In this episode of Behind the Franchise, Paul sits down with Lynn Blashford, CMO of White Castle, to talk about the iconic burger brand’s 104-year legacy, its fiercely intentional decision not to franchise, and the creative strategies that keep it relevant across generations.

From Valentine’s Day table service to Harold & Kumar’s enduring impact, Lynn shares how White Castle blends tradition with innovation — all while staying true to its family-owned roots. If you’ve ever wondered how a 1921 brand thrives in the age of TikTok and AI, this one’s for you.

#franchising #whitecastle #craveon #ai #marketing

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, Paul Ehlinger sits down with Andrea Wiita, founder of The Retail Method, to explore how smart retail strategy can supercharge brand loyalty and profitability in franchising.

Andrea shares her journey from traditional retail with brands like JCPenney and Neiman Marcus to helping scale Orange Theory’s retail operations during a time of explosive growth. She unpacks the unique challenges and opportunities of retail in franchise environments, the importance of aligning merchandise with brand identity, and how to empower franchisees with tools—not just product.

From localized apparel to tech-enabled drop shipping, Andrea breaks down the essentials for turning retail from an afterthought into a strategic advantage.

#franchising #franchisor #franchisee #franchise #marketing #ai

On this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger is joined by franchise strategist and industry veteran Dawn Abbamondi of SMB Franchise Advisors. With a career spanning multi-unit corporate franchises, franchise consulting, and even franchise ownership, Dawn shares practical insights on brand development, innovation, and scaling the right way. She also breaks down how emerging brands can avoid common pitfalls, why founders need to let go to grow, and how franchisors must embrace technology and evolving consumer trends to stay relevant.

From her engineering background to shaping franchise success stories, Dawn brings hard-earned wisdom and straight talk to this must-listen conversation.

🔹 Why franchising is a completely different business than running a single location
🔹 The key to brand differentiation and what founders often overlook
🔹 How to balance innovation and consistency as you scale
🔹 Why listening to younger consumers is a game-changer for franchise growth

Tune in for expert insights and no-nonsense advice on building a franchise that lasts!

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with franchise operations expert Leigh Welch, founder of Leigh Welch Consulting. With over a decade in the franchising industry, Leigh shares insights on the crucial role of franchisee support, the importance of investing in operational coaching from day one, and why early-stage brands often struggle with profitability. She also discusses the evolving landscape of franchising, the impact of AI on franchise operations, and the dos and don’ts of turning a business into a franchise. Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or just curious about the business model, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on sustainable growth and franchise success.

Tune in to learn why strong support structures are the key to thriving in the world of franchising!

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger (CEO of Flamel.ai) sits down with Jay Kallman, founder of Revvy Marketing, to unpack the beautiful balance between data-driven strategy and human-first branding. With over 15 years in marketing, Jay shares her journey from working with major franchises to launching her own purpose-driven agency.

She dives into why foundational marketing still matters, how to build trust in a tech-heavy world, and what it really means to “show love” as a business value. From franchise systems to startups, Jay’s insights on aligning sales, marketing, and operations are actionable and inspiring. Plus, hear how her core values like "clear is kind" and "everything is figureoutable" aren’t just philosophies—they’re daily practices.

Whether you're scaling a franchise or just launching your brand, this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and a whole lot of marketing truth.

#FranchiseMarketing #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessTips #MarketingStrategy #BrandBuilding #StartupLife #RevvyMarketing #BehindTheFranchise #Leadership #FranchiseGrowth #MarketingWithHeart #RevenueGrowth #WomenInBusiness #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Kristopher Stuart, Chief Development Officer of Bloomin' Blinds, to discuss his unconventional journey from firefighter to franchise leader.

Kris shares how growing up in a family-run business shaped his mindset, why he pursued firefighting alongside entrepreneurship, and how he ultimately discovered franchising as a vehicle for lasting impact.

• How firefighting and franchising share more in common than you think
• The importance of transparency, authenticity, and trust in franchise operations
• Why Bloomin' Blinds is betting big on AI and automation to reshape home services
• How strong company culture and honest leadership fuel franchise success

Kris brings energy, humor, and unfiltered insights on scaling a family-first, technology-driven franchise. If you’re thinking about building a brand, buying a franchise, or just love a great business transformation story, this one’s for you!

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Brooke Budke about her journey as the founder and CEO of Momentum Brands. They explore how she empowers franchisees, shares marketing tips for franchises, and continues to pursue growth both professionally and personally.

Highlights of this episode include:

Tune in to hear Brooke's inspiring story and gain valuable marketing insights for both aspiring franchisees and experienced franchise owners

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Michael Sutton about how he is expanding his business Grill Hero from Canada to the U.S., as well as just constantly elevating all aspects of the franchise.

Highlights of this episode include:

Michael sharing some of his milestones when founding Canadian BBQ Boys and transitioning and rebranding to business to Grill Hero

The full rebranding journey and its lessons learned 

A deep dive into Grill Hero’s core values & mission

Franchise marketing and customer engagement strategies from Michael’s perspective

A look at what the future holds for Grill Hero

Tune in to hear Michael’s story and gather actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned franchise owners alike. 

Guest Bio For Michael: 

We’re thrilled to be joined by Michael Sutton the Founder and President of Grill Hero, formerly known as Canadian BBQ Boys. He is currently focused on scaling the business and expanding into the U.S. market.

Dive into the pool of entrepreneurship with Mark Amery, founder and CEO of Puddle Pool Services! In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Mark about building a fun, vibrant brand in the home services industry.

Highlights:

From "grabbing life by the cannonballs" to fostering a playful company culture, Mark shares insights on how Puddle Pool Services is making waves in the franchise world. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on brand building, franchisee relations, and staying afloat in a competitive market.

Don't miss this refreshing conversation that proves business doesn't have to be all work and no play. Dive in now!

Welcome to Episode 2 of "Behind the Franchise"! In this episode, we chat with Kyle Kosco, VP of Marketing at ‪Caring Transitions who shares his journey from running a marketing agency to leading the marketing efforts of a thriving franchise. Discover how Caring Transitions supports seniors and their families during life transitions and learn about their unique "Caring for a Cause" initiatives.

https://www.facebook.com/CaringTransitions

https://twitter.com/CaringTransCorp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/caring-transitions/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJQPbKKp49DIQgIQ2bqgBA

https://twitter.com/kylekosco