Franchise Today

“Over the Top Cake Supplies is a retail store for the everyday home baker AND the local chef, a place to learn how to decorate baked goods and also a fun place for children and adults alike to decorate cakes, cupcakes and cookies in a fun, party setting.” - Kevin Johnson, Founder & CEO, Over the Top Cake Supplies

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Kevin Johnson, Founder & CEO of Over The Top Cake Supplies. Kevin shares his perspective of adding a franchise model to his 20-year old bakery supply business to fill a gap in the consumer market. From developing and proving the business model to setting the stage for a sustainable franchise brand, Kevin discusses the journey and shares some of the challenges along the way.

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 carving out our own distinctive niche in the fast-casual space that we have dubbed ‘Artisan Fast,’ serving up true artisan flavors – fast – in a welcoming and comfortable environment.” - Chris LaRocca, Founder, Crushed Red

This week on Franchise Today, Chris LaRocca, founder of Crushed Red joins co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto. LaRocca discusses how at Crushed Red, they believe that food that's served quickly should be great food, and great food should be good for our planet. They also believe that it takes experience and true artisan know-how to make this happen. LaRocca also shares how a high priority is placed on producing little to no waste with each location using recyclable to-go boxes, reusable dishes, LED bulbs, composts 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.

"Chris Spears is a creative and innovative business leader who is always in tune with the latest technology, information, and business strategy to help companies make quality business decisions and streamline business processes. Chris builds strong relationships with clients and business partners, and he believes in doing the right work, the right way, the first time." - As stated by a client about Chris Spears, Co-founder &  Chief Marketing Technology Officer of Arke

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Chris Spears, co-founder and Chief Marketing Technology Officer of Arke, the leading marketing technology consulting firm working with businesses, franchise and otherwise to provide innovative and flexible solutions. Spears discusses how he and his team guide CIO/CMOs through the current revolution in marketing technologies, working to help align marketing technologies to the broader digital transformation and customer experience programs that all organizations have underway.

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.

“Should competitors be worried about us? Absolutely, They are manufacturing in commissaries and focusing on technology, mass and speed. We are baking bread from scratch the right way and offering a franchise opportunity for a significantly lower cost than the big-box guys. We can outperform them with our product and out-cover them with our new model. I’ve heard people say we have for long been the best-kept secret in the industry. Well, now the secret’s out.” - Eric Keshin, President & Chief Marketing Officer, Great Harvest Bread Company

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome to the show, Eric Keshin, President & Chief Marketing Officer of Great Harvest Bread Company, a 40-year old bakery brand that makes bread "the way it was made in the Bible." Keshin will share what fanatic customers have been saying about the brand, calling it "bread heaven" due to its five hour process that starts with whole grains milled right on the premise.

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.

"Controversy. Paris. Port-a-potties. Top 200. Stuffed dogs. Hamburgers. Only Franchise Times covers what you want to know—and maybe even a little of what you don’t." - Mary Jo Larson, Publisher of Franchise Times Magazine and Restaurant Finance Monitor

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Mary Jo Larson, Publisher of Franchise Times Magazine and Restaurant Finance Monitor. On the show's final segment of 2016, Larson provides perspective on franchising over the past year and a glimpse into what can be expected in the year ahead.

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 looking to build the next generation of franchise ambassadors. By providing individuals from around the world with networking opportunities, constructive feedback and a closer look into key components of the franchise process – NextGen is helping entrepreneurial dreams come true."

- International Franchise Association

This week on Franchise Today the spotlight is on young entrepreneurs in franchising, and from different perspectives as NextGen franchisor, franchisee and franchise supplier. Joining co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto are John Evans, EverLine Coatings founder, Chris Rigassio, Jersey Mike's Subs multi-unit franchisee and Shawn Goldsmith, Markarie founder. 

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.

"Parents will always be seeking engaging, quality programs for their children, and we strive to fill that gap between learning and fun for young children,” - Michael Barnett, CEO and co-founder of Romp n’ Roll

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Michael Barnett, CEO and co-founder of Romp n' Roll, a franchise specializing in early educations for toddlers and kids. The company, in announcing its expansion plan, said parents need "supplemental early education options," adding that "a business concept aimed at young children in their prime developmental years would never be just a fad, as parents would always be on the lookout for educational, engaging opportunities for their children." 

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.

“Our continued growth both in terms of new franchisees and vendor relationships made this a great year for Tint World. We were able to accomplish a lot as a franchise, but some of our most successful actions have been what we’ve done behind the scenes to prepare for 2016.” - Charles J. Bonfiglio, president & CEO, Tint World (talking about Tint World success in 2015)

Joining co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto on this week's edition of Franchise Today is serial entrepreneur and president & CEO of Tint World, Charles Bonfiglio. Coming off the brand's 9th annual conference in Las Vegas, Bonfiglio discusses the growth of Tint World since franchising the brand in 2006. He also shares his journey from owning a number of successful automotive franchises and starting an automotive e-commerce business to developing Tint World into a leader in its 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.

"While most measure success purely in terms of financial gain, I measure business success on a balance of work and life. The happier I am in and outside of work, the higher the success rate I feel I have achieved. It’s also important for me to share the pathway to that balance with other members of my organization so that they can experience it and help my business grow." - Jason Leverant, president & COO, AtWork Group

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Jason Leverant, president and Chief Operating Officer of Atwork Group, a leading U.S. staffing firm. Leverant discusses cutting-edge solutions and initiatives needed to comabt the strategic issues facing the staffing industry including temporary staffing sector. In addition, he shares his perspective on the joint employer rulings and what the franchise industry can learn from the staffing industry where responsibility for franchisees' employees has been a blurred line between franchisee and franchisor. 

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.

“Your people make all the difference. The only thing your competitors can’t copy is your culture and your people.” - Mel Kleiman, Founder of Humetrics

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Mel Kleiman. Kleiman is an internationally recognized expert, author and speaker in the area of recruitment, selection, retention and engagement of frontline STAR employees and the people who manage them. Having worked with over 50 franchise organizations, helping them do a better job managing their most importat investors, the people who work for them, Kleiman shares his perspective of his unique classification of employees as investors, not assets. This week's discussion also targets various issues facing franchisors and all businesses alike as they pertain to increase minimum wage and overtime - and specifically for franchisors the NLRB ruling on joint employer relationships. 

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.