Franchise Secrets Podcast

What does absentee ownership actually mean in franchising? Is it really possible, or is it just another myth in the industry?

In this replay, Erik talks to his business partners, Luke Jacobson and Terry Rackley from StretchLab, who share their raw and honest journey from hopeful semi-absentee franchisees to successful business partners.

After experiencing the reality of burning through 6 managers in 8 months and watching their "10-hour work week" transform into something completely different, they reveal what actually makes absentee ownership possible. Their partnership story shows how the right structure can change everything, leading to profitability increases of up to 200% in some locations.

The conversation pulls back the curtain on franchise success: the truth about support systems, the power of systematic organization, the critical role of employee retention, and most importantly - what it really takes to be a successful absentee owner in franchising.

"We're not a franchisee that does something totally different than what the franchise is asking. We actually stay pretty close. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel, but on the people side, we try to go above and beyond. They'll take care of customers, which in turn will get us good results." ~ Terry Rackley

In This Episode:

- Luke's background and how he got into franchising

- Terry's background and how he met Luke and Erik

- How Luke and Terry became business partners

- The importance of speed in opening new locations

- Erik's role in the partnership

- Why leadership and organizational skills matter in business

- Critical factors in running a successful business

- Is absentee ownership a myth?

- What comes to mind when you hear the term top franchisees?

- What does a healthy franchisee-franchisor relationship look like?

- Why is aggressive organization necessary when managing a business?

- What makes partnerships a good thing?

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Franchise Equity Partners - www.frontstreetep.com

Connect with Luke and Terry:

💼 LinkedIn (Luke) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-jacobson-68632b75/

💼 LinkedIn (Terry) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryrackley/

🌐 Website - https://www.stretchlab.com/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What makes a strong personal brand, and how can it transform your business opportunities? In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, to dive deep into personal branding. From building a loyal LinkedIn following to crafting engaging newsletters, Jason shares actionable strategies to elevate your influence and open doors to incredible opportunities. They also explore the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list and how it serves as a vital resource for franchisors and franchisees.

To amplify your brand, tune in for insider tips on personal branding and franchising success!

"Of anything that we are talking about right now, the newsletter is the only one in which you have direct contact with your audience and in which there's no algorithm intervening." ~ Jason Feifer

In This Episode:

- Who is Jason Feifer?

- How to build your personal brand

- Strategies to amplify your brand on LinkedIn

- The ROI of personal branding and its business impact

- Jason's LinkedIn content strategy and how he uses AI

- How franchisors can use LinkedIn to attract franchisees

- Using newsletters to build direct relationships with your audience

- The methodology behind the Franchise 500 rankings

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Tap Into Audience Sentiment in Real-Time With Crowdwave - https://www.crowdwave.ai/

🌐 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking - https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500

Connect with Jason Feifer:

🌐 Website - https://www.jasonfeifer.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-feifer-b04543a/

📨 Newsletter - https://www.jasonfeifer.com/newsletter/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

How does a former police officer and nurse become one of the top-performing franchisees in the luxury pet boarding industry? In this episode, Larkin, a franchise owner with K9 Resorts, shares his incredible journey from public service to running a thriving dog boarding and daycare business. Discover how his people skills, gained from years on the force, translated into exceptional customer service and operational excellence.

Larkin owns K9 Resorts in Apex, NC and has another location in development in the state. After serving as a police officer for 25 years and working as a nurse, Larkin took his passion for community service and became a successful first-time entrepreneur. His K9 Resorts location opened in 2019, and he's grown to be the highest-growing franchise location in the system.

Larkin reveals why believing in the brand, trusting the process, and committing to hard work during those crucial first years make all the difference. He also shares how resilience through challenges like the pandemic helped him build a business that runs smoothly even when he steps away.

If you're considering franchising, Larkin's candid insights on due diligence, mindset, and staying focused will inspire and guide you.

Tune in to hear how passion, persistence, and trust in the system can create franchise success!

"If you believe in the brand, if you believe in what you're doing and the product, then you're going to follow those rules to the T. And doing so gives you more chance of success than failure because it's a proven brand with a proven track record of success." ~ Larkin Combs

In This Episode:

- Larkin's path: from police officer to top franchisee

- Using law enforcement skills to deliver excellent customer service

- Why K9 Resorts stand out in luxury pet care

- Why Larkin chose K9 Resorts over other franchises

- The power of believing in the brand and following the system

- Franchisee collaboration: sharing solutions and best practices

- Larkin's hands-on approach to daily operations

- Overcoming early challenges, including the pandemic

- Do your homework before buying a franchise

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 International Franchise Expo - https://www.franchiseexpo.com/

Connect with Larkin Combs:

🌐 Website - https://www.k9resorts.com

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Are you ready to expand your franchise portfolio? In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Bobby Brennan discuss the risks, challenges, and key considerations of diversifying into a second or third brand. With candid insights and actionable advice, they explore why self-awareness, due diligence, and understanding franchisor decision-making are crucial before taking the plunge.

Discover the common pitfalls franchisees make when branching out, why culture and cooperation matter, and how to assess if a new brand aligns with your goals. Erik and Bobby also share personal stories of lessons learned, including the underestimated value of validation and the hidden insights founders can offer.

Whether you're a franchisee looking to diversify or an entrepreneur starting fresh, this episode is packed with essential tips to ensure your next move is the right one.

Tune in now and learn to expand wisely–without risking it all!

"Just because my franchise over here did it that way doesn't mean this franchise is gonna do it that way. And just know that there's gonna be some learnings. You may be right. Maybe you're gonna be wrong as well. But just know that when you join a franchise, you're joining a hundred percent." ~ Bobby Brennan

In This Episode:

- The worst thing you can do when buying a second brand

- The "five C's" for evaluating franchise fit

- Adapting to new systems vs. applying old playbooks

- How to handle the challenges of expansion

- Validation: a must for joining new franchises

- Self-awareness: the key to smart franchise expansion

- Why founder decisions shape emerging brand success

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 How goGLOW Built a Franchise Employees Love and Customers Trust With Tori Johnston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWHheuG0p4

🌐 Attract Loyal Customers and Earn 5-Star Reviews With goGLOW's Tori Johnston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d7NykLrrUs

Connect with Bobby Brennan:

🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-brennan-37b46ab/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What's the right move: diving deeper into your existing franchise or expanding into a new brand? In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Bobby Brennan tackle one of the hottest topics in franchising—multi-brand ownership. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, Bobby breaks down the challenges and opportunities of managing multiple franchises, from understanding employee models to building scalable operations.

You'll learn how to evaluate whether to stick with what you know or diversify into new markets, how different business models affect management styles, and why self-awareness is the ultimate key to franchise success. With real-life examples and candid insights, this conversation is a must-listen for any franchisee or franchisor considering their next move.

Don't miss this masterclass in strategic growth—tune in to level up your franchise game!

"Until you have a manager in place and the business running, it's typically not a good idea to start two brands at once unless you have dedicated partners or people who can do it. Expanding into two brands is a good idea for a lot of folks, but maybe not at the same time." ~ Bobby Brennan

In This Episode:

- Why self-awareness is key in franchise decisions

- Go deeper or diversify: what's the right move?

- The importance of employee compatibility

- Service vs. brick-and-mortar: key challenges

- Assessing franchisor strengths before diversifying

- Avoiding overconfidence in franchise expansion

- Why experienced franchisees love an emerging brand

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 The REAL Relationship Dynamics Between Franchisors and Franchisees - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-relationship-dynamics-between-franchisors/id1460276956?i=1000675736950

Connect with Bobby Brennan:

🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-brennan-37b46ab/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What does it take to scale an emerging franchise while maintaining exceptional customer and employee experiences? In this episode, Tori Johnston, Brand President of goGLOW, dives into her journey of transitioning from CMO to leading one of the most innovative sunless tanning franchises. She shares how goGLOW's unique employee model, top-tier customer experience, and operational efficiency are setting the standard in the beauty franchise space.

Listen in as Tori reveals how goGLOW is rewriting the playbook for franchise growth, empowering employees, and delivering unmatched service. Discover the secrets behind goGLOW's high Net Promoter Score, its flexible workforce model, and why it's attracting passionate entrepreneurs looking for a scalable and innovative franchise concept.

Ready to learn how to build a franchise that customers love, and employees thrive in? Hit play now and uncover the strategies behind goGLOW's success!

"Let the special sauce be how you treat employees–not necessarily rewriting the playbooks." ~ Tori Johnston

In This Episode:

- When and why founders bring in a brand president

- How Tori discovered goGLOW and what attracted her to it

- Front Street Equity Partners role in finding the best person for the job

- Transitioning from CMO to Brand President: lessons learned

- SoulCycle's influence on Tori's customer experience strategy

- goGLOW's employee model and its franchisee benefits

- Why buyers should assess the employee model in franchises

- How treating employees well drives franchise success

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Tori Johnston:

🌐 Website - https://www.goglow.co/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-johnston2/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What's the secret to building a brand that customers and employees adore while capturing the attention of industry insiders? In this episode, Tori Johnston, Brand President of goGLOW, shares her insights on the fast-growing beauty and skincare franchise that's "outsmarting the sun." From defining unique value propositions to spotting industry trends, Tori reveals how goGLOW innovates with eco-friendly solutions and a holistic approach to skincare.

You'll also hear how goGLOW's visionary founder, Melanie Richards, built a best-in-class customer experience by saying "no" to shortcuts and prioritizing quality at every turn. Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with lessons on brand loyalty, market innovation, and leadership.

Get inspired by goGLOW's journey and uncover how to make your brand glow!

"At goGLOW, we like to say that we've outsmarted the sun. I think that unique value proposition is easy to understand." ~ Tori Johnston

In This Episode:

- Unique Value Proposition vs. Unique Selling Proposition: What's the difference?

- Why Tori joined GoGLOW and the booming sunless tanning industry

- Key beauty and wellness trends fueling goGLOW's growth

- What makes goGLOW a fit for Tori's background and career aspirations?

- Why goGLOW earns consistent five-star customer and employee reviews

- Melanie Richards' innovative approach to building goGLOW's brand

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Tori Johnston:

🌐 Website - https://www.goglow.co/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-johnston2/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

How do you build a top-performing team while working fewer hours? In this episode, Erik Van Horn and guest Kasim Aslam, an expert in virtual assistant management, dive deep into the secrets of successful hiring, effective delegation, and leveraging offshore talent.

Kasim shares a revolutionary framework for finding and managing virtual assistants (VAs) that can transform your business operations. From understanding the Pareto Principle to using job descriptions as a sales tool, Kasim reveals strategies to help business owners scale efficiently.

Ready to scale your team and boost productivity? Today's episode provides transformative insights that will help shape the future of your business.

"Things that you think only you are capable of, you're not the only person capable of that. Give them a macro-assed project, then watch them sink their teeth in–and keep your expectations reasonable. They're not gonna knock it out of the park the very first time on the very first project. That's why you give them a handful, and you start to see what they're really good at." ~ Kasim Aslam

In This Episode:

- How to increase your profit margin

- Effective strategies for hiring the right people for the right job

- Managing and motivating a remote team for maximum output

- What is Pareto Talent?

- The first step to finding the best candidates

- Practical steps for delegating high-level tasks to offshore talent

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Unlocking Hiring Success Secrets by Kasim Aslam - https://kasimaslam.com/unlocking-hiring-success-secrets/

Connect with Kasim Aslam:

🌐 Website - https://paretotalent.com/ and https://kasimaslam.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What defines responsible franchising, and how can transparency strengthen franchise success? In this insightful episode, Erik Van Horn and guest Joe Mathews of Franchise Performance Group explore the critical dynamics between franchisors and franchisees, focusing on the value of ethical business practices and transparent operations.

Joe discusses the role of private equity in franchising, the importance of full disclosure in franchise fees, and how responsible franchising can drive brand loyalty and profitability. Tune in to learn about setting clear expectations, the "social contract" between franchisors and franchisees, and how transparency impacts long-term success. If you want more information about responsible franchising, you can get The Ultimate Guide to Responsible Franchising by Joe Mathews - https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Responsible-Franchising-Everything/dp/139424326X

"Why does a franchisor exist? At FPG, what we espouse is that a franchisor exists for the sole reason of adding value to a franchisee's investment." ~ Joe Mathews

In This Episode:

- Why Joe wrote his new book

- Private equity and high-value transactions in franchising

- Key elements of responsible vs. irresponsible franchising

- Transparency in franchise fees and the importance of value

- Strategies for helping franchisees achieve profitability

- Challenges in franchise validation

- Supporting franchisee profitability through P&L reviews

- Monitoring KPIs for franchise growth

- Hiring practices for franchise success

- Leadership and culture in franchising

- Institutional knowledge vs. franchising expertise in leadership

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 The Ultimate Guide to Responsible Franchising by Joe Mathews - https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Responsible-Franchising-Everything/dp/139424326X

Connect with Joe Mathews:

🌐 Website - https://franchiseperformancegroup.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mathews-a3b65b6/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What defines a strong franchisor-franchisee relationship, and when is it time to exit? In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn unpacks the REAL dynamics between franchisors and franchisees, sharing his experiences across both sides of the table.

He reveals critical insights into identifying a supportive franchisor, managing strained relationships, and recognizing when it's time to exit a distressed franchise. Through real-life stories, he uncovers the costly impact of missed warning signs and the importance of factoring in opportunity costs before making tough decisions.

For expert tips on franchise dynamics and growth strategies, subscribe to Franchise Secrets!

"Every time I sold at a loss, it's the best thing I did. I've probably lost over a million dollars over the years in bad businesses, and most of it were things I could've avoided. But I've made way more money than I have in the losses." ~ Erik Van Horn

In This Episode:

- Defining a distressed franchise and when to consider selling

- 4 Types of franchisor-franchisee relationships

- Warning signs: good franchisees with bad franchisors

- How to evaluate franchise financials and avoid deeper losses

- Why opportunity cost matters in exit timing

- Structuring protective deals and understanding opportunity costs

Resources:

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/