Franchise Today

In this powerful episode of Franchise Today, host Stan Friedman welcomes Stéphane Breault, a very highly respected leadership coach and award-winning figure in Canada’s franchise community. What began as a spark during an MBA lecture in 1983 has since evolved into a decades-longmission: helping franchise leaders build better businesses by becoming better leaders.

Stephane takes us through his personal and professionalevolution—from corporate executive to author, consultant, and ultimately, sought-after executive coach. He opens up about the challenges of managing growth, making tough personnel decisions, and surviving economic downturns.

Packed with practical wisdom and real-world experience,this episode offers valuable insights for franchise founders, executives, and anyone navigating the complexities of leadership in the franchise world.

This week, we hear from Chris and Andrew McCuiston, two of the dynamic leaders behind Goldfish Swim School, as they share their remarkable journey from a single swim school in Birmingham, Michigan, to a thriving franchise with nearly 200 locations across North America. What began as a spontaneous entrepreneurial leap, evolved into a national brand rooted in safety, trust, and memorable customer experiences.

 The McCuiston brothers reveal how franchising found them,the importance of building strong franchisee relationships, and the operational pivots that helped them navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and come out stronger still, on the other side. From expanding into Canada to strategicallytargeting growth in California and Florida, they share insights on creating a company culture that prioritizes safety, facility excellence, and community engagement.

No matter your point on the franchise compass, there is rich take home value in this conversation, applicable to anyone involved in franchising.  This episode delivers lessons on resilience, adaptability, and staying true to your core values.

In this episode of Franchise Today, host Stan Friedmanwelcomes Bobby Lloyd, CEO of Magnolia Bakery, and Jason Mattes, VP of Domestic Franchise Development & Sales. Together, they unpack the remarkable transformation of a charming NYC bakery—immortalized by pop culture—into abeloved global franchise brand.

Hear how Magnolia’s fame exploded from media appearances rather than traditional marketing, and discover the strategic thinking behind their international expansion into places like Dubai and India.

Jason shares his personal journey from professional sports to franchise development, offering candid reflections on adaptability, planning, and scaling with intention.

 Whether you're an aspiring franchisee or a seasoned pro,this episode offers invaluable lessons in branding, infrastructure readiness, and leading with authenticity.

In this insightful episode of Franchise Today, Tony Zaccario, President & CEO of Stretch Zone, shares his extraordinary rise from 22-year-old General Manager to the leader of a 400-location wellness brand. Tony opens up about his unplanned entrance into franchising, the early lessons from licensing missteps, and the critical pivot to training and supporting franchisees for sustainable growth and success.

Tony emphasizes the power of transparency, mentorship, and sound unit-level economics in building a scalable and resilient franchise system. He recounts navigating the pandemic with steady communication and shares how Stretch Zone’s partnership with Princeton Equity Group and industry leaders like Drew Brees has positioned the brand for global growth.

From exploring B2B revenue streams and national accounts to addressing joint employment concerns and franchise education, Tony provides a masterclass in visionary yet practical franchise leadership.

Barb Moran planned to be an artist, but life had other ideas. She faced other challenges including being fired from her family’s business by her father and suffering a traumatic brain injury, but she turned these setbacks into stepping stones.

Today, Barb is the CEO of the Moran Family of Brands, parent company to six automotive-related franchise brands: Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, AltaMere, Multistate Transmissions, and Dr. Nick's Transmissions.  And... oh, by the way, this is the very company that she wasfired from, back in the day.  Today, Barb and the Moran Family of Brands are award-winning, well-respected members of the (IFA) International Franchise Association and the broader franchise community.   

Some takeaways from the interview: 

•      Embrace Change: When life forces you off your current path, look at it as a chance to pivot instead of it being an obstacle. Embracing change is often the key to unlockinghidden opportunities.

•      Perseverance Pays Off: Use setbacks to fuel your determination and push through. Especially in business. Persistence will set you apart.

•      The Power of Self-Belief: The journey from self-doubt to self-belief can be hard, but it’s also rewarding. By trusting in your ability, you’ll achieve the confidence you need to lead and thrive.

What do you get when you mix structural engineering, with immigrant grit, a viral video, and a love for Hawaiian poke? What you get is the recipe for one of the most exciting fast-casual franchise stories of the past decade.

This week on Franchise Today, Stan Friedman welcomes Peter Yang, co-founder and managing partner of Pokeworks—a premium poke concept that exploded out of a 750-square-foot shop in Midtown Manhattan and quickly became a national sensation.

Peter shares how:

• Pokeworks went from unknown to viral, thanks to a burrito and a million online views an hour

• A family legacy in food and a pivot from engineering set the foundation

• They use EOS and AI to drive operational consistency and franchisee support

• 80% of franchisees come back for more—and why passion trumps experience

If you think you know fast casual franchising, think again. This episode is a masterclass in how authenticity, values, and execution have morphed a niche idea into a thriving national brand.

Clarissa Windham-Bradstock, CFE, CEO, CPO on transforming healthcare access and building a franchise model for the future

With a unique background that spans healthcare, franchising, and public policy, Clarissa Windham-Bradstock brings a bold, mission-driven leadership style to the helm of one of the nation’s most innovative direct-to-consumer lab testing brands. Under her guidance, Any Lab Test Now has not only expanded its national footprint but has also become a trusted resource for affordable, accessible healthcare testing — no insurance or appointments required.

She’s also a passionate advocate for consumer empowerment in healthcare, a champion for women in franchising, and a firm believer in building purpose-driven franchise cultures.

Join us for this candid conversation, at the trisection ofhealthcare, entrepreneurship, and leadership — and learn how Clarissa is helping shape the future of both franchise and healthcare delivery models.

Josh Wall is an accomplished brand leader with a stellarrecord of driving shareholder value through strategic acquisitions, innovative market development strategies, and dynamic team growth.  His passion is fostering high-performance cultures and delivering exceptional results. He is adept at steering organizations toward sustained success and market leadership.

Josh has been growing successful franchise brands for20+ years.  Sixteen of those years were in key leadership positions in both Operations and Franchise Development at the wildly successful Christian Brothers Automotive. 

In July of 2019 Josh left Christian Brothers to assume similar responsibilities for Urban Air Adventure Parks.  Today, he serves as Chief Operating Officer for Unleased Brands, the platform company that owns Urban Air, The Little Gym,Sylvan Learning Centers, Snapology, Premier Martial Arts, Class 101 and XP League.    

As COO, Josh oversees brand teams for Operations, Franchise Development, Shared Services across the brands and is additionally responsible for all of the portfolio's Mergers and Acquisitions. 
His leadership philosophy centers on strategic vision, operational excellence, and a relentless focus on achieving outstanding outcomes for all stakeholders. As a C-Suite leader, Josh is committed to leveraging these strengths to drive organizational growth and deliver significant value in competitive markets.

This week I am joined by Don and Evonne Varady, a dynamic husband and wife team who are the founders and franchisors of Clean Eatz, one of the fastest-growing healthy food franchises in the country. Evonne and Don share their incredible journey — from launching their first café to building a purpose-driven brand, that’s changing lives across the nation.

We talked about:
✅ The early struggles and breakthroughs
✅ What it takes to build a values-based franchise
✅ Staying mission-focused in a fast-growth business
✅ How they’ve cultivated a community — not just customers

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, franchising, orcreating impact through business, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

#CleanEatz #Entrepreneurship #Franchising #Podcast#HealthyLiving #PurposeDrivenBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusinessSuccess#ComingSoon #EvonneVarady #DonVarady Brought to you by: #FRMSolutions

True story: Transitioning from military life to the world of franchising can be a pivotal moment in one's career. Back in 1994, Mary Kennedy Thompson, a former Marine, embarked on this journey seeking stability for her family. Inspired by a simple franchise brochure from Cookies by Design, she took a leap that led to multiple successful locations and eventually to the role of President of the company. 

Throughout her career, Mary has demonstrated that franchising isn’t just about business; it’s about empowerment. Here are a few insights from our conversation:

• Leadership Matters: Mary emphasizes that effective leadership shapes organizational culture. Franchisors and franchisees alike must embody core values to drive success.

 • Community Drives Growth: The power of local support is immense. During uncertain times, organizations like BNI andIFA provide stability and a sense of belonging.

• Give First: The transformative essence of giving is compelling. BNI’s motto “giver’s gain” showcases how selflessness can catalyze both personal and communal success.

Mary's journey from the military to the C-Suite has always been as a servant leader.  She consistently illustrates that with resilience, one can navigate challenges and find new significance beyond mere success.