Social Geek

Welcome to the first in a series of podcasts recorded at IFA 2026 that will be available for you on Social Geek, IFA’s Franchise Voice, The WFC’s Her Success, Franchise Freaks, and The Franchise News Podcast.

The Franchise Rock Stars are all together live and in person to share what they’ve seen so far at the event and how it affects their Franchising plans for 2026. Thanks Ali Kraus, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, Danielle Wright, Scott Greenberg.

Clint Smith, the Founder & CEO of CareerPlug, joins to discuss trends in hiring and retaining top talent in Franchising as well as highlights from his new book, The Franchise People Playbook.

Mitch Cohen is one the busiest guys in Franchising as a multi-unit multi-brand owner with Jersey Mike’s & Sola Salons; Advisor with Leap Brands & FranReal; Board Member with The IFA; and now the Chair of Multi-Unit Franchising Conference 2026. Mitch gives us a preview of MUFC, and we talk just a bit of hockey!

Shout outs to Jim Craig, Matt Haller, Len Fischer, Global Franchise, WFC, IFA, FUM

Thanks to today’s podcast sponsors AnswerConnect, Citrin Cooperman, and Thunderly.

Special Guests: Ali Kraus, Clint Smith, Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Mitch Cohen.

Who's going to have a bigger year: Restaurant IPOs or Fractional C-Suite?

The "it girl" of 2026 may be the Fractional C-Suite.

Join Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson for a conversation on IPOs and a bit of a debate on if Fractional workers can really be considered your C-Suite. 

Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

We went all-in on delivery, and now the pendulum is swinging back.

When you trade the dining room for grab-and-go, your labor model changes. Your ops change. Your customer changes. Before you know it, you look like a totally different brand.

I think a lot of brands are finally realizing they were never just selling food in new channels.

They were selling identity.

When I work with restaurants, I like to understand: what are you actually building, a distribution machine? Or a brand people choose, in every format, even when they have 40 other options and as many brand loyalty apps?

"Newstalgia" is bringing back the way it used to be, but for today's times. It's a flag that maybe we left a little too much behind in this age of the digital restaurant.

Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

The Franchise Rock Stars are back on Social Geek to share their tips and advice for navigating the International Franchise Association Convention and all business travel in 2026.

On the show today: Derrick Ableman, Ali Kraus, Scott Greenberg, and Kristen Pechacek with host Jack Monson.

Our tips include:

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and more

Thanks to today’s podcast sponsors who will all be joining us in Vegas: AnswerConnect at booth 611 / Citrin Cooperman at booth 834 / CareerPlug at booth 700 / Thunderly at booth 329. 

What’s a tip you would like to share from your experiences at IFA Conventions? Please share in the comments!

Links:

To join us at IFA 2026, please register asap at franchise.org

Download the IFA Events App

And for more podcasts, visit socialgeekradio.com

Special Guests: Ali Kraus, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Scott Greenberg.

So, Here's The Thing ...

Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson are chatting today about all of the things that get assigned the Marketers within a restaurant brand.

We're also keeping an eye on the use of Bitcoin as payments by some of our favorite brands including Steak 'n Shake 

Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

Today we’re announcing the winners of this year’s Franchise Thought Leadership Awards.

We’ll name the 10 Franchise Leaders are currently leading all of us in Franchising to more prosperity and growth by sharing their ideas, speaking up, putting out thoughtful content, getting people talking, and inspiring others to do the same.

The nominees were submitted by you, the Social Geek listeners, and the ten top vote-getters were chosen by a team of independent judges.

Congratulations to all winners and thanks for moving us all forward.

So, Here's The Thing ... 

Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson have been chatting regularly about the changes, acquisitions, and deals in the restaurant space.

Now we're sharing those conversations with you. Please join us!

Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

Year 17 of the most popular franchise podcast rolls on!

This week…we’re live in chilly Fort Lauderdale at Franchise Expo South.

The iguanas are freezing, but the franchise opportunities are heating up. We’re talking to fran dev leaders and CEOs of several brands to find out how hot the landscape is for 2026.

On today’s show:

Justin Denham, Pool Duck

Scott SirLouis, FSC Franchise / Beef O’Brady’s / Brass Tap

Bob Crawford, Central Bark

Mike Ackley, Ascent Hospitality / Perkins / Huddle House

Christina Gambino, Jumptwist Ninja

Mark Sturman, My Lobby Mart

Lindsay Morgan, CM Law

Daniel Trigo, UniVista Insurance

Stephen Hitt, Industrious

Thanks to MFV Expositions, Thunderly, and AnswerConnect

Happy New Year, Geeks!

And welcome to Year 17 of Social Geek Podcast and our New Year’s Day Special.

We’ve got 26 Franchise Pros sharing their goals for ‘26:

Heather McLeod

Ricky Richardson

Susan Beth

Jania Bailey

John Hayes

Kris Stuart

Emily George

Paul Segreto

Lauren Fernandez

Brent Greenwood

Edith Wiseman

Jerry Akers

Robert Mitchell

Martha Tomas Flynn

Gabby Wong

Richie Huffman

Jennifer Durham

Marci Kleinsasser

Emma Dickison

Larisa Walega

And we’ll wrap up with the Franchise Rock Star Panel:

Ali Kraus

Danielle Wright

Derrick Ableman

Kristen Pechacek

Scott Greenberg

And your host, Jack Monson

Thanks to today’s sponsors Citrin Cooperman, AnswerConnect, and Thunderly.

Today on the most popular franchise podcast, we’re wrapping up 2025 with the Franchise Rock Stars.

What did we learn this year?

What worked?

What did NOT work? 

Today's Franchise Rock Star Panel: Derrick Ableman, Scott Greenberg, Kristen Pechacek, and Danielle Wright joining host Jack Monson. We’re missing Ali Kraus today --  see you in January!

Thanks to all of our sponsors for 2025: Citrin Cooperman, Northeast Color, WSI, Hughes, Vendasta, Franzy, Promotex, and Thunderly.

Special Guests: Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Scott Greenberg.