The Art of Franchise Marketing

Success isn't built on getting everything right, it's built on learning from what goes wrong. In this episode, Kyla Dufresne shares how she grew Foxy Box from a single idea into a fast-growing franchise by embracing failure, investing in people, and staying true to her values. From grassroots marketing to franchise development, this conversation is filled with practical lessons for entrepreneurs looking to grow with purpose.

In this episode of The Art of Franchise Marketing, Erin Martin sits down with Pete Baldine, Chief Growth Officer of Moran Family of Brands, to discuss what it takes to grow and support high-performing franchise systems in today’s evolving automotive industry.

With decades of experience spanning Jiffy Lube, Safelite, and Moran Family of Brands, Pete shares how his coaching mindset has shaped his leadership approach to franchise development, franchisee support, and operational excellence.

The conversation dives into Moran’s growth strategy, including onboarding new franchisees, helping existing operators scale profitably, and navigating acquisitions like Mister Transmission in Canada. Pete also breaks down the importance of infrastructure before expansion, the impact of co-branded automotive service models, and how AI-powered customer engagement tools are transforming franchise operations.

In this episode, Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room, shares how technology, AI, and data-driven marketing are transforming the franchise industry. From creating “socialization as a service” in the pet space to simplifying operations for franchisees, Mark breaks down how innovative systems and human-centered design can drive growth, consistency, and customer loyalty.

The conversation explores leveraging AI for smarter business decisions, building a unified brand culture across franchise locations, and understanding consumer behavior in an increasingly emotional and experience-driven market. Whether you’re a franchise operator, entrepreneur, or marketer, this episode offers valuable insights into scaling a modern, tech-enabled business while keeping the customer experience at the center.

In this episode of The Art of Franchise Marketing, host Erin Martin sits down with Patti Rother, founder and CEO of Root+Rise to explore how AI is reshaping franchise development, marketing, and operational growth.

Patti shares how modern franchise brands can build AI-native systems that improve efficiency, accelerate decision-making, and create scalable growth engines for both founder-led and private equity-backed organizations. From franchise sales automation and marketing workflows to AI-powered analytics and lead response strategies, this conversation breaks down what forward-thinking brands are doing right now to stay competitive.

The episode also dives into the evolving franchise buyer journey, the importance of aligning operations with marketing promises, and why “speed to lead” is becoming one of the biggest differentiators in franchise development success.

 In this episode, Christina Collins, founder of NeverStopMoving365, shares her journey from PE teacher and personal trainer to franchise founder on a mission to get 1 million kids active.

Christina breaks down how she built a mobile youth fitness franchise through grassroots marketing, authentic relationship-building, and a deep understanding of behavior change psychology. From realtor partnerships and community engagement strategies to leveraging AI tools for customer insights and operational growth, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons for founders, franchisors, and marketers alike.

She also shares why “relationships beat algorithms,” the importance of mastering unit-level economics before scaling, and how creating confidence in kids became the heart of the NeverStopMoving365 brand.

In this episode, Chelsea Penne, Senior Marketing Manager at Main Squeeze Juice Co., shares insights into brand marketing, leveraging research and data, and innovative strategies in the health and wellness food industry. Discover how they integrate technology, local marketing, and product innovation to stay ahead in a competitive market.

What does local marketing look like after the pandemic and is AI helping or hurting businesses? In this episode of The Art of Franchise Marketing, Erin Martin talks with Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, about the changing landscape of local advertising.

Gordon shares research showing that since 2020, markets have 20% more businesses competing for the same customers, with nearly 80% of marketing budgets now going to digital channels like search and streaming video. But bigger budgets aren’t always delivering better results, leading many franchisees back to grassroots strategies that build real brand awareness.

They also discuss AI’s growing role in marketing, with Gordon warning that AI tools can give biased or inaccurate recommendations. His advice: use AI as a helpful assistant, not a trusted expert.

In this episode, Chad Palmer, CMO of United Franchise Group, breaks down what it takes to scale and modernize franchise brands in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. From managing a diverse portfolio of franchise concepts to leveraging AI-driven marketing strategies, Chad shares how innovation and agility are reshaping the industry.

We explore how United Franchise Group approaches brand strategy, website optimization, and data integration to drive smarter decision-making and sustainable growth. Chad also dives into the role of private equity, the challenges of brand rebranding, and why speed often beats perfection in marketing execution.

In this episode, Tony Zaccario, President and CEO of Stretch Zone, breaks down what it takes to scale a franchise brand the right way. From growing to over 400 locations with zero closures to building a strategy rooted in community engagement and clinical research, Tony shares the frameworks behind sustainable success. Learn how data-driven marketing, local connection, and brand storytelling can work together to drive growth, build trust, and create a lasting impact in the health and wellness space.

In this episode, Faith Gavelek, President of Drama Kids International, shares how she transformed franchise performance by shifting from traditional paid advertising to a more effective, organic growth strategy. By focusing on community-driven marketing, search visibility, and authentic brand storytelling, she built a high-performing franchise model that delivers both strong enrollment and sustainable profitability. Her approach challenges conventional marketing spend and offers a smarter, more strategic path to growth.

Faith also breaks down the operational systems behind that success, including the development of clear, repeatable playbooks that empower franchise owners to scale with confidence. From leveraging AI to enhance marketing efficiency to maintaining brand consistency in an evolving digital landscape, she provides actionable insights for franchise leaders looking to streamline operations, improve lead quality, and drive long-term results.