Franchise Today

"Every year tens of thousands of new franchisees open their doors for business and look to fulfill the American dream of success, and every year hundreds of new franchise companies announce their plans to be the next McDonalds, Subway Restaurants, Marriott, RE/MAX, or Great Clips and fail to reach that goal. Why?" - Lonnie Helgerson, Author, Five Pennies 'Ten Rules to Successfully Build a Franchise Mega-Brand and Maximize System Profits'

Well-known franchise professional and author, Lonnie Helgerson joins Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto on his second guest appearance on the show, almost four years to the date. Lonnie discusses his book, Five Pennies 'Ten Rules to Successfully Build a Franchise Mega-Brand and Maximize System Profits' and how many of the principles outlined can help new and mature franchisors alike and especially as the franchise relationship continues to be attacked, and questioned in the news and ultimately, in the courtroom. 

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"Driving social media can be a valuable investment of time – however, ensuring that you approach social media with the same level of rigor, control and efficiency – as you would traditional marketing - is key.  With the right preparation, tools and evaluation – growing and protecting your brand and business on social media can be efficient, cost effective – and successful." - Anthony Owen (as posted on FranchiseExpo.com, Approach social media with rigor, control and management for success

This week on Franchise Today, Anthony Owen, CEO & Founder of Manalto, Inc. joins co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto for a riveting hour of discussion around social media and it's role in effectively building a franchise brand. Anthony provides his experience in managing social media acorss many franchise locations, enabling franchisors to control messaging while protecting brand integrity. He also shares his perspective on franchisees' involvement to ensure community-building at the local level while also maintaining consistency in messaging and appearance.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"Success can be defined in a multitude of ways but in franchising, success is about being the right kind of person who makes the right kinds of decisions that help those in their sphere of influence become the right kind of people." - Jerry Darnell 

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Jerry Darnell, CEO of Jerry Darnell & Associates. Often referred to as the “Mayor of Franchising” and recognized by many, as the creator of franchise “Discovery Days,” Jerry has worked through an illustrious 35 year-long franchising career that has seen him build new franchise division infrastructures for multi-billion dollar companies like the Medicine Shoppe and develop successful franchise programs for such well-known brands as Physicians Weight Loss Centers and Sterling Optical.  Perhaps best known for his years as a consultant to MAACO Founder Tony Martino, or as a senior executive with Guidant, Benetrends or Bob Gappa’s Management 2000, there is nobody in franchising who has served so long, brought so many people together and can still remember each and every second of his amazing 35 year-long career, as if it all just happened yesterday. 

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"We are forecasting that for the sixth consecutive year, franchise businesses will grow at rates that exceed the economy-wide growth of industries where franchises are concentrated. Franchise businesses are showing tremendous capability to provide new jobs for working families and new businesses for first-time business owners across all sectors in local communities, despite the fact that franchisees are facing many new regulatory threats at all levels of government." - Robert Cresanti, President & CEO, International Franchise Association

A tradition continues this week on Franchise Today as Robert Cresanti, President & CEO of the International Franchise Association provides his perspective on the state of franchising and outlook on the upcoming 56th Annual IFA Convention, this year in San Antonio, Texas. This marks the fifth year in a row the leader of the IFA is a guest on the show LIVE and just ahead of the industry's annual convention. Co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome Robert Cresanti in this, his first appearance on Franchise Today, having been appointed to the IFA top spot this past September.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"Our business has morphed into attendees who have done research and are on step 3. They’ve cleared a number of different hurdles before they get to one of our franchise expos. They’ve done so much research, they’ve talked to franchisors, they’ve looked at some of the costs and industries, and are really in a different mindset by the time they attend an expo. They’re way more educated. It’s the biggest comment we hear time and time again, that the quality of the attendees at these shows is just off the charts. It’s so much different than it was 10 years ago." - Tom Portesy, CEO, MFV Expositions, when asked how the internet has changed how people today research franchise opportunities.

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto discuss the world of exploring franchise opportunities with their guest, Tom Portesy, CEO of MFV Expositions. Just ahead of Franchise Expo South in Houston, TX, an event produced by MFV with the International Franchise Association, Tom shares his perspective on how individuals have become more educated in the process of researching franchise brands and how the internet has changed the process from just a short ten years ago.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"The phrase [Content is King] has been replaced with "Content is Queen," "Audience is the King," "Content is the Servant," "Social Media is the Kingmaker," and several others. The message is the same. Quality content delivered to your audience will produce results. Interesting and new information provided on a brand's social platforms will mark the brand higher in search engine results." - Deb Evans, Franchising World 2013

This week on Franchise Today, Deb Evans, President of Deb Evans Consulting and Founder & co-host of the popular podcast, Social Geek Radio shares her insight and perspective on the increasingly complex, yet now mainstream digital world. Deb, along with Franchise Today co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto explore the importance of sharing quality content online in order to be heard through the maze of chatter that occurs on a daily basis. From social media to personal branding, brands and their leadership alike should be 'actively' utilizing the digital world to remain relevant in the eyes of stakeholders at all levels - and utilizing technology makes it easier than ever before.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

“Bridging Worlds” focused on combining current and future business environments, new business models, the Internet of Things, disruptive technologies and unique ideas that are particularly relevant for marketing, media, advertising and customer communication. - DMEXCO 2015 - Digital Marketing Expo & Conference, 

This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest, Steve Baxter, Managing Director of eKomi, Inc. North America. Focusing on challenges facing many small businesses today, Steve discusses how social commerce technology is used to enable trust, increase sales, reduce returns & complaints and drive organic traffic. This is the world of reviews and recommendations. From a larger perspective it's also the world of protecting the brand.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"...what we saw in the 80's and early 90's was a lot of specialty shops. And that did one thing that was very interesting that we saw, and part of the reason why we created these co-branding opportunities is because the customer was put at a disadvantage. With specialty shops it appeared on the surface to be a convenience factor for the customer. But what the customer lost was the relationship that theyhad. Years ago you used to go to the neighborhood gas station and you knew the operator, and you had a relationship and you trusted him, right?" - Pete Baldine, President, Moran Family of Brands

As Franchise Today launches its seventh season on the air, co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome long-time franchise professional, Pete Baldine as their guest. Baldine is president at Moran Family of Brands, franchisor to multiple automotive franchise brands including Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Repair and AltaMere Toys for Cars. 

In an industry that has long been perceived as not having any glitz or appeal, co-branding has enabled Moran's brands to build and strengthen relationships with both customers and franchisees alike. For customers, it offers a one-stop shop of convenient quality service. For franchisees, it offers an efficient business model that builds loyalty and repeat business while minimizing overhead. To these points, show discussion will focus on the efficiencies of co-branding and how Moran Family of Brands has addressed technology challenges with today's vehicles, necessity of a higher skill level for technicians and issues that both franchises and independent business alike are facing today.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

When asked in a recent interview, What do you love most about being CEO, Catherine Monson, CEO & president of FastSigns responded, "I am going to start with what I love about franchising, as that is the basis of what I love about being CEO of Fastsigns International. I grew up in a small family business, and I am passionate about small business and its positive impact on the economy and our country. Franchising is the most effective business model to help people get into business for themselves: they benefit from being part of a brand with systems and procedures to help them succeed, thus being in business for themselves but not by themselves."

In light of recent attacks on the franchise model, it's appropriate and timely Catherine Monson join co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto on Franchise Today to discuss issues affecting what Catherine refers to as the most effective business model to help people get into business for themselves - franchising. Catherine shares her perspective on two key issues - NLRB joint employer ruling and $15/hr minimum-wage and the ripple effect both have or will have on franchise growth for products and services brands. As FastSigns is experiencing significant growth in international markets, Catherine also shares her insight on [similar] issues facing franchisors abroad. 

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.

"Minimum-Wage Issue Exerts Maximum Impact On Restaurant Industry" was a recent headline on Forbes.com and is the concern of many restaurant industry professionals including those of franchise brands with tens, hundreds and thousands of locations nationwide. Rising wages will force price increases across the menu. Brands have already begun to push their prices up as their labor costs have risen, either from mandated or expected hikes to the minimum wage or from costs associated with health care coverage. In addition, several national brands have already begun to roll out self-order kiosks to reduce labor.

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome long-time franchise and restaurant industry professional, Lynette McKee. With over two decades experience at Dunkin Brands, Burger King, Dennys, Checkers and Metromedia Restaurant Group, Lynette shares her perspective from the inside out of a labor-intensive industry that has already seen rising costs and declining profits. With a wealth of experience and time committed to education and leadership programs, Lynette also shares her insight on creating opportunities for minorities and women in food service and franchising.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes.