Franchise Today

Scott Thompson is Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of all the brands, operating under the Level Five Capital Partners banner, most notably Big Blue Swim Schools.  Scott is a strategic Franchise Executive, and Lifelong Learner, and Planner.  He is also a Data Driven Sales and Marketing Executive that continuously innovates and leverages technology to the nth degree, to accelerate growth across all the brands he is aligned with.  

 His specialties: Franchise Development, Lease Negotiations, Real Estate, Financing, Sales and marketing training, Franchise law, Corporate startups, Business Coaching, Partnership Development, and Teambuilding and Technology.  And he joins us this week, to talk about all of that and more.

This week we hear from Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. He started out as an Outdoor Lighting Perspectives franchise owner in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2000, and in 2002 was hired by the brand as a consultant, to help develop and support new franchisees. He became Vice President of the brand in 2004.  Today Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is one of seven brands under the Empower Brands umbrella and Scott is the CEO of the whole shooting match.

 

Following my interview with Scott, an exciting announcement from yours truly!.

Mark Jameson's career is as entertaining to hear about, as he is informative and enlightening.  Join us this week and learn about his story and the growth and development of Propelled Brands, under the leadership of former IFA Chairwoman, Catherisne Monson.

Rafik Farouk began his illustrious career in hospitality in Egypt, right out of culinary school.  Some 30 years later, he's done it all.  From tending bar to International Operations and Franchise Development.  Rafik's depth of experience has seen it all too, from both the franchisee and franchisor side of the equation.  Today, he directs International Global Business Development for P.F. Changs and he is here to tell us all about it.

This week we close out Season 13 of Franchise Today with a quick review of 2022 and a look ahead to 2023.  Violating every rule of PC (Political Correctness) I will wish you all the very best for a safe and Happy Holiday Season, calling out some of those holidays by their correct and proper names.  :)

I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.  I certainly have enjoyed my break on the beaches of Amelia Island, FL.  This week I reprise my interview with Franchise Business Review's Emily George.  Anyone who knows her, gives thanks for the opportunity to do so.  What a better way to bring the Thanksgiving break to a close.  If you already know her, you know I'm right.  If you've yet to meet her, here is your opportunity.  

C-ya back here to put the lid on Season 13 of Franchise Today, next Wed. at noon Eastern!

This week I present my interview with Jeremy Morgan, CEO of WellBiz Brands, the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise portfolio including Drybar®, Amazing Lash Studio®, Radiant Waxing™, Elements Massage®, and Fitness Together®. Boasting some nearly 250,000 members and $500 million of systemwide sales across the 900 locations of their collective brands,  WellBiz Brands is the leading franchisor of products and services that cater to the needs of affluent women.

As CEO, Jeremy has spearheaded the M&A agenda for WBB.  Under his leadership the company has created a world-class membership ecosystem for franchisees, while also building expertise in supply chain management, e-commerce and product innovation. His influence and vision have helped the company earn national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, among others.

This week I feature my former Wing Zone partner, Matt Friedman.  For years when we would bring prospects and guests into town for Discovery Day, they would inevitably make the leap that by virtue of our last names being the same and me being Matt’s senior by a good 20 years, that we were father and son.  They would look at all that Matt and Adam had accomplished in building the Wing Zone business and suggest how proud I must be of my son.  Well, while I would always agree with them about the growth of the business, I would tell them too, how proud I am of my son, but his name is Michael, not Matt and doesn’t participate in the business.  It was always lots of fun that I could count on monthly.  Anyway, I tell you all that to say this week I am particularly proud of my son Michael, as he gets ready to join his bride Megan, to share their vows of marriage.  So, who better to present today than that other Friedman, Matt, as I celebrate this sacred event with my "real son."  Next week, I am back and joined by Jeremy Morgan, CEO of WellBiz Brands, franchisors of Amazing Lash, Dry Bar, Elements Massage, Fitness Together and Radiant Waxing.

The Band of Hands HR platform is transformational in the management of recruitment, administration and retention of front-line employee relationships. Band of Hands is not a staffing company, a PEO, a payroll company or a compliance admoinistrator.... Band of Hands is all of those things and MORE!  Their game-changing software platform puts the wind at your back, while most everyone deals with head winds.  They've got this down, even in California, so they can do it for you too, ANYWHERE!

This week I present another in my series, "The RIsing Stars of Franchising," as I speak with Ben Utecht, who enjoyed an exemplary career on the gridiron, as a starting tight end for the Bengals, and Colts.  This culminated with a Super Bowl Championship in 2007, playing with Peyton Manning, on Tony Dungy’s award winning Colts.  

Today Ben Utecht has brought his transferrable skills from the field and playbook, to the franchise game, as both a franchisor AND franchisee of Conquer Ninja Gyms. 

Ben has had success in many realms, including being awarded Tony Dungy's Uncommon Leader Award following in the footsteps of athletes like Peyton Manning. Ben Utecht, this week, on Franchise Today!