Franchise Today

"Don't let your gender become an issue. If your company is a boys club then join the club. Remember, to be an equal, first, you have to prove yourself as an equal, then you can go on to become club president." - Marla Topliff, President at Rosati's Pizza

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome to the show Marla Topliff, President at Rosati's Pizza. Marla discusses the Rosati Family story, a tradition of quality for five generations and also provides perspective about the state of pizza today and what she sees ahead for the very competitive pizza industry.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"We’re working for franchisees so we make sure to take good care of them." - Eddie Flores, Founder & CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Bryan Andaya, Chief Operating Officer of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. In addition to sharing the history of the brand that was founded in 1976, Andaya provides insight into the culture and people behind L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the brand that Nation's Restaurant News referred to as one of the '50 Regional Powerhouse Chains'.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Sam Ballas, CEO & President, East Coast Wings + Grill. Sam shares his focus on strong unit-economics as paramount to franchise success at both Franchisor and Franchisee levels, and within an extremely competitive industry segment.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

As past chair of the World, Asia Pacific and Australian Franchise Councils, John O'Brien is a very respected voice for franchising as a business format on an international scale. As a guest on Franchise Today with co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto, John offers great insight on franchising as a whole, and specifically shares the Poolwerx story for what he oversees today.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"The question to ask is not whether you can franchise (anything can be franchised), but whether you should franchise. - Michael Seid, Co-Author of Franchise Management for Dummies

This week on Franchise Today we'll be discussing a new book on the market, Franchise Management for Dummies. Joining co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto are the book's co-authors Michael Seid, Managing Director at MSA Worldwide and Joyce Mazero, Co-Chair, Global Supply Network at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. Michael and Joyce share their motivation behind writing the book along with what readers may hope to gain from its content. From picking the perfect franchise for candidates to uncovering the secrets to continued success and future expansion for franchisors, Franchise Management for Dummies is a one source resource for all interested in or are already earning a living via franchising.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome to the show Scott Lowery, co-founder of Buffalo Wild Wings. Scott shares the experience of how more than 30 years ago while traveling to Columbus, Ohio, he and friend, Jimmy Disbrow came up with the idea for Buffalo Wild Wings after they couldn't find a local restaurant that served the New York-style wings they craved. In a bit of irony, or maybe fate considering the brand's current motto of, 'Wings. Beer. Sports.' Jimmy was actually in town to judge an amateur figure skating competition and Scott had decided to join him for the trip. The rest, as they say, is history!

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"I appreciate that people are serving healthier products now. We've been doing it for a long time. Eighty percent of our smoothies have no fat at all. "We want to be a healthy alternative to fast food." - Mike Weinberger, CEO, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Mike Weinberger, CEO of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies. Weinberger discusses the continuing popularity of healthy alternatives to fast food and how Maui Wowi continues its growth trajectory and is now one of the largest brands bringing Hawaiian gourmet coffees and all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies to the world.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"Successful franchisors know that franchising is based on the execution of a strategy, not the accidental discovery of the right path." - as quoted on franchisespirngboard.com

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome back to the show, Brad Fishman. Along with his role as CEO at Fishman Public Relations, Brad is co-founder of Springboard, A Special Event for Emerging Franchisors. Brad discusses the importance for emerging brands to attend this year's event and shares that attendees will receive valuable, actionable advice from experienced franchise founders who have been in their shoes, taken their lumps and went on to create successful franchise systems. The increasingly popular annual event will be held at the Westin Philadelphia Hotel September 25-27. The event is produced by Fishman Public Relations, FisherZucker and Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information franchisespringboard.com.   

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"Stan's passion for helping individuals and companies achieve their goals via franchising is evidenced by his service to the franchise community." - BeTheBoss.com about Stan Friedman, franchise industry expert

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto change things up a bit as it puts one of its own in the spotlight. Long overdue, Paul interviews Stan about his successful career in franchising, his many contributions to this great industry and his insight about technology in franchising today.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.

"The challenge is that using franchise services or eating at a franchise location is far different than investing in a franchise. There are often significant differences between a good consumer franchise and good investment franchise." - Jeff Lefler, CEO, Franchise Grade.com

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Jeff Lefler, CEO at FranchiseGrade.com, the leader in competitive market research and objective analysis for the franchise industry. Jeff provides insight into the FranchiseGrade.com process of assessment, grading and standardized reporting to provide industry stakeholders with critical data driven metrics to support growth. In addition, Lefler discusses how FranchiseGrade.com is a valuable resource for both first-time and sophisticated investors in evaluating franchise opportunities across every industry segment.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.