrepreneurs, why doing in-depth research is the foundation to building a successful business and how to assess lenders based on specificity, rather than emotional response. You’ll hear why Usman is fine with paying royalties, how to tackle banks who may not want to lend to you and the advantages of opening a franchise near a college campus. Deep thinking and research are Usman’s superpowers and this dedication to detail is something he shares with show sponsor FranShares, who are making it easier to build, manage and grow your franchise empire from as little as $500. Find out more at: franshares.com Follow Usman on: Twitter: twitter.com/UsmanJazab Check out The Wolf’s newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/ Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

It’s easier to sell 100 slices of pizza to one customer than one slice to 100 customers. This valuable lesson is just one element of Nick Panos’ highly successful franchise playbook. As Vice-President of Panos Restaurant Group, one of the company’s main focus points is operating its highly successful Mellow Mushroom restaurant chain. And if there’s one valuable lesson Nick is keen to share, it’s that catering is a game changer. It provides your business with a b2b revenue stream that, crucially, doesn’t cut into your peak operating hours but utilizes unused capacity. Nick joins The Wolf talking about pseudo recurring revenue streams you can effectively build into your restaurant business. He also shares how positioning your business as the restaurant of choice for annual conferences should be at the top of your to-do list. You’ll learn why playing long term games with long term people is the key to recurring revenue. And hear how to pick a franchise brand with longevity, plus why your long term success depends on you choosing great employees and taking care of them. Monetizing franchises is a passion Nick shares with our sponsor FranShares, who are making it easier to build, manage and grow your franchise empire from as little as $500. Find out more at: franshares.com Follow Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicolaospanos Check out The Wolf’s newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/ Stay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Almost all startups are doomed to fail. But there’s another path to entrepreneurship that gets overlooked, one that’s far less risky than starting your own company. One that gets you healthy profits and a healthier lifestyle too: And that’s Franchises. I’m The Wolf. Welcome to The Franchise Empires. As you’re listening to this, there are thousands of franchise owners creating financial freedom through franchises. But how exactly can you take your first step to get in on the action? The answer is why I started The Franchise Playbook - to give aspiring entrepreneurs access to the people who have grown their franchises from one location to 10, 20, to even thousands. If you’re interested in franchises, we’re breaking down the exact playbook you need to get started. To get a taste for what franchises can be like, I want to tell you a quick story about Guillermo Perales. Guillermo is the founder of Sun Holdings. He didn’t have a special start. When he arrived in the States from Mexico in the 90s, Guillermo was an ordinary guy, just like you and me. His journey all started with just a single Small Business Administration loan, something that many Americans can tap into and take advantage of. Today Guillermo owns more than 1,200 franchises, employing 22,000 people and generating over 1 billion dollars in revenue every single year. But you don’t need that many franchises to see huge returns, you don’t even need 10. A handful of well run franchises can create the wealth you’re seeking, and on this show I'll teach you exactly how. To take your first step onto the franchise ladder, tune in on March 3rd for our season premiere, with new episodes every Tuesday. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.