In an era where technology is advancing at lightning speed, franchisors must adapt or risk being left behind. Enter Jeremy Brazeal, a visionary from Reality Interactive, who who previously led groundbreaking consumer, digital engagement, and advertising work for global icons like The LEGO Group and The Coca-Cola Company. Now agency-side at Reality, he’s helping redefine how brands connect with customers through the power of AI and smart retail tools. Jeremy’s keen focus on using tech to cultivate customer affinity has propelled him to the cutting edge of AI innovation in franchising.

In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Jeremy reveals:

• How AI serves as an invisible but invaluable friend in driving customer loyalty

• The creative ways AI tools are boosting revenue streams in unexpected sectors

• Strategies for integrating AI seamlessly without overwhelming your budget

• Real-world examples of AI transforming the athletics industry through hyper-personalization

• Ways AI can refine the in-store experience and streamline customer interactions

On AI’s Role as a Brand's Best Friend

Jeremy Brazeal: “AI could very much have the person on the other side, the cashier, be AI. That cashier is also, to an extent, a nutritionist...So in the future world that is now, sometimes the cashier is a nutritionist.”

On Creating Value Through Technology

Jeremy Brazeal: “The big shift that's happened is really about the power of the hardware and then AI's ability to access a ton of data points at once...you want to have that conversation. It's personal. You want those solutions personalized to you.”

On Core Mission Focus

Jeremy Brazeal: "What is that mission that you're trying to accomplish that's going to differentiate you from your competitors? What is that core mission? And then if you're going to incorporate something like an AI tool, how does it help you achieve that core mission? And if it doesn't, don't do it."

Mike Hamra’s family legacy in the franchising industry spans generations. In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike joins Dan Rowe as he shares insights into his remarkable journey from practising law to leading a powerhouse in the franchise world.

In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike reveals:

• The Hamra family's journey as Wendy’s franchisees since 1975

• Growing a 200+ franchise empire across Wendy’s, Panera, and Noodles

• Investing in people and training to transform operations

• Family values and harmony as keys to multi-generational success

• Navigating the challenges and rewards of a family-owned business

  
  

On the Importance of Engaging Leadership

Mike: “You have to be a really strong leader, but you also have to manage. There's a difference between being a leader and somebody who's gonna manage your business. Managing your business is really creating a structure that things flow into the restaurant and get managed.”

On Building a Culture of Excellence

Mike: “We pay our student employees in high school and college to do their homework in our stores. That really drives a very different kind of culture inside our organization that, you know, you don't see across the industry.”

On the Future of Hamra Enterprises

Mike: “We're committed to a future of growth and continuing to develop or acquire markets where we can support people that work for us and their families. In ten years, we should be double in size, should be easily because we're getting to that size now where we can take bigger bites on acquisitions.”

How do you turn a small franchise into a massive empire?In this episode, Dan Rowe chats with Neel Bhargava, co-founder of NB Group, who’s reshaping the world of franchise investment with his unique multi-unit, multi-brand approach. Neel’s journey took him from the world of consulting and private equity to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur, scaling some of the most successful brands in the franchise space.In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Neel reveals:-How he invested in Crunch Fitness group that scaled from just 10 locations to over 65-The European Wax Center’s strategic growth and how it sparked huge expansion-Franchise investment: the pros and cons from a private equity perspective-Managing the complexities of team building, financial infrastructure, and making the right investmentsOn the Investment Strategy that Drove Exponential GrowthNeel: “You start with a platform business, and then you make add-on acquisitions to build it... Rolling up a couple of franchisees to get the volume and continue growth while managing the challenges of integrating various companies.”On Embracing the Franchising ChallengesNeel: “There are pros and cons to franchising... Some of the pros are less upfront thought and work required. There's a playbook that's been written for you... The negatives are, back to the playbook, the quality of that playbook varies and you don’t have control to really impact it.”On Leveraging Analytical Insight for SuccessNeel: “We aim to make at least three and a half times our money on every investment... Payback period on that new build CapEx is critical to determining how much we like a multi-unit concept.”

On today’s episode, we sit down with SG Ellison, the powerhouse behind a 360+ unit franchise empire and the first-ever Taco Bell Cantina.

SG didn’t scale by cutting corners—he scaled by investing in people, pushing innovation, and playing the long game. From buying his first 85 units to developing the highest volume Taco Bell in the world, SG’s story is a masterclass in thoughtful, purpose-driven growth.

In this episode, SG shares:

-How he built a 360-unit portfolio across multiple QSR brands

-The origin of Taco Bell Cantina and what made it work

-How he retains top leaders after major acquisitions

-What it means to grow with purpose—not just profit

-Why franchisees need a seat at the table in policy conversations

“Our purpose is to positively impact the lives of the team and the communities that we serve. And that's it.”

If you’re serious about scaling smart, leading with intention, and being the kind of franchisee brands fight to land, this episode is unmissable.

On today’s episode, we sit down with Amer Wahab, the operator behind one of the most impressive unit economics in fast casual—$5.3M in sales from a single Kettlemans Bagel location.

Amer built a powerhouse brand with industry-leading retention, a cult following, and a model that’s built to scale. Even through the darkest days of COVID, Kettlemans came out stronger, smarter, and more profitable than ever.
In this episode, Amer shares: 
- The exact systems behind his $5.3M AUV

- Why cash flow beats EBITDA in real-world operations
- How he slashed turnover to just 37% in an industry averaging 90%
- The power of “stay interviews” and culture-first leadership
- Why keeping things simple and consistent fuels growth
“COVID taught us a valuable lesson... EBITDA is important, but cash is king. When those things happen, you need cash.”

– Amer Wahab
If you're a franchisee, operator, or aspiring multi-unit owner, this episode is loaded with insights on how to build a business that scales without losing its soul.

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Noah Glass, the visionary founder of Olo, who turned an everyday frustration into a billion-dollar tech company that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry.

Nearly 20 years ago, Noah imagined a world where you could skip the coffee shop line and order food seamlessly from your phone. Today, Olo processes $26B annually and powers millions of restaurant transactions, helping brands build direct digital connections with their guests.

Noah dives into:

- The moment that sparked Olo’s billion-dollar journey

- How guest data is transforming customer loyalty & profitability

- Why pickup-only kitchens could be the future of dining

- How traditional restaurant brands are thriving with digital-first strategies

"We're enabling brands to personalize the guest experience and drive profitable traffic into their concepts, into their operators, into their franchisees." – Noah Glass

If you're a franchisee, franchisor, or entrepreneur in the restaurant space, this episode is a must-listen—packed with insights on scaling smarter, leveraging data, and building an enduring brand.

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Kathryn Chayka, the powerhouse who built massive success in franchise turnarounds, taking 12 struggling Wendy’s locations and making a multi-million dollar success story.

Fresh out of college, Kathryn took over a territory of underperforming Wendy’s stores in Quebec and added over $1M in new revenue per location. She’s proving that smart strategy, strong leadership, and local marketing can drive explosive franchise growth.

Kathryn shares the secrets behind her success, including:

- How she transformed struggling stores into high-revenue locations

- The power of empowering leadership and supportive teams

- Her community-first marketing strategies that boost both sales & loyalty

- Post-COVID operational shifts that improved efficiency and profitability

- Why learning from top-performing franchisees is key to long-term success

“Delivering value doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Customers want great deals on quality products—when they feel they’re getting value, sales follow.”

Whether you're a franchisee, franchisor, or an entrepreneur looking to scale, this episode is packed with game-changing insights from someone who’s built massive success in franchise turnarounds.

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Brian Beers, a franchise broker and entrepreneur who built a $45M franchise empire from scratch.

At just 37, Brian scaled his franchise portfolio of Midas shops to 33 locations, challenging the norms of franchising and proving that creativity, servant leadership, and strategic thinking can fuel explosive growth.

Brian shares the secret to his success including how mastermind groups helped accelerate his business, the importance of shifting from operations to strategy, and why aligning with the franchisor's long-term vision is critical to sustainable expansion.

Brian shares, “To truly grow a business, you have to replace yourself in operational roles. Hire, train, and empower your team to handle the day-to-day so you can focus on strategic expansion. It’s about progress, not perfection, letting go of control and trusting your people.”

Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with invaluable insights from someone who’s truly built it all from the ground up!

On today’s episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips, to talk about what it takes to build a legacy business in franchising.

Before leading one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, Steve started as a franchisee with a vision. Over the past 36 years, he’s helped transform Great Clips from 150 salons to over 4,450—all while keeping the business model simple, efficient, and franchisee-focused. His journey is a testament to the power of disciplined growth, strong relationships, and a commitment to what works.

Steve shares how the International Franchise Association (IFA) has helped protect and strengthen the franchising community, why staying laser-focused on haircuts has been a winning strategy, and how Great Clips has managed to avoid franchise litigation for nearly two decades. He also highlights the importance of franchisee involvement in decision-making through committees and task forces, fostering a culture of collaboration that has driven the brand’s success.

Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or just love a great business success story, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Ron Gardner’s journey from spinning records to spinning the wheels of justice is nothing short of extraordinary. As a former disc jockey turned trial lawyer, Ron has made a significant impact on the franchising world by protecting franchisees from fraud and unfair practices. Guided by his blue-collar upbringing, his mission is to support individuals striving to improve their circumstances, often against powerful franchisors.

In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Ron shares:

On Ron’s Motivation to Support Franchisees

Ron: “Growing up in a blue-collar family, I saw firsthand the struggles and aspirations of hardworking individuals. That fueled my desire to protect those who might not have the means to stand against powerful entities alone. They're not just clients; they’re people trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.”

On the Ripple Effects of Business Failure

Ron: “I’ve witnessed the devastating consequences of a failing franchise—financial ruin, strained personal relationships. It’s like a ripple effect, impacting every facet of a franchisee's life. It's why I emphasize the importance of fair agreements and thoughtful decision-making.”

On Franchisor’s Ethical Responsibility

Ron: “Ethical franchising is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. California's regulation 919 is a step in the right direction, and I believe other states will follow. Franchisors have a duty to foster trust and fairness. Only then can we truly achieve a win-win situation.”