PODCAST · business
Smart Franchising with Fransmart
by Dan Rowe
Dive deep with CEO of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, into the complex world of franchising and get expert insights, actionable strategies, and real-world stories. This podcast isn’t just about the ‘what’ of franchising, it’s about the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. We’ll not only offer practical advice and actionable strategies, but also demystify the industry, explore its human side, and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the franchise sector.
Episodes
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Tim Gannon: The $37 Bet That Built Outback Steakhouse's $1.4 Billion Onion
What does it take to tear up a million-dollar check and bet everything on a dream? That's exactly what Tim Gannon did when he walked away from Al Copeland to co-found Outback Steakhouse with just $37 in his pocket In this episode, Dan Rowe sits down with Tim to unpack the philosophy…
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How to Franchise Internationally: Xponential Fitness President Bob Kaufman on Global Growth
When Bob Kaufman landed his dream job at Tower Records in Japan, he was just hoping to score free CDs and concert tickets. But that first international posting became the launchpad for an extraordinary global franchising career – one that has taken him from running music stores to scaling Coffee...
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TAGeX Brands' Neal Sherman Reveals How to Slash Franchise Build-Out Costs
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Neal Sherman, founder of TAGeX Brands, to uncover one of the most underutilized levers in franchising: the restaurant equipment aftermarket. With build-out costs continuing to rise, Neal breaks down how franchisees and brands can...
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Cafe Spice's Sameer Malhotra on the Power of Co-Packing
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Sameer Malhotra, founder of Cafe Spice, to unpack one of the most powerful—and overlooked—growth levers in franchising: co-packing. What began as a family-run Indian restaurant business evolved into a national operation supplying…
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From Zero to 600: How CMG Companies' Navin Nagrani and Al Bhakta Built a 600-Unit Empire Across 10 Brands
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Navin Nagrani and Al Bhakta of CMG Companies to reveal how eight partners built one of the largest independent multi-unit, multi-brand franchisee operations in America—with over 600 locations across KFC, Taco Bell, Sonic, Little…
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Door-Knockers to Dynasty: Milo Leakehe & Zach McKinley's 5-Brand Franchise Story
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Milo Leakehe and Zach McKinley, co-founders of Imbue Capital, to reveal how they built a multi-brand franchise platform across five verticals without chasing the traditional MUMBO playbook. Milo and Zach share their unconventional...
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Franchise Insiders' Jack Johnson on the Resale Opportunity Resale Opportunity Most Franchisees Miss
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Jack Johnson, CEO of Franchise Insiders, to explore the untapped potential of franchise resales. Jack breaks down the resale opportunity most franchisees miss by buying profitable businesses, skipping the startup grind, and building to...
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Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen's Chris Gannon: From Busser to Founder
In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Chris Gannon, founder of Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen and son of Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon, to explore the critical question: should you franchise your restaurant concept? With 22 locations across Florida, Bolay Fresh Bold...
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FranNet's Leslie Kuban on Mastering Franchise Resales and Working with Consultants
Join franchise industry leader Dan Rowe the Founder and CEO of Fransmart and Leslie Kuban the Market President and Franchise Owner of FranNet as they dive deep into the world of franchise resales and the critical role consultants play in these transactions. In this insightful conversation, Dan…
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Fransmart Takeover: McLain Hoogland Shares How He Built America's Largest Marco's Franchise
From running movies out of the back of his family’s warehouse at age 12 to becoming the largest Marco’s Pizza franchisee in America, McLain Hoogland understands the long game – and the pivot. With a lineage stretching back to the birth of family video rental and a career forged by service in the...
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Fransmart Takeover: Entrepreneur Magazine's Carl Stoffers on Today's Hottest Franchise Trends
Before Carl Stoffers was Entrepreneur Magazine’s Senior Business Editor, he was logging twelve-hour shifts in a maximum security prison in the sweltering Arizona desert. But even surrounded by concrete walls and lockstep routines, Carl never let go of his love for words – reading under a…
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Fransmart Takeover: 37 Years a Franchisee: Mitch Cohen (Jersey Mike's, Sola Salons, PerforMax) on a People-First Approach
After decades operating six different food brands including Dunkin’ and Jersey Mike’s, Mitch took a leap that changed everything: salon studios. Why? Because great franchises evolve, and Mitch believes in building businesses where people don't shy away from change. His philosophy? Treat every...
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Jesse Keyser: 31-Unit Multi-Brand Franchisee of Sport Clips, Little Caesars & Oxi Fresh
Jesse Keyser knows a thing or two about scaling from a single pizza shop dream to over 50 franchise locations across the U.S. – but it wasn’t just business savvy that got him there. Early on, Jesse learned the hard way that running a business isn’t just about chasing growth or watching the bank...
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Reality Interactive's Jeremy Brazeal on the AI Engine Powering Global Brands
In an era where technology is advancing at lightning speed, franchisors must adapt or risk being left behind. Enter Jeremy Brazeal, a visionary from Reality Interactive, who who previously led groundbreaking consumer, digital engagement, and advertising work for global icons like The LEGO Group…
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From One Wendy’s to 200+ Locations: How Mike Hamra Built Hamra Enterprises
Mike Hamra’s family legacy in the franchising industry spans generations. In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike joins Dan Rowe as he shares insights into his remarkable journey from practising law to leading a powerhouse in the franchise world. In this episode of Smart Franchising...
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Neel Bhargava (NB Group) on Scaling Crunch Fitness and European Wax Center
How do you turn a small franchise into a massive empire?In this episode, Dan Rowe chats with Neel Bhargava, co-founder of NB Group, who’s reshaping the world of franchise investment with his unique multi-unit, multi-brand approach. Neel’s journey took him from the world of consulting and private...
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SG Ellison's Blueprint for a 360+ Unit Restaurant Empire and Taco Bell Cantina
On today’s episode, we sit down with SG Ellison, the powerhouse behind a 360+ unit franchise empire and the first-ever Taco Bell Cantina. SG didn’t scale by cutting corners—he scaled by investing in people, pushing innovation, and playing the long game. From buying his first 85 units to…
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Kettleman's Bagel's Amer Wahab on Turning One Store Into $5M
On today’s episode, we sit down with Amer Wahab, the operator behind one of the most impressive unit economics in fast casual—$5.3M in sales from a single Kettlemans Bagel location. Amer built a powerhouse brand with industry-leading retention, a cult following, and a model that’s built to scale....
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Olo's Noah Glass on Building a $1 Billion Restaurant Tech Company
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Noah Glass, the visionary founder of Olo, who turned an everyday frustration into a billion-dollar tech company that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry. Nearly 20 years ago, Noah imagined a world where you could skip the...
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Kathryn Chayka, CEO of JKC Restaurants: The Playbook for Perfect Franchise Turnarounds
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Kathryn Chayka, the powerhouse who built massive success in franchise turnarounds, taking 12 struggling Wendy’s locations and making a multi-million dollar success story. Fresh out of college, Kathryn took over a territory of...
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Midas' Brian Beers on Building a $45M+ Franchise Portfolio From Scratch
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Brian Beers, a franchise broker and entrepreneur who built a $45M franchise empire from scratch. At just 37, Brian scaled his franchise portfolio of Midas shops to 33 locations, challenging the norms of franchising and proving...
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Creating Legacy Businesses in Franchising with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips
On today’s episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips, to talk about what it takes to build a legacy business in franchising. Before leading one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, Steve started as a franchisee with a vision. Over the…
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Ethical Franchising Uncovered: Legal Insights with Ron Gardner, Franchisee Attorney at Dady & Gardner
Ron Gardner’s journey from spinning records to spinning the wheels of justice is nothing short of extraordinary. As a former disc jockey turned trial lawyer, Ron has made a significant impact on the franchising world by protecting franchisees from fraud and unfair practices. Guided by his...
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What It Takes to Build a Beauty Empire, with Tyler Moore, COO of GLO30
What does it take to transform a local beauty brand into a franchise powerhouse? In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Moore, COO of GLO30, who’s helping turn a local favorite into a rapidly expanding beauty franchise with over 100 locations in development. Before this, Tyler was instrumental…
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Building the World’s Largest Power Washing Brand: Aaron Harper’s Rolling Suds Story
Aaron Harper’s path to franchising was anything but ordinary. From navigating the glitz and glam of Hollywood to building Rolling Suds into a standout franchise, Aaron has seen both the spotlight and the shadows of entrepreneurship. In this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart, he doesn’t...
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Ray Harrigill (Sunray Companies) on Winning Big in Small Markets
As a law student working shifts in a restaurant, Ray Harrigill couldn’t have guessed that would become a launchpad for his franchising journey. Fast-forward 25 years, and Ray has built a thriving multi-unit business, bringing powerhouse brands like Massage Envy, My Salon Suite, and Palm Beach Tan...
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Ross Weisman, Co-Founder of Epic Managers: Building a 250+ Unit Empire with Massage Envy
Ross Weisman grew a single Massage Envy location into a 250+ unit empire across eight states. In this episode, he shares key insights from his success as an area representative for Massage Envy and European WaxCenter. Now, as co-founder of Epic Managers, Ross helps franchisees find and keep top...
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Franchise Times' John Hamburger Reveals Keys to Franchise Success and Overcoming Industry Challenges
In this episode, Dan Rowe sits down with John Hamburger, President of Franchise Times and Restaurant Finance Monitor, to discuss the secrets of success in the franchising industry. With a wealth of experience in finance and franchising, John shares his insights on industry growth, the challenges...
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The Vibe Restaurants Effect: How Irfaan Lalani Built 125 Locations Across Top Brands
Join Dan Rowe as he sits down with Irfaan Lalani, co-founder and CEO of Vibe Restaurants, who went from starting with one Little Caesars location to now running over 125+ restaurants across multiple brands, including Little Caesars, Wingstop, and Whataburger. Irfaan talks about the challenges of...
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Unlocking Exponential Growth and Profitability in Franchising with Andrew Feghali
Starting with just a dream and sheer determination, Andrew Feghali has carved out a remarkable empire in the franchising world. Andrew Feghali, a self-made multi-unit franchisee, shares his journey from working in his family's Little Caesars at 13 to owning over 60 locations across three major...
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The American Dream Realized: Paul Kushnir's Sprint to Success
From humble beginnings as a Ukrainian immigrant to becoming a titan in the franchising world, Paul Kushnir shares his remarkable success story on this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart.His story is a powerful example of the American dream in action. Paul shares his incredible journey…
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Peter Holt's Game-Changing Approach to Franchising Chiropractic Care
Peter Holt, CEO of The Joint Chiropractic, brings an impressive 38-year legacy in franchising to today’s episode. From his accidental entry into the franchise industry to spearheading a revolution in chiropractic accessibility, Peter shares his journey and the growth of The Joint Chiropractic to...
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The Art of Attracting Big Buyers in Franchising with Jay Sonner
In this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart, we sit down with Jay Sonner from North Point, a leading expert in mergers and acquisitions. With extensive experience in the restaurant and franchising industries, Jay shares his valuable insights on crafting a franchise that not only attracts...
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Unlocking Franchise Opportunities with Expert Ewell Smith
In this episode, Dan Rowe interviews Ewell Smith, a franchise broker, about his background and experience in the franchising industry. Ewell shares his extensive experience in running trade associations and dealing with crises, which has shaped his approach to helping entrepreneurs find the right...
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Franchising Unfiltered: What Franchisors Don't Teach You with Aicha Bascaro
Tune in as Aicha Bascaro, with over 35 years in the franchising industry, shares her expert insights on the challenges and strategies of running a successful franchise. Aicha, who founded the American Franchise Academy, shares her insights on the gap between what franchisors teach and what...
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From Distribution to Five Guys Franchise Dominance with Bill Gellert
From humble beginnings in food distribution to becoming a franchise king with over 50 Five Guys locations, Bill Gellert's story is one of remarkable transformation and savvy business expertise. Learn about Bill's early days selling Cinnabon franchises before he and his family took a chance on a...
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Mike Axiotis's Winning Formula for Building a Multi-Brand Empire with Red Robin and Wingstop
Join Mike Axiotis, a seasoned Red Robin and Wingstop franchisee, as heshares his incredible journey in the restaurant industry. Starting as an 11-year-old busboy in his uncle's diner, Mike quickly climbed the ladder tobecome a prominent figure in franchising. In this episode, he discusses the...
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Mastering Strategic Selling and Raising Capital with Patrick Galleher
In this episode, Dan has an engaging chat with Patrick Galleher, the managing partner of Boxwood Partners. Patrick shares insights from his extensive experience in helping franchisees and franchisors navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and raising capital. The conversation covers the...
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From Single Store to National Staple with Freddy's Scott Redler
Scott Redler, the co-founder of Freddy's, joins us on this episode to share his incredible story, from starting out at 15 in the food industry to opening the 500th Freddy's location. This episode dives into the secrets behind Freddy's success, from its unique frozen custard and steakburgers to…
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The Franchise Playbook with Marc Magerman
In this insightful episode, Marc Magerman takes center stage to share his wealth of experience and knowledge in the franchising industry. As a seasoned entrepreneur with a remarkable track record, Marc offers valuable insights into various aspects of franchising, providing listeners with a deeper...
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How Tech Transformed Cali BBQ with Shawn Walchef
Starting a business in a tough spot didn't stop Shawn Walchef from making a name for himself in the competitive world of restaurants. In this episode, Shawn, owner of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, talks about turning challenges into opportunities. He discusses the critical role of digital tools in...
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From Tech Sales to $50m+ Multi-Unit/Multi-Concept Franchisee
In this podcast episode, we meet Rick Fisher, a former software executive who made a big change to become a successful franchise owner. Rick talks about his journey, starting with Five Guys, and how he grew his business to include 37 stores, with both Popeyes and Five Guys in his portfolio. He...
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Dishing Up Success: How Don Fox Built a Franchise Phenomenon
From his early days scrubbing dishes to directing a billion-dollar brand, Don Fox's extraordinary journey to the top of Firehouse Subs is a testament to where ambition and grit can take you. With a deep dive into his decision-making process, Don shares how adapting to change, course-correcting…
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Mastering the Franchise Game with Greg Flynn
Greg Flynn, the largest franchisee in the world, shares his insights on franchise success and growth. He discusses his background and early ventures, including his experience with WorldRaps. Flynn then explains how he transitioned to Applebee's and the factors that contributed to his success in...
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Trailer
Now introducing Smart Franchising with Fransmart, dive deep with Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart, into the complex world of franchising and get expert insights, actionable strategies, and real-world stories.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dive deep with CEO of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, into the complex world of franchising and get expert insights, actionable strategies, and real-world stories. This podcast isn’t just about the ‘what’ of franchising, it’s about the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. We’ll not only offer practical advice and actionable strategies, but also demystify the industry, explore its human side, and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the franchise sector.
HOSTED BY
Dan Rowe
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Smart Franchising with Fransmart have?
Smart Franchising with Fransmart currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Smart Franchising with Fransmart about?
Dive deep with CEO of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, into the complex world of franchising and get expert insights, actionable strategies, and real-world stories. This podcast isn’t just about the ‘what’ of franchising, it’s about the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. We’ll not only offer practical advice and actionable...
How often does Smart Franchising with Fransmart release new episodes?
Smart Franchising with Fransmart has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Smart Franchising with Fransmart?
You can listen to Smart Franchising with Fransmart on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Smart Franchising with Fransmart?
Smart Franchising with Fransmart is created and hosted by Dan Rowe.
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