Franchise Today

My guest this week is the iconic Michael E. Gerber, author of the mega-bestselling E Myth Series of books.  Inc. Magazine calls him “the World’s #1 Small Business Guru” — the entrepreneurial and small business thought leader who has impacted the lives of millions of small business owners and hundreds of thousands of companies worldwide, for over 40 years.

With an estimated 5,000,000 books sold to date, the E-Myth is taught in 119 universities around the world, with over 39 published works, translated into 30 languages.

Michael E. Gerber's mission is "to transform the state of small business worldwide™."

In Part 1 of this 2 part interview, we learn more about Michael E. Gerber the man and look back over the 35-year history of the E-Myth.  Next week In Part 2, we will look ahead to some very exciting news, regarding his future plans for the E-Myth and what that could mean for you.  Two weeks, back-to-back with Michael E. Gerber and the E-Myth, a big finish to this, our 12th season of The Franchise Today Podcast.

The Rising Stars of Franchising returns this week with retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, President, CEO and majority owner of VetCor LLC, a restoration company focused on disaster recovery.  What makes VetCor so unique, is that their franchise network is comprised predominantly of veterans and/or veteran advocates, who in turn hire veterans as technicians, to perform their services.  

When it comes to achievements in both civilian and military life, Paul Huszar sets the bar high. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio Lt. Col. Huszar earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point and his Master’s in Civil Engineering, at the University of Washington, before making the US Army and it’s corps of engineers, his career for some 23 years.

Jimmy John is known for many things, but few know how benevolent this man and his family actually are.  From youngg kids working front lines in stores, to hospitals, universities, the military and the arts, Jimmy John has a kind heart and shares his thoughts on benevolence in this interview.  Originally aired in 2019, this is still a great story and worth listening to again, or for the first time.  Next week I am back with Paul Huszar, a career military man and President and CEO of VetCor Services.  These guys are role models for doing things the right way and paying it forward for our veterans.  

Then, on December 8th and 15th, a two-part series and a big finish for Season 12, featuring the iconic Michael E. Gerber, author of more than 37 books on small business, including the legendary, E-Myth.  It's all coming up right here, on Franchise Today!

After almost 25 years Robeks has earned a healthy portion of the growing açaí bowl, fresh juice and smoothie franchise market – which has grown to over $2 billion in annual sales. They know what works, and the kind of leaders that thrive in their fun, yet fast-paced environment. What they look for in franchisees, are difference makers, as committed to their community as they are passionate about their portfolio.  Here to tell us all about that and more is Mitch Baker, Robeks VP of Marketing.  Mitch is the guy responsible for driving their message, both to consumers, as well as potential franchisees.

You know the last voice I featured last week, during my tribute to Jerry Darnell, was Ryan Hicks, when he told us about how much time he spent during the past few years, his early years in franchising, being guided and mentored by Jerry. That got me thinking about how many others are fresh faces and rising stars in this business.  It got me thinking too, about how many of them  could also use a leg up from time to time, by some of us that have been at this for a minute or two.

Emily George is one such Rising Star.  Emily has a clear understanding of the power behind building partnerships, be those with brand clients, professional organizations, or vendor partnerships, that enable scalable solutions for those that she serves.  At Franchise Business Review, Emily joins Michelle Rowan’s team, working  with franchisors to measure and then use franchisee feedback, to make their organizations stronger and more successful.

Emily is multi-talented and what will be abundantly clear, after hearing from her today, is her passion for helping franchise systems.  Emily wants to help brands grow the right way: by investing in people, creating a positive culture and measuring success so they can continue to grow better, faster.  Who better to feature in this initial episode of Franchising’s Rising Stars, presented monthly, in memory of Jerry Darnell.

This week, I present Part 2, of a very special edition of Franchise Today, a tribute to my best and closest friend, Jerry Darnell.  Last week in Part 1, we heard from Jerry himself, as I reprised his visit to the program, from way back in February of 2016. 

This week, we'll  hear from you, those who loved him.  And, with special thanks to my sponsors, FRM Solutions, Atmosphere TV and ZorForum, this episode is presented commercial free.  Thirty four voices in all, but one clear message...   Jerry was universally loved and respected.  His kindness and desire to improve the lives of everyone he touched, was second to none.

So, go grab a box of tissues and get ready to shed some tears, as I tee up these voices, quips, sound bites and anecdotes, from some of those who like me, truly loved this man.  I’m Stan Friedman, this is Franchise Today and a very special tribute to Jerry Darnell.

Today, I am presenting an encore performance of an epic interview, originally aired right here, on February 17th, 2016, when Paul Segreto and I were still co-hosting the podcast.  On that day, we had the good fortune to speak with an amazing franchising luminary, who also just passed, two weeks and three days ago.  I am speaking of course of the iconic Jerry Darnell.  Jerry left us on October 10th following complications from of all things, a brain injury.  What makes this so ironic, as you will hear during this interview, is that so much of what Jerry was known for, was the sharpness of his mind.  Jerry possessed the inane ability to recall and recount the most finite details of some of the legendary experiences of his career, life and conversations, with some of franchising’s greats.   As you will hear, Jerry’s life had intersections with such well knowns as Bill Marriott, Jack Nicklaus, Fred DeLuca David McKinnon and many more great and emerging franchise pros, during his storied career.  For a guy with a mind as sharp as his, to be taken from us prematurely was bad enough… but that it was the result of a brain injury that he suffered from taking a fall, makes this loss, almost surreal.

Almost straight out of college, Joe Sieve became a struggling, undercapitalized, single-unit sandwich shop franchised operator.  It took him some time, but he finally figured things out and between operating and then spending time on the corporate side of the equation, Joe later become a highly successful multi-unit Domino’s franchisee, operating nearly 60 locations, across four states. 

His career has been colorful, with hands-on experience in Operations, and Development as both a zor and a zee.  Joe Sieve has experienced it all and is passionate about franchising.  Moreover, he loves  sharing the experiences of his illustrious journey. 

Today, Joe brings his rich franchise experience to bear, as Vice President of Franchise Development, for the multiple flags flown, by Inspire Brands.  With core competencies in revenue growth, brand building and value multiplication, what better place to be?  Today, Inspire Brands has more than 3,200 franchisees, generating over $27 Billion in Global System Sales, across 32,000 locations, in all 50 states AND 65 + countries.  With more than 650,000 company and franchise team members across the brands, Inspire Brands checks in today, as the 2nd Largest Restaurant Company in America, in both system-wide sales and number of locations.  Here to tell his story and talk about it all, is their Vice President of Franchise Development, Joe Sieve.

This week Gina Rivera, President and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, delivers an encore performance.  I'm back live next week, with Inspire Brands VP of Franchise Development, Joe Sieve.  Also next week, more information on my upcoming tribute to the late, great, Jerry Darnell.

Mike Rozman is passionate about helping business owners succeed. As CEO and co-founder of BoeFly, he has been doing just that since 2010.  BoeFly has been connecting businesses with the resources they need to capitalize their dream of franchise ownership, utilizing data-driven systems and a robust online financial marketplace.  I like to think of BoeFly as being the Match.com of franchise finance.  BoeFly was founded by forward-thinking small business owners, lending experts and technologists, who joined forces with one goal in mind: to make getting a small business loan easier.  Their view was that small business growth and financing, were intrinsically linked and in need of smart innovation.    

When they started the business, it was exclusively focused on how to help small business borrowers get financing more efficiently. Along the way, top franchise brands approached them to speed up their franchise sales process. They wanted a better journey for their applicants with faster sales and openings.  Today, Boefly solves for both!  

With Q4 kicking into high gear, when better than right now, to talk about it all.  BoeFly co-founder and CEO, Mike Rozman, this week on Franchise Today!