What happens when you're literally born into franchising?

In this episode of How I Franchised This, Alex sits down with GR Waldrop—a second-generation operator who grew up making subs at Jersey Mike’s and now runs a growing portfolio that includes 19+ locations, a Dairy Queen, and a new deal with Vicious Biscuit.

They talk legacy, leadership, and what it really takes to scale from 1 to 20 units—and beyond. GR shares why your first store should be run like you already have three, how he’s preparing to open his first 3,000 sq ft full-service brunch spot, and what most people completely misunderstand about royalties, playbooks, and the “people business” behind every successful franchise.

Whether you're a first-time operator or eyeing your tenth brand, this one’s packed with hard-won insight.

👀 Looking for your perfect franchise fit? Start your journey at Franzy.com

Taylor Byington and Shideler Bennett went from pitching insurance door-to-door to opening nine Crumbl Cookies locations across three states.

In this episode, they share their unconventional path into franchising, including a failed startup, a surprise introduction to Crumbl, and what happened when they realized they were hundreds of thousands in the red. From living on couches to laying tile themselves, Taylor and Shy break down how they clawed their way back, what they learned about financing (and mis-financing), and why their new startup, Cover Panda, is built to help other operators scale smarter.

👉 Explore franchise opportunities at Franzy.com

Jon Bahr didn’t come from food service. He came from real estate finance. But after bingeing franchise podcasts and hearing Dan Reese pitch Milkshake Factory, he and his wife took the leap, signing a three-unit deal while juggling a new baby and no prior restaurant experience.

In this episode, Jon shares how he:

Went from franchise curious to all-in with Milkshake Factory

Navigated site selection, build-out headaches, and opening chaos

Built a team that crushed their grand opening with record sales

Balances 90-hour weeks with newborn life—and why he loves it

You’ll also hear Jon’s advice for first-time buyers, what most people get wrong about franchising, and why passion has to play a role in your decision.

👉 Explore franchises like Milkshake Factory at Franzy.com

Parker Feldmann didn’t plan on running a kids’ fitness franchise—he was working 20-hour shifts at Tesla when he and his wife started rethinking their future. A friend introduced them to KidStrong, and just over a year later, they opened their first location in Reno.

In this episode, Parker shares how his Air Force and engineering background shaped his approach to business ownership, what it was really like launching with a newborn at home, and how he’s planning for location #2. You’ll hear his take on hiring the right GM early, dealing with post-launch doubts, and why passion—not just profit—matters in franchising.

👉 Explore franchise opportunities like KidStrong at Franzy.com

Bryant Cohen didn’t set out to run a window cleaning business—he started by managing a private equity fund focused on small business acquisitions. But after one deal fell through, he jumped in himself, launching a Pink’s Window Services franchise in Charlotte.

In this episode, Bryant shares how he went from fund manager to full-time operator, what it was like launching in the off-season, and how he broke even just six months in. You’ll hear his take on choosing franchising over independent ownership, how he built his team, and what it really takes to succeed as a first-time franchisee.

👉 Explore franchise opportunities like Pink’s at Franzy.com

From Audit Decks to Mosquito Vans: Ian Martens on Taking the Leap into Franchising

In this episode, Franzy co-founder Alex Smereczniak sits down with Ian Martens, a 25-year-old who walked away from a fast-track career at EY to launch a MosquitoNix franchise in Charlotte. Ian didn’t set out to become a franchisee—but when the right team and opportunity came along, he decided to bet on himself and make the leap.

He shares what it was really like to go from IT audits to door hangers, why he believes customer service is the real differentiator in home services, and how simple, scrappy marketing tactics like yard signs and van branding are driving real results. Ian gets candid about the emotional highs and lows of his first few months in business—and the mindset shift it took to fully commit.

We also unpack some of the biggest misconceptions about franchising, especially the idea that franchisees aren’t local owners. Ian makes the case for why franchising can be a powerful way to build something of your own—without doing it completely alone.

Want help finding the right franchise for you? Head to Franzy.com to get started.

Jeff and Samantha Gossett weren’t planning to start a business—until an Instagram ad for KidStrong changed everything. They share how they left teaching and sales to open their own franchise, what Discovery Day was really like, and how they’re building a business as both partners and parents. If you're thinking about franchise ownership, this is a must-listen.

Find your fit at Franzy.com.