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!