In this powerful episode of the Jake and Gino podcast, Gino Barbaro sits down with Cliff Nonnenmacher—franchise mogul, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of Franosity. From raking golf balls as a kid to franchising 36+ units and flipping underperforming brands into million-dollar exits, Cliff's story is a masterclass in hustle, mindset, and smart investing.
They dive into:
- Who should (and shouldn’t) buy a franchise
- How failing franchises became Cliff’s goldmine
- The importance of mindset and your relationship with money
- What franchisors are REALLY looking for
- The hottest franchise categories to invest in right now (and the ones to avoid)
Whether you're a seasoned business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or investor looking to diversify into scalable models, this episode delivers unmatched insight and value.
As Cliff says: "Franchising is a license to collapse time and build wealth—if done right."
Learn more at:https://franocity.com/
Cliff's Podcast: Pursuit of Profit — Only interviewing franchise founders!
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YouTube Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:07 - Cliff’s Wild Journey from Water Sports to Wall Street
06:02 - Who Shouldn’t Buy a Franchise
10:28 - Money Mindset: Respect It or Repel It
16:57 - What to Look for in a Franchise (Beyond the Brand)
24:59 - Why Cliff Is Anti-Food & What Industries Are Booming
28:32 - Home Services, Biohacking, Pets & the Silver Tsunami
37:17 - Franchise Startup Costs and Ongoing Fees
49:20 - How to Scale a Franchise the Smart Way
52:10 - Leasing Traps & Site Selection Strategies
56:31 - How to Get Started with Buying or Franchising a Business
01:02:01 - Gino Wraps it Up