Franchise Today

"Today, I pay it forward by offering my perspective, experience, advice, and connections to select franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers so that they can “see what they don’t see” and achieve their highest levels of success." - John "Johnny Franchise" Francis

This week on Franchise Today, John Francis, aka Johnny Franchise joins co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto to discuss his perspective on issues threatening franchising as we know it today. As a Board Member and advisor to a number of prominent franchise organizations and a wealth of experience as a former franchisee and franchisor, John shares his point of view from both the executive suite and front line. Having grown up in the franchise industry, John focuses on "franchising done right" and today helps franchise organizations see what they don't see. He will do the same on Franchise Today, helping industry professionals (show listeners) see what they don't [or might not be able to] see.

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

"Begin your discovery and become a student of franchising while you are following the path to launching and growing your franchis system." These powerful words by Shelly Sun from her book, Grow Smart Risk Less are much more than advice for others. They're words Sun continues to live by as she has truly become a student of franchising (and teacher and advocate) and the success of her brand, BrightStar Care is evidence of her commitment to sustainable and sensible franchising.

This week on Franchise Today, co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto discuss with Shelly Sun the trials and tribulations of becoming a world-class franchisor. In addition to improving unit-economics and growing BrightStar beyond US borders, Shelly also focuses on issues affecting franchising such as recent NLRB ruling on 3rd party employers and $15 per hour minimum wage, and the reasons behind her generosity of both time and resources to causes and industry events alike. As 2009 IFA Entrepreneur of the Year, Shelly also shares her thoughts on entrepreneurship, a timely subject as this week's show airs during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

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

NFL veteran Michael Stone and Franchise Today co-host/franchise industry veteran Stan Friedman, co-founders of (PAFI) The Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative, now in it's 7th year, will talk with Franchise Today co-host, Paul Segreto about recent athlete/franchisee successes and what’s on the horizon at PAFI. 

Join us as we discuss how franchisors, athletes and suppliers have all come together to successfully advance the business model of pro athletes in franchising.  Tune in as we discuss how up and coming, twilight year and even retired veterans of the court or field can trade in their play books for Ops. Manuals and keep producing wealth and legacy through franchising.  FRANCHISING: the ONLY game these athletes play, that NEVER GOES OUT OF SEASON!  In addition, Mike and Stan will preview some new ideas on the horizon that PAFI is exploring with Expos like those produced by MFV, Franchise Update’s Multi-Unit Conference and of course, PAFI’s own 7th Annual Franchise Summit during the spring of 2016, in Atlanta.  

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

"How to get everything you want without waiting a lifetime" is the tag line for the New York Times best-seller, Secrets of the Young and Successful, co-authored by Jennifer Kushell. It's also the underlying message this week's guest on Franchise Today shares with young entrepreneurs everywhere... and we do mean, everywhere.

Jennifer Kushell, founder and CEO of Young & Successful Media and YSN.com joins co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto, discussing the cause of economic empowerment among young adults and entrepreneurs and how franchising contributes to the same. The competitive program tied to franchising, is NextGen - A New Generation in Franchising, of which Jennifer is a driving force, working hand-in-hand with the International Franchise Association in this the second year of the global competition.

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

Helping to change the basic way decisions are made through data and analysis that are timely, objective and helpful. FRANdata has a big vision: To positively impact decisions at all levels of the franchise industry.

This week on Franchise Today, Ron Feldman, Chief Development Officer of FRANdata shares his perspective on the future of franchising. Discussing the various challenges facing franchising including escalating minimum wages and joint employer decisions, Feldman focuses on how these challenges may adversely affect franchise organizations of all sizes. He also shares his thoughts on unit-economics and its effect on franchise finance.

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

With 22 years of business ownership and management experience and work in the medical industry, two aspiring entrepreneurs decided to open a pizza franchise in Fort Worth, Texas. The husband and wife team knew that in order to turn their aspirations into a reality they would need to secure financing. “We have been open for business for about two months now, and it would not have been possible without the financing we secured through BoeFly,” said a partner. “The process was clear and extremely efficient, and it allowed us to establish a relationship with a nearby bank that is funding our loan.” 

This week's special guest on Franchise Today is Mike Rozman, CEO and Founder of BoeFly. Mike discusses how BoeFly puts small businesses in control of their financial future via a step-by-step approach that helps business owners complete an effective loan request and match their business to the right lenders. Rozman also shares his insight on current state of business finance and how business owners can best position themselves ahead of needing capital for startup, acquisition or expansion.

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

"If only we could attract the right candidates to our franchise opportunity." This is a very familiar statement made by many franchise professionals. Truly, they couldn't be more spot-on, or could they? This week on Franchise Today co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto are joined by Rebecca Monet, President and Chief Scientist at Zoracle Profiles.Rebecca discusses how Zoracle provides science-based and market-validated profiling tools, including its Spot-on! Profile for the franchise marketplace. Further, she will discuss how Zoracle does not use personality tests and explains how its meta-analysis approach uses 5 complementary sciences within a single tool thus providing greater accuracy and predictability.

Rebecca Monet has been in the franchise consulting and psychometric assessment business since 1993. Much like her mentor Dr. Douglas Jackson of Sigma Assessment Systems, Monet is known for her uncanny ability to draw performance correlations. She is fascinated with neurology and human performance as it relates to business success. The Zoracle Profiling System is Monet’s most comprehensive and predictive work to date. Prior to joining Zoracle Profiles, Rebecca had founded Proven Match.

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

As a major credit card company clains, membership has its privileges and the same should be said about membership in the International Franchise Association. Especially at a time when franchising continues to be under attack at local, state and federal levels like never before. This week on Franchise Today co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto are joined by Paul Rocchio, Senior Director of Development and Member Services at the International Franchise Association. Rocchio will share his insight on why it's more important than ever before to be an active member of the IFA, recent leadership changes at the IFA and what members can expect for 2016.

Paul Rocchio joined the IFA staff in March of 1999 as Manager of Grassroots and Political Education, and was promoted in 2001 and again in 2013 to his current position as Senior Director of Development and Member Services. Paul is responsible for the retention and recruitment of new members while creating continued value-added benefits and services to existing members. He staffs the IFA Supplier Forum Advisory Board and assists with the Membership Committee.

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

"Love your neighbor as yourself." That is what is defined as the simple mission of Christian Brothers Automotive and one that has helped them drive franchise success since it began franchising in 1996. This week on Franchise Today, Josh Wall, Vice President Franchise and Strategic Development for Christian Brothers will join show co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto to discuss how building upon a culture of faith and "nice differences" has helped the brand become one of America’s fastest growing full service automotive repair franchises with 150 locations in 20 states and another 35 awarded and in development. 

Franchise Today airs LIVE every Wednesday at 11AM CT / 12PM ET. Each show is available on-demand on iTunes. Franchise Today is also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FranchiseToday.

Ever since he operated a single store in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Jersey Mike’s founder, Peter Cancro has believed in giving back to the community. His passion for helping others has resonated throughout the Jersey Mike’s system, resulting in an incredible outpouring of local giving and community support from Jersey Mike’s stores across the country. This week on Franchise Today, Brian Sommers, Vice-president of Jersey Mike's Subs shares his perspective about the culture that has catapulted Jersey Mike's Subs into one of America's fastest growing franchise brands. Brian's experience is unique as he has literally grown up in the brand, having started working in his teens at the brand's roots - the original store.

Franchise Today airs LIVE every Wednesday at 11AM CT / 12PM ET. Each show is available on-demand on iTunes. Franchise Today is also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FranchiseToday.