Franchise Masters

Alex Smereczniak and Dan D'Aquisto, co-founders of LaundroLab, share their secrets to how they are disrupting the laundromat industry with a tech-enabled business model and expanding it via franchising. They discuss why the laundromat industry is ripe for disruption and how they’ve been able to bring on some big hitters as the first franchise owners. Dan and Alex are seasoned laundrapreneurs. Their first laundry business is a brand called 2ULaundry (think the Uber of laundry pickup and delivery). The duo discusses how they are vertically integrating LaundroLab into their 2ULaundry expansion and the benefits this strategy can provide their franchise owners. 

Dwayne Duprey and his wife Karen were early franchisees and area developers with Orangetheory Fitness. Dwayne shares their journey of building a successful multi-unit franchise empire and exiting private equity. Dwayne covers everything - from how they structured their organization and hired and developed their employees to how they prepare their business to sell. He also shares his insight into the next franchise they bought - Restore Hyper Wellness.

Ever wondered what it’s like to run one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country? Lou DeFrancisco talks us through his journey leading StretchLab’s growth from infancy to over 700 studios in development. He also takes a deep dive into multi-unit franchise ownership and how StretchLab found success setting their franchise owners up to take advantage of opening multiple locations. Lou also demystifies “fitness franchises” and shares some from-the-trenches insight about owning and operating them successfully (and why you don’t have to be a trainer or fitness professional to be successful). And at the end, he gives us a glimpse into Xponential Fitness’ newest brand, Body Fit Training (which he’s now President of).

Having funding is a critical factor in starting any business. So, how do you fund a franchise? Here to help you out is Shirley Kefgen, Director of Business Development at FranFund and one of the top franchise funding consultants in the country. In this episode, she walks us through the various ways to fund a franchise. From how to use funds in a 401(k) without having to pay taxes or early withdrawal fees to loans through the SBA, Shirley covers it all and takes through the pros and cons of each strategy. Listen to her chat with host Dru Carpenito and get practical, valuable tips you can use for your business.

Running a multi-unit semi-absentee franchise is what a lot of people dream to do. Meet Steve Hitzemann, one of the early franchisees with StretchLab, along with his wife Stacey.

Join Dru Carpenito as he talks to Steve Hitzemann about building a successful multi-unit business. Learn the secrets to running the franchise semi-absentee (and keeping his job). Discover how they decided to invest in StretchLab when it had zero franchises open. And find out how to conquer unforeseen obstacles and his plan for the future. 

Here to share the secret to scaling his national bookkeeping and tax company is Ryland Beard, the Founder of Ledge. He sits down with host Dru Carpenito to share his entrepreneurial journey in building Ledge into a national firm managing the books and taxes of franchisees with some of the top brands in the country. Ryland has amassed massive success at such a young and today, he shares how he scaled and grew an emerging brand simply through word-of-mouth marketing and outstanding service. It all starts with building trust. Tune in to hear more of his incredible business growth and the inspiration behind his success.

Large PE companies don't want to be in the trenches. They buy existing businesses, let them grow, then sell. Horse Power Brands does it on a whole different level. Join Dru Carpenito as he talks to a Co-Founding Partner at Horse Power Brands, Zachery Beutler about what they're doing differently. Zach takes Dru on a deep dive into Horse Power’s vision. Discover the unique moves they are making to create a portfolio of leading franchise brands in the home improvement sector. From their first brand, Mighty Dog Roofing, to their newest brands and acquisition, Zach explains why and how they expand so quickly! Learn how to support franchise owners uniquely today.

Childhood education and real estate aren’t the usual combinations in a business conversation, but Drew McWilliams found a unique way to incorporate the two. Real estate covers a vast scope, from home rentals to senior living and even educational spaces. In our first episode, Dru Carpenito is joined by Drew McWilliams, the Founder of IvyBrook Academy and Franchise Realty Partners. Drew shares his and his wife’s journey in building IvyBrook, the Nations #1 Half Day Pre-School, into a national company via franchising. He walks us through the process of how he managed to own the building and land where his education business stands. Listen in as Drew shares his new venture and how he helps emerging franchisors navigate the site selection process.