Franchise Today

“There’s a lot that I admire about Gatti’s,”Michael Poates, president of Gatti's Pizza said. “The pizza is great, and the people are even better. We’ve got an energized group of franchisees and a dedicated corporate team that’s committed to supporting them. This company is solid and profitable, and provides a great platform for growth. These were deciding factors as we evaluated this acquisition. All the elements for success are in place. My job simply is to serve the brand while accelerating the momentum. We’re all very motivated and excited for what’s ahead.” 

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome Michael Poate as their guest. Poates is Presidentof Sovrano LLC out of Fort Worth, Texas - the private equity firm that acquired Gatti's Pizza. As the popularity of pizza chains continues to rise, Gatti's Pizza was one of several franchised restaurant brands to attract private equity investment in recent years. Poates draws from more than 28 years of experience at Dairy Queen, Whataburger, Papa John’s, Chesapeake Restaurants, and others.

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.

"Being a fairly new CEO for a legacy brand, the Franchise Capital Exchange was extremely educational in preparing my company for both growth and ultimately an exit strategy.  The wealth of knowledge and advice from the participating companies was awesome!" - Participant of Franchise Capital Exchange 2016

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome back to Franchise Today, Mary Ann O'Connell, President at Franchise Capital Exchange. Mary Ann provides insight into Franchise Capital Exchange, a unique, invitation-only franchise event considered the interchange of brands, investment, education and expertise. The event takes place in Chicago August 22-24 and is three days of opportunities, connections, coaching for franchisors who are looking to grow through investment and want the chance to present their plans to an array of capital investors. Mary Ann O'Connell also holds the position of President at FranWise, a leading franchise consulting firm.

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'm so happy with how things have turned out, but I never thought my success would stem from cupcakes. I always thought it would be music." - Gina "Gigi" Butler, Founder of Gigi's Cupcakes

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest Gigi Butler, Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Gigi's Cupcakes. Butler shares her experience from country music singer to cupcake baker and her trek to success as the number one cupcake franchise in the world. She also discusses how the sale of her 8-year old cupcake company in 2016 was comparable to handing over her 5-year-old daughter. And although Butler released some control with the sale, she said her role in the company has shifted, not diminished.

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.

"According to the International Franchise Association, franchise businesses are projected to grow faster than the rest of the economy. Benetrends is committed to supporting the growth and success of franchises by providing access to capital, as well as a full suite of small business funding solutions." - Rocco Fiorentino, CEO of Benetrends

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest Rocco Fiorentino, CEO of Benetrends. Fiorentino discusses the somewhat complex world of franchise funding options that along with a comprehensive suite of small business solutions offered by Benetrends helps franchisees across every industry segment. These solutions include SBA Loans, Securities Backed Lines of Credit, Equipment Leasing, Commercial Insurance, Individual and Group Healthcare, Payroll Services and more. 

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.

"Having been on “both sides”, I know how important it is to have a franchisor that is committed to the success of its lifeblood-the franchisees. At Capriotti’s, we understand that our success is ENTIRELY dependent on your success!" - Ashley Morris, CEO of Capriotti's 

This week on Franchise Today, Ashley Morris, CEO of Capriotti's shares his journey from franchisee to CEO with co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto. Morris also explains how since acquiring the brand, he has guided Capriotti's in more than tripling in size, has brought on a new team of high-level franchise investors and has developed an aggressive growth strategy with plans to open 500 locations by 2025.

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.

"One of the qualities of leaders at all levels and at each stage of their careers is that they know who they are, their true values, and they do not compromise them for any reason." Brian Tracy, Foreword of Values, Inc. 

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome back to the show, Dina Dwyer-Owens, Co-Chair of The Dwyer Group, one of the world's largest franchise companies of trade service brands. Along with insight into her book, 'Values, Inc.', Dina shares The Dwyer Group's Code of Values and how the company follows the theme to Live RICH?  In addition, Dina discusses The Dwyer Group's new overarching brand - Neighborly - as a platform for its customers and another way to position its service brands and the values it follows?

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 are most proud of the 20,000 some parents we have helped (and counting!). We also volunteer in our communities to help low-income families with car seat education and installation, because every child deserves a clean, safe car seat." - Jennifer (Beall) Saxton

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome to the show, Jennifer (Beall) Saxton, CEO & Founder at Tot Squad. Jennifer shares how she came up with the idea for Tot Squad while in business school at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Looking for solutions that would help busy parents manage work/life balance, she tells how classmates laughed at her “cute baby idea” and how her business plan went on to win the Kellogg Cup Business Plan competition, which validated her instincts.

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.

"When people are passionate, they will exceed expectations, they will work hard to champion the brand, and they will rise to the top in their markets - no matter the competition." - Gary Findley, CEO, Restoration 1

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto are joined by their guest, Gary Findley, CEO of Restoration 1, one of the fastest-growing and most-trusted emergency mitigation and restoration franchises in North America. Findley shares perspective on what makes a great franchise - support, staff and success of franchisees. 

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 Hammer & Nails brand has truly discovered an untapped sector of the massive health and wellness industry – no one is delivering male-centered grooming services the way we are.” - Michael Elliot, founder and CEO of Hammer & Nails

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Michael Elliot, founder and CEO of Hammer & Nails,a men’s grooming shop that provides hand and foot care and haircuts and shaves in man cave nirvana. Elliot discusses how just one year after introducing the company’s franchise opportunity, the brand announced its incredible growth momentum with licenses awarded to Area Representatives for more than 200 shops in markets across the country.

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.

"All aspiring entrepreneurs want to know the secret to success. The truth is, there is no scientific formula to ensure that a startup succeeds. However, there are lessons I’ve learned along my own entrepreneurial journey—starting and running my own business and investing in many entrepreneurs as an angel investor." - David Nilssen, Co-founder & CEO, Guidant Financial

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome to the show, David Nilssen, Co-founder & CEO of Guidant Financial and co-author of Making the Jump Into Small Business Ownership. Nilssen shares his experience working with indiviudals exploring small business finance options, the current state of credit and his outlook for the future.

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.