Forget boring franchises. This is the FUN one. 🏰🎉 Bounce houses, water slides, obstacle courses—and serious money.

Meet Sal Longo, the powerhouse founder of Busy Bee Jumpers. He turned a college side hustle into a $5.5M seasonal business… and now he’s franchising across the U.S.

💰 Investment starts at just $165K

📈 Average revenue per territory: $862K

🎯 Semi-absentee model available

If you want a family-friendly business with massive demand, high margins, and incredible growth potential, this could be the most exciting franchise of 2025.

👉 In this episode, discover how Sal scaled Busy Bee Jumpers for 20+ years, why his CFO and an insurance CEO became franchisees, and why this “fun & sexy” brand is set to dominate the party rental franchise industry.

00:00 – Why this franchise is FUN (not boring!)
01:30 – Meet Sal Longo, Busy Bee Jumpers founder
03:45 – How a bounce house side hustle became a $5.5M empire
06:50 – First big “aha moment” delivering a bounce house
10:15 – Scaling to $5.5M in just 6 months of the year
13:30 – Struggles: staffing, cash flow & seasonality
16:55 – CFO + Insurance CEO buy Busy Bee franchises
20:40 – The first 3 franchisees explained
25:15 – COVID pivot: doubling revenue by focusing on inflatables
29:50 – Item 19 numbers revealed: $862K avg per territory
34:00 – Who’s the ideal franchisee? (Gritty & community-minded)
37:15 – Customers: parents, schools, towns, municipalities
40:25 – Safety, liability & why insurers trust Busy Bee
44:00 – Competition? None nationwide + conversion model
47:20 – Tech edge: 70% of sales online, call center option
50:10 – Semi-absentee ownership explained
53:30 – Culture of “Protect the Hive” & long-term managers
56:40 – Investment range $165K–$400K
59:20 – Growth goals: 5 more franchises in 2025

🎙 Podcast Sponsored by SEO Samba - AI-Powered Franchise Marketing

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.ionfranchising.com/consultation.asp

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Missed calls = missed money. 💸 Most franchises & home service businesses lose thousands every year because no one answers the phone. Chatbots can’t fix that. Call centers drop the ball.

Enter AI Voice Agents – artificial intelligence that actually sounds like a real salesperson, books appointments 24/7, and never gets tired.

In this episode of Eye on Franchising, Lance Graulich sits down with David Owasi, Founder & CEO of Outreach Genius, the company revolutionizing how franchises handle leads, follow-ups, and customer service.

✅ We’ll even do a LIVE demo of “Alex,” the AI voice agent, booking an appointment like a pro.

✅ You’ll hear how franchise owners are already using this to boost revenue, stop lead leakage, and hit 100% call pickup.

👉 If you own a franchise, HVAC company, roofing business, plumbing, or wellness brand—this episode shows you the future of customer communication.

⚡ If you’re tired of losing leads, this episode might just change your business forever.

00:00 – Welcome: AI voice agents explained
02:05 – Meet David Owasi, CEO & tech innovator
04:20 – From franchisee to AI disruptor: David’s journey
09:50 – Why missed calls are killing home service businesses
14:15 – The truth about call centers & answering services
19:30 – AI voice agents: unlimited capacity + perfect quality
24:10 – Setup in 10 minutes: no tech skills needed
28:45 – Chatbots vs. AI voice agents: the big difference
33:20 – LIVE DEMO: AI “Alex” takes a roofing call
42:00 – Real results: $100K contracts + 98%+ pickup rates
48:30 – How franchises are scaling faster with AI
52:00 – Final takeaways & free trial info

🎙 Podcast Sponsored by SEO Samba - AI-Powered Franchise Marketing

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.ionfranchising.com/consultation.asp

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

It’s Eye on Franchising Friday with your host, Lance Graulich! Today, I’m diving in with Mark Amery, Founder & CEO of Puddle Pools, the fast-growing pool cleaning & maintenance franchise making waves across North America. 🏊‍♂️🐡

From starting his first business at 19 to building FOUR successful home service brands, Mark shares the secrets behind Puddle Pools’ systems, technology, marketing power, and explosive franchise growth. If you’ve ever thought, “Why not just start my own pool cleaning company?”—this episode will open your eyes to why franchising beats going solo every time.

💡 Learn how Puddle Pools helps franchisees scale quickly, serve residential + commercial accounts, and why their semi-absentee model is attracting entrepreneurs nationwide.

This is more than pool cleaning—it’s a 7-figure franchise opportunity built on marketing, systems, and people. Don’t miss it.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Eye on Franchising Friday with Lance Graulich

01:20 – Meet Mark Amery, Founder & CEO of Puddle Pools 🐡

04:05 – From teenage entrepreneur to franchising powerhouse

07:40 – Why franchising beats starting your own pool company

12:10 – How Puddle Pools’ marketing team dominates SEO & PPC

16:22 – Average revenue of independents vs. Puddle Pools franchisees

19:48 – Why homeowners NEED a professional pool service

24:15 – Systems, technology & the “Puddle Power” app

28:55 – How Puddle hires & trains the BEST pool technicians

34:10 – QSR employees becoming star pool techs 💪

39:20 – Why Puddle Pools is a “sneaky hot” franchise opportunity

43:50 – U.S. growth, Canadian validation, and international expansion 🌎

49:15 – The qualities Puddle looks for in a franchisee

53:25 – Addressing seasonality: Pools in Canada & cold climates

57:40 – The future of Puddle Pools & scaling to 400+ territories

01:01:10 – Mark’s advice to aspiring franchise owners

01:04:00 – Closing thoughts & how to connect

🎙 Podcast Sponsored by SEO Samba - AI-Powered Franchise Marketing

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.ionfranchising.com/consultation.asp

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Welcome to Franchise Envy, the series where I talk to happy, successful franchise owners living their dream life. In this episode, meet Matthew Sarkela — US Marine Corps rifle instructor turned top-performing Mr. Appliance owner, and now the proud owner of three Dryer Vent Wizard territories.

We talk about:
✅ Why Dryer Vent Wizard is recession-proof & always needed
✅ How every 36 minutes a dryer fire happens (and how to prevent it)
✅ The “Messy Middle” of growing a business and how to survive it
✅ Scaling from 1 van to 5 and hitting $300K+ per van
✅ Finding your General Manager & creating the dream owner lifestyle
✅ Are entrepreneurs born or made?

If you’re considering buying a franchise or wondering how to go from a job you hate to a life you love, this episode is packed with insights, numbers, and lessons you can use right now.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Franchise Envy & guest intro

01:15 – Matthew’s childhood hustle: selling his dad’s tools for a bike

02:40 – Why recession-proof & “needed” businesses win

03:25 – Every 36 minutes there’s a dryer fire – the Dryer Vent Wizard mission

05:10 – How dirty vents waste energy & risk your home

06:30 – Matthew’s path from Marine to Mr. Appliance top owner

09:15 – Vet Fran discount & joining the Neighborly family

11:05 – Selling Mr. Appliance & searching for the next business

12:40 – Why Dryer Vent Wizard checked every box

14:00 – Buying & expanding from 1 to 3 territories

15:30 – Scaling to 5 vans & $300K+ per van revenue

17:00 – Owner income potential & 20% profit margins

18:40 – The “Messy Middle” of business growth

21:10 – What a good employee really looks like

23:20 – Life after the messy middle – the “Fortunate Future”

24:45 – Finding & training a General Manager

26:40 – Are entrepreneurs born or made?

29:00 – Final advice & how to connect with Lance

💡 Thinking about franchising? Drop your questions in the comments!

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Is roofing the most overlooked 7-figure franchise? Jason Santee, Executive Vice President  from Storm Guard Roofing & Construction, joins Lance to reveal why you don’t need construction experience to succeed — and how franchisees are averaging $375K in NET income, with top performers exceeding $1.1 million!

✅ Learn how Storm Guard uses preventative inspections to tap into 70% of the market other roofers ignore
✅ Discover their franchisee training, performance coaching system, and upcoming retail model expansion
✅ Hear real stories from franchisees like Andrew & Stephanie — restaurant vets turned power couple owners

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Jason Santee & the Storm Guard Franchise
01:45 - Why Storm Guard Is NOT Just About Storm Damage
03:20 - The $375K Net Income Secret: Storm Guard’s Item 19 Breakdown
05:05 - $1.1M Net: How Top Franchisees Maximize Profitability
06:42 - The Storm Guard System: Why Experience Doesn’t Matter
08:10 - How Andrew & Stephanie Built a 7-Figure Roofing Business
10:30 - What Makes Storm Guard Different from “Storm Chasers”
13:50 - How Storm Damage Cuts Roof Life by 10+ Years
16:00 - Understanding Insurance Windows: Why Timing Matters
17:45 - Why Preventative Roof Inspections Are the Hidden Goldmine
19:10 - Franchisee Support: Monthly Profitability & Pulse Meetings
21:15 - Vendor Relationships, Rebates & Scaling to Bigger Jobs
23:00 - No Roofing Experience? Here’s Why That’s a PLUS
25:00 - The 90-Day Onboarding & Field Training Breakdown
28:30 - 6-Week Production Training & Franchise Coach Field Visits
30:20 - Weekly “Pulse Calls” & Performance Systems
32:00 - The #1 Key to Franchise Success: FOLLOW THE SYSTEM
34:00 - Marketing Budgets & Avoiding “Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts”
35:20 - Why Some Cities Don’t Qualify (Weather & Data Tools)
36:45 - NEW Retail & Repair Model Launching Nationwide
39:10 - Hot Markets Available Now: Kansas City, Indy, South Bend & More
41:00 - Why Franchise Resales Are NOT Ideal for First-Time Buyers
42:45 - #1 Tip for New Franchisees: Get Involved with Other Owners
44:00 - Real Success: Andrew & Stephanie Expand to 3 Territories
45:30 - Final Thoughts from Jason & Lance
46:00 - Free Franchise Fit Call & Outro

🎙 Podcast Sponsored by SEO Samba - AI-Powered Franchise Marketing

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Welcome to Franchise Envy Wednesday! Today’s episode features the powerhouse HR executive turned franchisee, Nicole Smith of DOXA Talent — a remote, high-margin, conscious outsourcing franchise transforming the global talent game.

💼 Invest $100K. Build a $1.5M+ remote business. All from home.
🧠 Backed by top franchise attorneys.
🌎 Changing lives via global conscious outsourcing.

Whether you’re curious about franchising, looking for low-overhead, high-margin opportunities, or just want to hear how a top-tier HR leader partnered with two franchise lawyers to create a scalable, ethical talent platform — this is the episode for you!

👇 Timestamps and Highlights:
00:00 - Intro: From HR executive to DOXA franchisee
01:45 - What is DOXA Talent? Why it’s disrupting outsourcing
04:32 - Nicole's unique journey: From law firm client to co-owner
07:19 - How she partnered with franchise attorneys Tom & Josh
10:22 - What “conscious outsourcing” really means
12:50 - Investing in global talent: paying 25–30% above market
14:44 - Startup costs: $80K–$125K investment, $1.5M+ potential
16:20 - Projecting $200K+ revenue in year 1
18:05 - 40% gross margins explained
19:40 - Breaking even in 6 months? Here’s how
21:03 - Running a business under $18K/year
22:35 - The freedom of fully remote franchise ownership
24:02 - Is this a rare franchise model? (Yes.)
25:18 - Convincing lawyers to join? Not easy!
27:04 - Ideal franchisee profile: grit, growth mindset, financial savvy
30:10 - Scaling DOXA: number of seats = revenue potential
33:44 - If Nicole could outsource one personal task… (hint: email)
35:00 - The cornerstone of her success? Always invest in people
36:35 - Validation calls: What future DOXA franchisees ask
38:45 - Marketing support from DOXA HQ: hands-on & high impact
40:28 - Final thoughts & how to connect with Nicole
41:17 - Schedule your free Franchise Fit call with Lance

🔥 What You’ll Learn:

• Why DOXA is “conscious outsourcing” done right
• How Nicole scaled a home-based business to high six figures
• The key traits that make a successful DOXA franchisee
• How to break even fast & build long-term recurring revenue
• Why franchise attorneys bet on this brand

💡 Thinking about franchising? Drop your questions in the comments!

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Franchise Tech Disruptor Alert! Welcome to Eye on Franchising Friday, where today’s guest is pioneering the smart home revolution through franchising and acquisition. Meet Hagan Kappler, CEO & Co-Founder of Daisy, and Gavin Lantzy the franchise growth expert building the first nationwide home automation service franchise.

Think Apple. Think Tesla. Now meet Daisy — the franchise of the future.

📈 From Seed to Series C in just 18 months, Daisy is shaking up the $30 BILLION smart home market with a B2B2C franchise model, recurring revenue, and cutting-edge tech integration.

💡 Want a business with high ROI, strong support, home-based potential, and NO retail build-out? This is it.

🔗 Ready to explore franchise ownership? Book a free call now → https://calendly.com/lance-eye-on-franchising

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Welcome to Eye on Franchising Friday!
01:22 – Meet Hagan Kappler & Gavin Lantzy of Daisy
03:20 – What’s broken in the home automation space (and how Daisy fixes it)
07:11 – The future of tech support at home – a service industry revolution
10:33 – How Hagan and Gavin met through acquisitions and mentorship
14:40 – The strategy: Franchise AND acquisition to dominate a $30B industry
19:48 – Why Daisy chose venture capital over private equity
24:30 – The power of a “test kitchen” model and Daisy's ROI-tested systems
28:12 – Franchisee support: Training, tech, ops, and onboarding
32:40 – Ideal Daisy franchisee profiles (engineers, sales pros, acquirers, and techs!)
36:10 – Income potential: $4.2M avg revenue, 60% margins, home-based setup
39:28 – Hagan on the “aha” moment: From cool idea to billion-dollar business
44:42 – Daisy’s recurring revenue model and the “sleep easy” service plan
48:50 – Final advice from Gavin: Build with people you like
50:00 – Final advice from Hagan: Take the leap—you’ll regret waiting
51:00 – Book your free Franchise Fit call with Lance today

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Looking for a low-overhead franchise with high profit margins? Wondering how to scale a business fast — even in a pandemic? In this episode of Franchise Envy, I sit down with Jon Schloesser, multi-unit owner of Gotcha Covered, one of the top-rated home services franchises in North America.

Jon shares how he and his wife launched their window treatment franchise during the height of COVID — and quickly expanded to three locations across Wisconsin. We cover everything from initial investment costs, commercial vs. residential revenue, to what kind of franchisee fails in this industry.

Whether you're researching the best franchises to own in 2025, or you’re an aspiring first-time business owner, Jon’s brutally honest insights will help you understand what it really takes to succeed.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS – Find What Matters to You Fast:

00:00 – Welcome to Franchise Envy
01:10 – Meet Jon Schloesser: Gotcha Covered franchisee from Wisconsin
02:15 – Why launch during a pandemic? Here’s what happened
03:40 – How we expanded to 3 locations — fast
04:50 – Low-overhead, no-inventory business explained
06:20 – The hidden genius behind window covering franchises
07:45 – Franchise startup costs & profitability
09:30 – Who fails in this business (and why)
11:00 – Why ongoing training is crucial for success
13:15 – Splitting commercial vs. residential business
15:10 – The power of small franchise systems vs. big brands
17:30 – Real support from corporate (text the president?)
19:00 – Does franchise size really matter?
20:40 – One piece of advice for first-time franchise buyers
23:00 – Are you a good fit for a franchise?
24:15 – Final thoughts & call to action

💡 Thinking about franchising? Drop your questions in the comments!

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

In this powerful episode of Eye On Franchising, I sit down with Andrew Pudalov, the Founder & CEO of Rush Bowls, a booming fast-casual franchise redefining healthy food on the go. From Wall Street to wellness, Andrew shares the real story behind Rush Bowls' 21-year journey, why he left banking after 9/11, and how he's building a national health food empire—no private equity required.

🚀 Whether you're an aspiring franchise owner, a health-focused foodie, or a first-time entrepreneur, this episode breaks down why Rush Bowls is dominating the bowl-based food space, how their no-scoop, no-junk model sets them apart, and what it takes to succeed in franchising today.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• Why Andrew believes franchising is the smartest path for business ownership
• The paint-by-numbers blueprint that Rush Bowls offers franchisees
• Major differences between Rush Bowls and competitors like scoopable acai chains
• What private equity gets wrong about franchising
• Advice for new franchisees: Follow the system!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Andrew Pudalov, Founder & CEO of Rush Bowls
01:24 - Why the restaurant industry seems sexy—but is hard work
03:17 - What makes Rush Bowls different from every other bowl brand
06:45 - The story behind leaving banking to build Rush Bowls
10:22 - Why scoopable bowls are not the same and what's really in them
13:48 - Andrew’s favorite bowls (get ready to get hungry)
15:20 - Why Rush Bowls has no private equity and how that benefits franchisees
18:36 - What Andrew learned after 21 years in business
20:50 - Why Andrew says he’d only buy a franchise going forward
23:01 - Traits of top-performing Rush Bowls franchisees
26:08 - Do you need restaurant experience to succeed? (Nope.)
28:52 - The unique, lean model behind Rush Bowls stores
31:10 - Community involvement is a must for franchise success
33:45 - Why customer feedback trumps the founder’s opinion
36:00 - Rush Bowls in 3 words
36:45 - Expansion plans: Where Rush Bowls is headed next
39:10 - Advice for first-time business owners
41:01 - Validation: Talk to real franchisees before investing
43:12 - Final thoughts & how to get started with franchising

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real franchising insights from the biggest names in the game.

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip

Thinking about buying a franchise? Wondering how much you can really make? Or if you can run it with family?

This Eye on Franchising Podcast episode is a must-watch for anyone exploring home services franchises. Meet Jennifer and Sierra, a mother-daughter duo who share their real-life journey with Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up—from investing under $200K to building a 7-figure business.

They reveal:
✅ How they discovered Kitchen Tune-Up & Bath Tune-Up
✅ The exact startup costs & ROI potential
✅ Their roles as a family team
✅ How they overcame fears about buying a franchise
✅ Tips for moms & daughters working together
✅ The #1 mistake new franchisees make

If you're searching for best franchises to buy, low-cost franchises, or family-owned franchise success stories, this interview delivers real numbers, real advice, and no BS.

00:00 - Franchise Envy Wednesday Introduction
01:05 - Meet Jennifer & Sierra: Mother-Daughter Franchise Team
02:45 - Why Kitchen Tune-Up? Their Franchise Discovery Story
06:10 - Past Businesses: Garage Doors, Flipping, Restaurants & Bars
09:30 - How They Decided to Invest in a Franchise
11:45 - What Was Hardest About Getting Started?
14:30 - Sierra Joins During COVID: Moving & Adapting
17:10 - Defining Roles in the Business
20:05 - Training Challenges: “Couldn’t Even Read a Tape Measure!”
22:30 - Why Following the Franchise Plan Matters
25:20 - Networking at Franchisee Conferences
27:15 - Tips for Moms & Daughters Going Into Business
30:00 - Investment & Profitability: Show Me The Money
34:10 - Overcoming Fears About Franchising
37:00 - When They Wanted to Quit
40:00 - Importance of Employees & Team
42:15 - Advice for Future Franchise Owners
45:20 - Final Words of Wisdom

⭐ Aspiring franchise owners researching Kitchen Tune-Up, Bath Tune-Up, and home service brands
⭐ Parents & kids looking to run a business together
⭐ Anyone wanting real numbers before buying a franchise
⭐ Entrepreneurs exploring low-cost franchises with high ROI

💡 Thinking about franchising? Drop your questions in the comments!

Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!

https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip