FranchiseU!

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Scott Oaks with Scoop Soldiers. Oaks franchising career demonstrates his belief in the franchising model and its potential financial impact on a family. Listen and hear the thread that runs throughout Oaks’s entire career. Scott Oaks is a senior level franchise development professional with over 20 years of experience working within all segments of franchising with a proven track record of success in franchise sales. Oaks has developed franchise development messaging, branding, and recruiting practices that directly impacted in positive franchise growth. Oaks is currently working as VP of Franchise Development for Scoop Soldiers, a veteran-themed pet waste removal franchise, after serving as Director of Franchise Development at FirstLight Home Care for 4 years. Oaks previously worked with several brands to help them with franchise development and lead generation strategies utilizing the 1851 platform. Oaks also served as Vice President of Franchise Development for BrightStar Care. I worked to strengthen their relationships with their broker partners, bring in new franchisees, and guide existing franchisees through the transfer process. At Wireless Zone, Oaks brought in over 80 individual franchise stores through good qualification, relationship management, and a recruiting "a good quality franchisee mindset". Oaks also led their conversion initiative of converting existing retailers into the franchise. A key asset in the growth of Wireless Zone from 250 stores to over 450 stores. Prior to Wireless Zone, Oaks was Director of Franchise Development for Handyman Connection, a home improvement franchise where he oversaw the revamping of their franchise development process, messaging, marketing, and advertising strategy. Oaks has spent the previous 5 years in sales management and marketing roles in the printing press manufacturing industry.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Terri Harof with Workout Anytime. Mrs. Harof shares how her passion for fitness and her business experience prepared her for her career in Franchising. Listen and hear which accomplishment gives Mrs. Harof the most pride. Terri Harof’s mantra is, “Attitude is everything and hard work always pays off.” She is an inspiring leader with 30 years of senior level expertise in hospitality, sales & marketing and business development. As Global Director of Franchise Sales and Chief Brand Believer at Workout Anytime (workoutanytimefranchise.com), her responsibilities include driving the domestic & international growth of the great brand. She has been married to her husband, Doug, for 26 years and they have three amazing sons (Chase - Graduate / Athlete: UGA; Carson -Sophomore at GA Tech; Cole - Senior and Varsity baseball & football player at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School); 1 dog and 1 crazy cat. Their days are spent cheering on the boys, traveling, entertaining, gardening, coaching and one of her biggest passions is helping people by teaching group fitness classes, which she has done since college!

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Blas Escarcega with Pollo Campero. Mr. Escarcega shares how his work history in accounting prepared him for his career in franchising. Listen and hear what Mr. Escarcega thinks is so unique about Pollo Campero. Blas Escarcega serves as the Director of Franchise Development for Pollo Campero, the world's largest Central American chicken chain. Escarcega, a Dallas-based restaurant financial executive, spent the bulk of his career guiding those in the restaurant industry to a path of profitability via performance management, strategic planning, accounting and business intelligence.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Brianna Keefe with Toastique. Ms. Keefe shares how her unique idea for a low-cost healthy restaurant became a true franchising opportunity. She further explains how Toastique maintains a tight-knit, close franchisor/franchisee environment. Click below to listen to the episode and make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Bryan Park with Footprints Floors. Mr. Park shares how his career in franchising began by accident. He further talks about how he built his franchise into a Franchise Magazine Top 500 Company. Brian Park’s Biographical Information Upon Mr. Park’s return to Littleton, Colorado, after serving in the U.S. Air Force, he noticed that Denver’s flooring industry lacked a higher level of customer service and sophistication. So, in 2008, he founded Footprints Floors, which today specializes in installing hardwood floors, tile floors, backsplashes and laminates. With more than 160 territories, Footprints Floors offers franchisees a robust support system, including a call center, flexible hours for work-life balance and a low cost of entry with outstanding economics.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with University of Louisville College of Business students Caroline Thomas and Nima Agsari about their experience at the recent International Franchise Association’s 2023 Convention. Caroline Thomas is a junior at the University of Louisville majoring in Marketing and minoring in Political Science. She has previously taken MGMT 409: Franchise Human Resources & Leading Teams and is currently taking MGMT 413: Franchise Growth & Support. She is from Bardstown, KY! Nima Agsari is a current senior biology major at UofL with a minor in business management. He is also a current Real Estate Professional at Homepage Realty.

In this episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Main Line Brands CEO Chris Buitron to discuss his passion for Franchising and the unique services and businesses managed by Main Line Brands. Chris Buitron joins Main Line Brands as CEO, bringing decades of experience in various franchise industries from gasoline/convenience store franchising to Big Five consulting to home health care services marketing. His background includes Chief Marketing Officer for Senior Helpers, Vice President of Marketing for Direct Energy (Home services division) and Director of Marketing for Sunoco Inc., where he supported the company’s 4,700 franchised and company-owned retail facilities across 23 states (over $15B in annual revenues). When Chris isn’t in the office, you find him spending time with his two children and friends. He also enjoys traveling, playing sports, and watching movies. Click below to listen to the episode and make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

Jillyan Morris has been in the franchising world for over a decade. As a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician, she started out at Massage Envy and worked as an operating partner at PROSE Nails. Now venturing in the fitness world, she acts as the liaison between the franchisees and our corporate office. In her role she is responsible for supporting franchisees and helping to increase unit-level profitability and efficiency. Enjoy the episode and make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

Michael is a Senior Healthcare Franchising Executive with over 20 years of experience executing on organic and acquisition growth strategies in a Private Equity environment. Multi-disciplined leader who drives change through influence at all levels of an organization. • Experience as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in an international home care franchise company • 5 Years of Business Unit Leadership (strategy and full P&L responsibility) • Demonstrated success in both organic and acquisition growth strategies internationally • Extensive experience in M&A from due diligence through integration • Multi-site healthcare management

Adam is the President of HomeTeam. He has been with HomeTeam for over 15 years and has an extensive technology and marketing background. Adam is a results-oriented leader that implements the strategic vision for HomeTeam. He is committed to the growth of the company and focuses his efforts on developing new opportunities and strengthening relationships with regional and national partners. Click below to listen to the episode and make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.