FranchiseU!

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Joe Thornton from Scooter’s Coffee. Thornton shares Scooter’s Coffee unique franchise concept based on their deep, organization-wide values. Thornton further shares how Scooters Coffee uses technology and loyalty programs to build community.

Joe Robert Thornton is an experienced senior executive with more than 39 years of experience in large-scale operations, human resources, and strategic leadership.

In his current role, Joe serves as President of Scooter’s Coffee, a fast-growing coffee drive-thru business based in Omaha, Nebraska. Joe leads the day-to-day business and leads the chief officers of marketing, operations, development, and legal.

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Damien Dwin from Lafayette Square. Dwin shares his research-based perspective on capital investment and how non-traditional investment can make Capitalism work better for every US citizen.

Damien Dwin is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lafayette Square, a national investment platform. Founded in November 2020, Lafayette Square aims to create investment opportunities in overlooked places and underserved markets. Lafayette Square invests across asset classes and seeks to provide robust risk-adjusted returns to investors while positively supporting people and communities. By increasing access to economic opportunity, we can build a more inclusive American economy.

Previously, Dwin served as Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Brightwood Capital Advisors from its founding in 2010 to October 2020.

Dwin began his career as a trader with Goldman Sachs, New York & London, there earning the Michael P. Mortara Award for Innovation. He then further developed his investment expertise working for Credit Suisse, where he was the Co-Founder and Head of the North American Special Opportunities business until 2010. At Credit Suisse, Dwin also served on the Vice President Selection Committee and led the Fixed Income Division Credit Training Program.

Dwin is an active thought leader on mass incarceration, economic inclusion, racial justice and representation, and the use of purpose and profit for good. He has written for Entrepreneur and Inc.com.

Dwin currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Vera Institute of Justice. He also serves on the non-profit boards of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Hospital of Philadelphia, Studio Museum in Harlem, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Woodberry Forest School, and Boys’ Club of New York.

Dwin received a B.S./B.A. from Georgetown University where he later served two terms on the Board of Regents.

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Tara Riley from Fresh Coat Painters. Riley shares how having a specific niche and a proven method for acquiring new customers make for a replicable, reliable process to see success in business. With over 35 years of executive management and operations experience in franchising, Riley’s greatest success lies in creating profitable growth for franchise owners. Taking over as President of Fresh Coat in 2014, Riley has helped to triple franchise average unit volume and nearly quadruple total revenues in just under eight years. Prior to her experience with Fresh Coat, Riley lead teams in a variety of business models including home improvement, personal services, and restaurants. Riley’s broad experience working within global franchise icons such as McDonald’s as well as in much younger high-growth brands, including Sport Clips, NHance Wood Renewal and Comfort Keepers has provided her with an arsenal of creative ideas for growth and scaling. As an experienced business owner, Riley understands the challenges and fears new business owners face and has a passion for helping franchisees push through to success. This experience is instrumental in leading Fresh Coat on a continued path of growth and quest to be the largest painting brand in the world. Riley has a B.B.A in Management from Texas A&M University, an M.B.A. in Finance from Kennesaw State University (Georgia) and is a Certified Franchise Executive. In her free time, Riley volunteers with St Vincent de Paul and loves cooking, golfing, and touring back roads on her motorcycle with her best friend and companion, Steve.

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Dom Rubino from Profit Tool Belt Podcast. Rubino shares amazing tips and tricks from his experience as a franchisee, franchisor, business coach, and successful podcaster. Rubino is a serial entrepreneur and business coach specializing in the construction and trades business. He has built and sold multiple companies, including 2 multi-million and international companies. He was also the previous Global Master Franchisor for a professional services brand. When he purchased that company, it had six units when it was sold it had 237 globally.

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Eli Bensignor from Lathrop GPM. Bensignor responses to questions about the different aspects of franchise law that impact both franchisor and franchisee operations. Bensignor dedicates his practice to franchise, distribution, and licensing matters. He counsels emerging and seasoned franchisors across the U.S. on day-to-day matters, including analyzing and drafting agreements and commercial contracts, advising on regulatory compliance, and filing registrations. Bensignor also represents buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions of franchise systems and multi-unit franchisees, including private equity backed deals. 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 FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Morgan Merrill and Sarah Shanks with SRS Real Estate Partners. Merrill and Shanks talk about options that franchisees can leverage to create capitol to expand their businesses. Merrill is a licensed CPA, a KY real estate broker and an University of Louisville College of Business graduate. Merrill currently specializes in restaurant investment sales nationwide and is a Finance Officer on the Board of Directors for Friends School of Louisville. She is mother to Alexandria and Baby Boy coming in October, 2023. Shanks is a CPA that started her career in Tax at Deloitte. She moved to Yum! Brands' Tax Department and then to KFC specifically to work directly with franchisees. Shanks left KFC to pursue brokerage (real estate mostly) with SRS to help franchisees in a way she could not inside of the franchisor. Shanks has been with SRS for 5 years, in partnership with Morgan Merrill.

In today’s episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy sits down with Christopher Seman with Strategic Franchising. Seman’s successful career demonstrates how staying focused on a franchisee’s desires benefits everyone, regardless of brand. Before Seman’s success leading Strategic Franchising he previously served in various senior executive positions, including President of Caring Transitions, and Vice President with Mr. Handyman International. Seman is a firm believer in franchising and the franchise model, having gained this belief through his experience as a franchise executive and by owning his own franchise. Seman owned and operated a successful Mr. Handyman franchise and knows firsthand the critical importance of having a world-class training, marketing, and operational support programs in place for franchise owners at all levels of the system. After five years of amazing growth and success with Caring Transitions, Seman was promoted to COO/President of Strategic Franchising Systems to help spread his ideas and proven systems across all five Strategic Franchising brands.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Julie Canseco with Main Squeeze Juice Bar. Canseco’s career history demonstrates her passion for health. Canseco currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Main Squeeze Juice Co., previously serving as the Vice President of Operations and In-House Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist. Canseco brings nutrition and operations experience from her previous position of Nutritionist and Marketing/Operations Dietitian with Eat Fit Nola, a non-profit restaurant-partnership program offered by Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, LA before joining Main Squeeze Juice Co.® in August 2017. Canseco worked with Eat Fit Nola from April 2016 to August 2017 and during her tenure increased participating restaurant partners from 45 to over 150 partners, and secured over 1 million dollars in grant funding to expand Eat Fit programs throughout the state of Louisiana, in partnership with Ochsner Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Prior to Eat Fit Nola, Canseco worked at East Jefferson Family Practice, as their Nutrition Program Manager from August 2014 to April 2016. Before East Jefferson Family Practice, Canseco attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA from August 2009 to May 2013, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics. After LSU, Canseco attended the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine’s Dietetic Internship Program in New Orleans, LA, and obtained her Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist license in August 2014.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Colette Bell with Ace Handyman Services. Bell’s career history demonstrates how franchising a successful business can offer amazing opportunities for both the franchisor and the franchisee. Listen and hear Bell’s success story which includes being a 24-year entrepreneur who co-founded Handyman Matters with her husband. They franchised the business in 2001 and sold to Ace Hardware in 2019.

In today’s episode of Franchise U!, Kathy sits down with Eric Maas with Complete Weddings + Events. Maas career demonstrates how franchising facilitates the creation of intergenerational wealth. Listen and hear how you can spend your entire career serving others on one of the most memorial days of their lives. Following in the footsteps of his father, Maas has done it all at Complete. From DJ, owning his own franchise, operations director at the corporate support office, and now CEO. It’s been Maas’s vision that scaled his dad’s franchise to see the growth and success the company experiences today. Complete Weddings + Events is now in over 190 units across North America and is consistently named as one of Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchises.