Dynamic Disruption

The CEO of Home Services at Phoenix Franchise Brands, Kevin Longe, joined us for this episode of Dynamic Disruption. We unpacked how in-house development, 10-year franchise contracts, and strong franchisee relationships have fueled rapid growth. We also dive into how AI and smart marketing strategies are giving home service brands a serious competitive edge. A must-listen for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to scale with purpose.

In this episode of Dynamic Disruption, we sat down with Chad Palmer, CMO of United Franchise Group (UFG), one of the world's largest franchise development organizations. Chad pulls back the curtain on how UFG is harnessing AI and digital transformation not just to market franchises — but to fundamentally reimagine how they support franchisees, create brand synergy across 40+ diverse concepts, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode, Marc Torres, CEO of Cheba Hut, shares his journey from frontline worker to CEO, emphasizing the importance of authentic culture, local community engagement, and strategic growth. Discover how staying true to core values and fostering pride among staff can drive brand success.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Hazard, Retail Network Development Marketing Director at Fortidia, the company behind global franchise brands including AlphaGraphics, PostNet, and World Options. With more than 3,200 locations worldwide, Emily shares how Fortidia grows franchise networks while maintaining a strong culture and local community connection. We discuss the importance of selecting the right franchise owners, how AI and technology are shaping marketing and operations, the role of sustainability in modern business, and the key metrics that drive success across a global franchise system.

In this conversation, Mallory Pruitt, the Executive Director of Ellianos Coffee, shares her inspiring journey from a barista to a leader in the coffee industry. She discusses her diverse career path, the strategic growth of Ellianos over the years, and the importance of networking and persistence in achieving career goals.

Don Champion, SVP of Sales and Development for Penn Station East Coast Subs, joins us this episode to explore the major shifts in the fast-casual dining industry and how brands are adapting to changing customer expectations. We dive into strategies for growth, maintaining brand identity, and the critical role of franchise owners in delivering value and engagement.

In this episode, Mary Wehrer, VP of Marketing and Merchandising for Floyd's 99 Barbershop, shares how her team thoughtfully blends digital channels with traditional tactics to drive growth and stay connected to diverse customer groups. She breaks down why community engagement, grassroots partnerships, and continuous innovation remain core to their strategy.

This episode features Chad Offerdahl, President and Co-CEO of Big Biscuit, who shares his philosophy on building an enduring brand through people-first leadership. He explains that excellent customer experience is directly fueled by employee satisfaction and talks about Big Biscuit's commitment to sustainable growth, which means prioritizing a "small company mindset" and the right franchisees over rapid scaling. Learn how the brand maintains its integrity by sticking to timeless core values and how the breakfast ritual drives customer loyalty, offering key insights into the future of values-driven franchising.

In this episode of Dynamic Disruption, host Mary Hanula welcomes Matt Labuda, Vice President of Marketing at LINE-X, to discuss how the company has grown from a truck bed protection provider into a comprehensive vehicle customization brand.

Matt shares how LINE-X adapted during economic challenges, embraced digital transformation, and built a loyal customer base through authenticity and quality. The conversation highlights the brand’s marketing strategies, customer engagement tactics, and continued household name status in vehicle customization.

Discover the unique approach that sets Aroma Joe's apart in the competitive QSR space, focusing on authentic customer connections and community engagement. Carrie McAleese Riley, CMO of Aroma Joe's, shares insights on leadership, advocating for oneself in male-dominated industries, and maintaining work-life balance.