How to Spot a Winning Franchise with Zack Fishman

What happens when you decide to join a family business that is an institution in the industry? In this episode, we sit down with Zack Fishman, Chief Growth Officer at Fishman PR and Franchise Elevator. Zack didn’t just join the industry; he was practically born into it, drawing pictures of his parents’ franchise business as early as kindergarten. Zack opens up about the "nepo baby" label, the pressure to prove his own worth, and how he modernized a legacy agency during the height of the pandemic. We dive deep into the current state of franchising, exploring why trends like frozen yogurt and cookies are cyclical, and why "operator-led" brands like Jersey Mike’s often outperform sales-led concepts. Zack also offers a candid critique of the industry's sales incentives—drawing a fascinating parallel to the 2008 housing crisis (The Big Short)—and reveals the two recession-resistant industries he is most bullish on right now. In this episode, we cover: Navigating family business dynamics and establishing your own identity. The cyclical nature of franchise trends (fashion vs. franchising). Why the "Operator" mindset beats the "Sales" mindset in emerging brands. A critical look at franchise sales incentives and regulation. The rise of "Pet Hospitality" and the staying power of Children’s Services.