In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, I sit down with Patrick Gavan — former Navy SEAL and Founder/CEO of DuraFleet — to break down a scalable mobile fleet maintenance model built for preventative service + emergency breakdowns.

Welcome to the Franchise Fit Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Brian & Michael Appell—the guys behind a national pavement striping, maintenance, and seal coating business trusted by major brands like Costco, McDonald’s, Starbucks, CVS, Verizon, Walgreens, T-Mobile and more.

We talk about building a “need, not a want” B2B business, what it really costs to start, the biggest mistakes new owners make, how they use AI + tech to win jobs faster, and what they look for in franchisees.

Thinking about buying a business for the first time? Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy — they fail because they’re alone. In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich explains the biggest advantage of buying a franchise: you’re in business for yourself… but not by yourself.

We break down franchising vs. buying a business through acquisition (ETA), the “support stack” that reduces risk, and why AI + franchise community is a major edge in 2026.

Sponsored by SEO Samba (AI-driven franchise marketing).

Welcome back to another solo episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast with Lance Graulich—where he talks about real franchise owner incomes, real numbers, and the ROI math most people ignore.

In this episode, Lance gives you the Wall Street benchmark (the S&P 500 long-term average returns) so you can stop asking “How much do franchise owners make?” like it’s one number—and start judging a franchise opportunity like a serious buyer.

You’ll learn the income equation every buyer needs, why revenue is NOT income, how margins + managers + debt change everything, and how smart owners get paid twice: cash flow now + equity on exit (often a multiple of EBITDA/cash flow).

Sponsored by: SEO Samba — predictable results + AI-driven marketing for franchise brands.

Welcome back to the Franchise Fit Podcast—I’m Lance Graulich. Most people overestimate franchise costs and underestimate returns, which keeps them stuck in research mode. In this episode, I break down real franchise investment ranges, the funding options that actually get deals done (often you don’t need the full amount in cash), the biggest budgeting mistakes, and a 60-second Franchise Money Test you can use to see what “tier” you’re in and which franchises fit your budget.

Sponsor: SEO Samba — predictable results with AI-driven franchise marketing.

If you want to own a business without wasting years figuring it out, this episode explains why franchising is the fastest on-ramp to ownership in 2026. We break down the economic tailwinds driving franchise growth, why the job market + AI shift is pushing more professionals toward control and asset-building, and why service-based franchises(home services, senior care, essential B2B) are scaling fast.

Stay until the end — I share a few brands expanding in 2026 that could fit your goals and budget, plus how to evaluate “fit” the right way.

Welcome back to the Franchise Fit Podcast — I’m your host Lance Graulich. Today I’m joined by Keith McBride, a successful 1-800-PACKOUTS franchisee in the Philadelphia / Philly Metro market (🦅 Go Eagles).

If you’ve ever asked, “What is a packout business?” — Keith explains how content restoration works after floods, fires, burst pipes, and other disasters: his team removes household contents, cleans/drys/deodorizes what can be saved, stores items, coordinates with insurance (when covered), and returns everything after reconstruction. We also dive into the real operator side: leaving corporate, hiring, cash flow timing, scaling into multiple territories, and advice for first-time business owners.

If your New Year’s resolution is financial freedom, career control, or finally becoming your own boss, this episode is your wake-up call. Corporate America has quietly changed the rules—layoffs happen fast, loyalty doesn’t pay like it used to, and AI is reshaping job security. In this solo episode, Lance Graulich breaks down why the “perfect time” doesn’t arrive… you step into it—and why franchising can be a proven path to ownership without gambling your future.

You’ll also hear real-world examples from past guests on the Franchise Fit Podcast, including high-performing owners who replaced (and exceeded) their corporate income through systems, support, and smart decision-making—without reinventing the wheel.

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, host Lance Graulich interviews Joel Worthington, leadership expert and former President of Mr. Electric (Neighborly Brands). With over 20 years in franchising, Joel breaks down what separates average leaders from great ones—and why leadership is a process, not a title.

This episode is a must-watch for first-time business owners, franchisees, and operators who want to scale without chaos.

Key Takeaways:
• The difference between good and great leaders
• The 4 foundational elements of leadership
• Why most franchise owners struggle when scaling
• The most expensive leadership mistake in growth
• Why top franchisees follow the system and win

Lance Graulich sits down with Sam Miles, CPA (Guardian CPAs) to break down the biggest tax mistakes first-time business owners make — and how to avoid them.

If you’re buying a franchise, running a small business, or thinking about switching from an LLC to an S-Corp, this conversation could save you thousands in taxes and keep you out of IRS trouble.

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🎙️ Sponsor: SEO Samba — AI-driven marketing built for franchises