Franchise Empires

Loosen up. Literally.

StretchLab is the Austin-based company helping others to increase performance and decrease joint pain. The Wolf chats with owner Steve Hitzemann about the fast-growing franchise’s rapid ascent to success.

How did Steve dare to dream of a business model based on nothing more than stretching? Hear how Steve made the impossible possible, and how he’s making a two-membership franchise financially sustainable. 

Is the stretching franchise just another fad? And if so, how has Steve prepared to compete in a potentially soon-to-be oversaturated market?

From its customized one-on-one sessions to a unique approach to customized service with expertly trained flexologists, discover how StretchLab is revolutionizing the wellness industry with its approach to flexibility and overall well-being. 

With six locations open, and more on the way, you won’t wanna miss hearing Steve’s insights on the value of simplicity, staffing, and scalability.  

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.’

00:00:50 - Stretch Lab: Revolutionizing Personalized Stretching

00:03:42 - Training and Connection Key for Flexologists

00:09:05 - StretchLab’s Services

00:13:08 - Creating a Scalable Fitness Program

00:17:05 - Staffing That’s Driven by Membership Base Strategy

00:26:49 - Expanding from One Studio to Six Stretch Labs

00:31:25 - Scaling a Growing Organization with Multiple Locations

00:40:38 - Market Saturation Concerns for Assisted Stretching

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

The Wolf’s taking a break from his normal podcasting format to break down the latest in franchising news this week.

Is Orange Theory’s acquisition by Self Esteem Brands a good thing or a sign of impending doom? With Orange Theory’s numbers diminishing since the initial insanity of their boom, could this spell disaster or is it a shrewd business move?

The Wolf also tackles Domino’s latest earnings announcement before trying his hardest not to become a total Crumbl apologist. He’s taking a hard look at the announcement of the franchise savant’s diminishing sales numbers and diving into whether or not a dessert franchise can ever truly be sustainable. 

Will Crumbl find their steady state and buck the trend to become more than just another fledgling fad? Or is this the beginning of the end?

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

The Wolf is breaking it down solo for this special Q&A session, where he’s answering your most burning questions about the world of franchising. 

What are the different strategies and considerations involved in owning one to two locations versus four to five locations? Are home services and non-brick-and-mortar franchises the place to hedge your franchising bets? 

From the costs of hiring a fast food general manager to the best value propositions for aspiring entrepreneurs, The Wolf provides his most valuable insights and advice from his years of experience.

The Wolf also addresses the excitement around pet-related franchises in 2024 and the importance of speaking to franchisees to get an accurate picture of the business. Plus, find out his best thoughts about industry red flags and how to avoid “snake oil” franchises.

00:00:00 - Investing in Profitable Franchises for Returns

00:01:48 – The Hype Around Home Service Brands

00:05:18 - Top Franchise Choices for Investment

00:06:37 - Overhead Comparison for Owning Multiple Locations

00:07:57 - Outsourcing and Hiring for Growth

00:11:36 - American Fast Food Franchise Saturation Concerns

00:18:33 - Exciting Pet Franchises in 2024

00:23:51 - Key Attributes for Successful Franchise

00:25:10 - Franchising Red Flags

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Eric Danver is the man who’s owned 100+ franchise locations over the course of his impressive career, including 58 Hand and Stone locations and 53 Philadelphia-based Papa John’s. He chats with the Wolf about his storied franchise career and the new challenges and opportunities the business presents in an ever-changing landscape.  

From his humble beginnings in the pizza industry to building a successful portfolio of Papa John's and Hand and Stone franchises, Eric shares his insights on what it takes to thrive in the competitive food industry. Learn about the strategies and operational excellence that propelled his success and how he navigated the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.

And later, he and the Wolf also talk about the ever-growing industry of pickleball and the new and unique franchise opportunities it presents. Is it possible Ace Pickleball is onto a future goldmine? Tune in to find out Eric’s true thoughts on the matter, and much, much more!

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

00:00:00 - From Domino's to Papa John's

00:02:21 - Papa John's Dominates Philadelphia Pizza

00:05:12 - The Secrets to Successful Operations

00:09:34 - The Cost of Building a Papa John's Location

00:14:13 - From Food to Spas: Hand and Stone

00:22:28 - Building a Big Company: Roles and Responsibilities

00:23:40 - Maintaining Stability in Margins and Talent Acquisition

00:28:35 - Networking Tips for New Franchisees

00:34:23 - The Future of Ace Pickleball

00:39:42 - Ace Pickleball Expanding with New Locations

00:42:24 - The Benefits of a Membership

Find Out More About Hand and Stone:

Website: https://www.fggspallc.com

Follow Eric: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdanver/

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Everyone wants to be the next Crumbl. But let’s face it—not every new and hot franchise can be the next Crumbl. Fads aren't always bad. But sometimes they can spell failure. So how can you protect yourself against becoming the next franchise fad failure?

The Wolf chats with friend of the podcast and franchise consultant, Dru Carpenito about the franchise hype cycle and how to avoid the pitfalls of investing in oversaturated franchise markets. 

What are the risks and rewards of investing in trending franchise brands? Is it worth the gamble or are the growing pains too much to overcome? Dru explains why finding the right operator is crucial and dissects the impact that copycat franchises can have on your business. 

And later, the Wolf and Dru delve into the role of private equity in franchising, discussing the growing prominence of brokers and franchise sales organizations. Learn why paying due diligence when evaluating franchise opportunities is key, and how to spot companies who may not be forthright with their financial disclosures. 

00:00:00 - The Franchise Hype Cycle: Oversaturation

00:02:33 - The Risk of Copycats in Franchising

00:09:57 - Navigating the Risks of Franchising

00:20:40 - Franchisees Need More Capital for Success

00:22:54 - Understanding Franchise Metrics: Key Takeaways

00:25:31 - The Rise of Franchise Fee Inflation

00:29:38 - The Reality of Franchising: No Passive Investment

00:35:20 - Finding Success in Home Service Franchises

00:42:03 - The Math Behind Home Services

00:47:21 - Culver's: A Responsible Approach to Franchising

Paylocity offers the only modern HR and payroll solution that makes real-time recommendations to drive better business outcomes.

Paylocity is the modern, all-in-one platform that makes HR and payroll easier — so you can focus on your employees. We’ll make onboarding faster, recruiting smarter, and compliance simpler. To learn more visit paylocity.com/restaurants.

Follow Dru: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drucarpenito/

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

It’s time for the listeners to “Ask Me Anything”!

When does a franchise restaurant become a viable investment? The answer may vary depending on factors such as the number of units and states involved, as well as an individual's risk appetite. Discover the key considerations that can help determine the right time to invest in a franchise.

In this episode, The Wolf also shares his thoughts on the future of franchising, highlighting the food and beverage category as a major player. Find out which franchise category he is most bullish on.

If you're interested in buying an emerging brand, dive in and learn what factors to consider to increase your chances of success. 

00:00:02 - Key Factors to Evaluate Emerging Brands

00:01:57 - Building a Scalable Brand with Replica Operations

00:02:54 - Assessing the Financial Health of Franchise Brands

00:05:15 - Top Franchise Categories to Watch

00:08:36 - When Does a Franchise Restaurant Become a Viable Investment?

00:11:48 - The Relevance of Franchises in the Age of Information

00:12:59 - Defining and Protecting Territories for Franchise Concepts

00:18:53 - Identifying the Franchise with Highest Failure Rate

Follow The Wolf:

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Join The Wolf as he sits down with John Valluzzo and his sons, Michael and Nick, to explore their reign of owning over 80+ McDonald's locations as they dive deep into the fascinating world of the iconic fast-food franchise. 

The Valluzzos share their family's deep-rooted connection to McDonald's and explain their incredible journey to owning such a vast portfolio of locations. 

Discover the secrets behind McDonald's renowned training programs, including the prestigious Hamburger University, and hear how they ensure consistent quality and service across their restaurants. Nick also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a franchisee, from navigating acquisitions and high barrier-to-entry costs to maintaining profitability in a rapidly changing industry. 

Plus, what’s the real truth about that infamous ice cream machine that never works? Hear about McDonald’s innovative use of technology and data management to streamline operations and drive success.

Whether you're a fan of McDonald's or interested in the world of franchising, you won’t want to miss these incredible insights into the inner workings of one of the most iconic brands in the world. 

00:03:16 - The McDonald's Legacy: Continuing the Family Business

00:11:28 - Massive Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions

00:19:04 - Breaking into McDonald's: Is it Achievable?

00:22:52 - Inside the Training Program at McDonald's

00:29:52 - McDonald's Tech: Proprietary vs. Third Party

00:34:38 - McDonald's CEO Talks Rising Costs

00:39:38 - Success Stories of Former Employees

00:47:32 - The Truth About McDonald's Ice Cream Machines

00:51:51 - Efficient Maintenance Team Keeps Operations Running Smoothly

00:59:33 - Challenges of Passing on Family Businesses

01:06:02 - Early Riser Trio's Morning Routine

Learn More About Valluzzo Companies: 

Website: https://valluzzocompanies.com

Follow the Valluzzo Brothers:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valluzzo.brothers/

Nick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-valluzzo/

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvalluzzo/

John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-valluzzo-47a989b/

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

As 2023 draws to a close, we’re taking a step back to take a look at some of the best moments we’ve had here on Franchise Empires. 

Over the last two years, the Wolf has had the chance to interview some incredible franchise players, and we’ve compiled some of the best, most impactful moments over the course of his entire run for this year-end retrospective.

From capturing demand in the marketplace to thinking about how to invest in franchise unit models, these next six experts are a goldmine of wisdom that's bound to enrich your franchising journey as 2023 draws to a close.

Get ready to glean from their expertise and elevate your understanding of the franchising landscape. 

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Meet Zach Beutler, the mastermind behind Horsepower Brands, a dynamo company dominating the home services franchise industry. With a portfolio of eight successful franchises, Zach shares his personal journey as a third-generation entrepreneur and the many valuable lessons he's learned along the way.

How does Horsepower Brands combine incubation and acquisition strategies to transform underperforming concepts into thriving businesses? Zach reveals how Horsepower courts potential brands and sets them apart from the competition through the unique shared services model they offer, including call centers, marketing agencies, accounting firms, and data analytics.

Zach also discusses the importance of finding great people and shares how Horsepower invested in its own recruiting company to ensure the success of its franchisees. 

And stay tuned as later, he and the Wolf commiserate over the first-year lifecycle of a franchisee, with Zach breaking down exactly how effective business management can lead to long-term success.

00:00:00 - Entrepreneur Shares Story of Franchise Success

00:01:19 - From Livestock Auction to Beefy Commerce: The Horsepower Story

00:04:40 - From Bankruptcy to Franchise Success

00:09:09 - Avoid Costly Mistakes When Signing Leases

00:12:52 - Horsepower Acquires Successful Home Services Franchise

00:16:56 - The Benefits of Horsepower's Shared Services Model

00:23:20 - Identifying Industries for Incubation and Acquisition

00:29:03 - Building Wealth Through Strategic Acquisitions

00:30:50 - Setting Expectations for Franchisees Success

00:33:58 - Navigating the First Year as a Franchisee

00:36:09 - Achieving Business Goals with EOS

00:39:00 - Discover the Buzz Franchise Brands

Learn More About Horsepower Brands: 

Website: https://horsepowerbrands.com/#Sponsors

Follow Zach: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachery-beutler/

Follow The Wolf: 

Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises

Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf

Website: https://www.krokit.com

Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.

And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!