From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

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Join Michelle Rowan and Anthony Byrd in this episode of "From A to Franchisee" as they unravel the complexities of SBA loans for franchise buyers. Discover how SBA loans serve as a government-backed security for banks, making it easier for new businesses to secure funding. Anthony Byrd, a seasoned expert in franchising and SBA lending, dispels common myths about these loans and highlights recent changes in guidelines, including citizenship requirements and the SBA directory. Learn practical tips for preparing loan applications and explore financial strategies, such as combining retirement funds with SBA loans. Empower your franchise journey with this insightful discussion!

Resources

• Read: Should I Get An SBA Loan for Franchise Financing?
• Listen: Franchise Funding Options
• Read: Crowdfunding for Business: Should I Use it to Fund My Franchise?
• Our Franchise Financing Resource Center
• Discover Your "Fundability" with our Finance Calculator
• Read: A Guide to Rollovers for Business Startups (ROBS)

**We are grateful to work with Benetrends. They offer sound financial advice and have been in the world of franchising for decades, just like us!

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Unlock the secrets of top-performing franchisees in this insightful episode. Discover how these leaders achieve consistent success, even in challenging markets, by treating their franchise like a CEO-run business and following proven systems. Join Allison Dudas from Franchise Business Review as she shares real stories from award-winning franchisees across various industries, revealing the key patterns that set them apart.

Learn how successful franchisees hire smarter, foster an ownership mindset, and engage authentically with their communities. This episode highlights the importance of system adherence, resilience, and community involvement as growth strategies. Whether you're exploring franchising or looking to elevate your business, gain actionable insights to avoid pitfalls and accelerate your journey.

Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned franchisees, this episode equips you with the mindset and tactics to grow confidently and sustainably. Discover what separates good franchisees from the best in the world.

Resources

• The Franchisee Excellence Awards - winners, and their stories, found here.
• Read: We've got tons of Franchisee Profiles for you to check out.
• Top 200 Franchises of 2026
• Read: How To Use Our Data

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Discover what it’s really like to join a franchise in its early stages through the firsthand insights of Tom Winspear. Learn about the advantages, challenges, and strategies for success when entering an emerging brand, plus tips on assessing and building a strong franchise community.

Resources

• Listen: Announcing the Top 200 Franchises of 2026
• Listen: Understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document
• Listen: The Pros and Cons of Franchise Ownership
• Read: What to Know Before Investing in a Franchise

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In this episode, Ashley Vetek shares her journey from military service to successful multi-unit franchise owner of Tutu School, focusing on the unique opportunities and challenges in the children’s enrichment space. Whether you're considering entering this sector or interested in franchise ownership, Ashley's insights are invaluable.

Resources

• Listen: Industry Spotlight on Child Enrichment Franchisees: Mobile Franchise
• Listen: Industry Spotlight on Tutoring Franchisee
• Listen: Women in Franchising, The Rise of Female Franchisees
• Top Franchises for Women
• Top Franchises for Veterans
• Read: Air Force Veteran Turned Franchisee with New Again Houses
• Read: Veteran Brothers in Franchising with Kitchen Tune-Up

*This episode is NOT sponsored, but Tutu School is one of our award-winners. This means they survey their franchisees with us. It's with that data they make our lists!

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This episode delves into the role of a franchise business consultant (FBC), featuring guest Maria Heatherington from Massage Luxe. The discussion highlights the FBC's role as a strategic partner and coach for franchise owners, helping them operate smoothly and profitably while aligning with the brand. Maria shares insights into her journey from managing a tanning salon franchise to becoming a district manager and eventually an FBC. The conversation covers the importance of setting clear goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and the value of early and frequent communication with FBCs to prevent issues. Maria emphasizes the significance of culture and trust in fostering successful franchise operations and offers advice for prospective franchisees on choosing the right franchise and understanding the support they will receive.

Resources:

• Vision Plan for Franchise Operations (Michelle mentions this)
• Listen: The Importance of Training and Support in a Franchise System
• The Value of a Strong Support System in PuroClean
• Read some franchisee profiles to see how training and support, specifically FBCs, lead to success. 
• Listen: Discovery Days

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In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan interviews Carli Sonntag, a franchise owner in the tutoring space, specifically with Mathnasium. Carli shares her journey from working in media and teaching to owning a franchise, highlighting the blend of business acumen and mission-driven goals that led her to this path. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running a tutoring franchise, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, marketing, and the need for a strong work ethic. Carli also offers insights into the operational aspects of her business, including staffing, marketing strategies, and the significance of maintaining a balance between personal involvement and business growth. The conversation provides valuable lessons for potential franchise owners, underscoring the need for passion, commitment, and adaptability in the education franchise industry.

*This episode is not sponsored by Mathnasium But we do encourage you to check out their data as they have their franchisee satisfaction report available on our site. 

Resources

• Top Education Franchises based on Franchisee Satisfaction Surveys
• A Typical Day for a Mathnasium Franchisee
• Why Jobs in Supplemental Education Pay Off
• Listen: The Importance of Training and Support in a Franchise System
• Listen: Industry Spotlight on Child Enrichment Franchisees

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In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan speaks with representatives from two distinct franchise systems about the importance of training and support. First up is Scott Koepf from Cruise Planners, a home-based travel franchise. Secondly, Steven Schenck shares his perspective from 360clean, a commercial cleaning franchise.

They discuss the initial training brands may offer, and the ongoing support franchisees can receive from corporate. These experts offer tips for what training and support to look for if you're investing in a franchise. The better training and support a franchise system offers its franchisees, the more successful those franchisees will become. 

Resources

• Watch the Webinar: Extensive Training for Franchisees Leads to Success
• Profile of a Franchisee: How Hands-On Training Helped Launch a Top Recruiting Franchise
• What Is Discovery Day and How to Prepare for It
• Listen: How Different Brands Do Discovery Day

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Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Paige Robinson Dosch, VP Franchise Resales, Unleashed Brands

The podcast episode features Michelle Rowan and Paige Robinson Dosch discussing the intricacies of buying and selling franchise businesses. Paige, the VP of Franchise Resales at Unleashed Brands, shares her expertise on the benefits and challenges of acquiring existing franchises versus starting new ones. The conversation highlights the importance of having a clear exit strategy from the beginning, understanding the operational and financial aspects of a franchise, and the value of being part of a supportive franchise network. They also discuss the role of franchisors in maintaining brand integrity and the various factors that influence the decision to buy or sell a franchise, such as lifestyle changes and market opportunities.

Resources

• Podcast Episode: Consider an Exit Before Investing in a Franchise
• Podcast Episode: Understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document
• The Five Most Important Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Franchise
• The Top 200 Franchises of 2026 based on franchisee satisfaction.
• Watch: Navigating Franchise Financing with Benetrends Financial

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Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Allison Dudas, B2C Senior Marketing Manager at Franchise Business Review

Episode Summary

In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review, unveils the much-anticipated "FBR's Top 200 Franchises of 2026." This exclusive list is unique in the franchising world as it is based entirely on the satisfaction of real franchise owners. The episode delves into the methodology behind the rankings, highlighting the importance of franchisee feedback and the rigorous criteria used to evaluate brands. With insights from Allison Dudas, FBR's B2C Marketing Manager, the discussion covers the diverse range of franchises that made the list, from legacy brands to emerging players. It emphasizes the significance of franchisee satisfaction and unit profitability as key indicators of success. The episode also explores the evolving landscape of franchising, with a focus on the growing trend of multi-unit ownership. Allison and Michelle also dispense advice on how to pick the right franchise investment for you. 

Resources

• The Top 200 Franchises of 2026 (according to franchisee satisfaction surveys)
• Who Is Franchise Business Review? (our first podcast episode)
• Video: Five Steps to Owning a Franchise
• How Much Money Can You Make Owning a Franchise? (S1E14)
• Franchise Term Glossary
• Researching Franchises? How to Use FBR's Data

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Host: Michelle Rowan of Franchise Business Review
Guest: Madeleine Zook, CMO | Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchisee

Summary:

In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Madeleine Zook delve into the crucial role of talking to franchisees before investing in a franchise investment. Madeleine emphasizes that speaking with current franchisees provides invaluable insights into the realities of running a franchise, beyond what franchisors can legally disclose. This dialogue helps potential franchisees understand the financial and time commitments involved, as well as the challenges and successes experienced by others. By learning from both high-performing and struggling franchisees, prospective buyers can make more informed decisions, ensuring they align their expectations with the realities of franchise ownership. The episode underscores that thorough due diligence, including these conversations, is essential for making a sound investment.

Resources:

• 10 Questions to Ask a Franchisor if you're considering investing.
• How to Evaluate ROI before investing in a franchise
• Understanding the FDD: Podcast Episode 9.
• What Makes A Good Franchisee?: Podcast Episode 8
• The Importance of Franchisee Satisfaction: Podcast Episode 7
• Who is FBR?: Podcast Episode 1
• What Do You Need to Start a Franchise? Your Due Diligence Checklist

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Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com
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