The Exit Plan with Alex Smereczniak

What happens when you're literally born into franchising?

In this episode of The Exit Plan, 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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:33) Growing up in Jersey Mike's
(00:06:54) From motorsports to running a store
(00:09:54) Learning to take care of people
(00:12:18) Choosing Vicious Biscuit
(00:15:45) Run store one like you have three
(00:18:35) Full kitchens and harder real estate
(00:24:45) Working yourself out of the job
(00:32:17) Why the royalties are worth it
(00:35:27) What he wishes he knew
(00:41:32) Wrap up

Connect with GR:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grwaldrop/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:23) The door-to-door insurance startup
(00:09:06) Stumbling into Crumbl
(00:11:45) Signing without an FDD review
(00:20:56) COVID doubts and fast payback
(00:28:53) Structuring deals with investors
(00:37:01) Nearly losing nine stores
(00:42:59) The builder who took $400K
(00:48:31) Surviving long enough to win
(00:50:39) Copying the best operators
(00:53:47) What CoverPanda builds

Connect with Taylor and Shideler:
Taylor Byington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorbyington/
Shideler Bennett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shidelerbennett/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:47) Binge-listening to franchise podcasts
(00:07:18) Why the franchise playbook appealed
(00:12:31) Discovery day in Pittsburgh
(00:19:01) Waiting on a site
(00:21:10) Signing up to open three stores
(00:24:28) Grand opening and the CO scramble
(00:27:52) Daily life as owner-operator
(00:30:15) Packed grand opening weekend
(00:36:01) What people get wrong about franchising
(00:41:28) Advice for first-time franchisees

Connect with Jon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahrjon/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:44) Working 20-hour shifts at Tesla
(00:05:02) His wife finds KidStrong
(00:11:16) Reading the FDD at a wedding
(00:16:41) SBA loan learning curve
(00:19:28) The oh crap moment after launch
(00:25:52) Hiring a team early
(00:32:17) What people get wrong about franchising
(00:38:54) Advice for franchise shoppers

Connect with Parker:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerfeldmann

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:08) From impact investing to small businesses
(00:05:19) Asked to operate the business himself
(00:07:28) Why franchise over starting independent
(00:13:12) Making sense of the franchise agreement
(00:18:15) When the operating partner walked away
(00:22:22) Signing, training, and getting a van
(00:26:02) Winter doubts and slow months
(00:28:11) Running the day to day
(00:35:30) Local partnerships that drove growth
(00:37:54) Royalties and franchise myths
(00:48:30) Wrap up

Connect with Bryant:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryant-cohen-87824a56/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:18) How franchising found him
(00:08:01) The scary jump from EY
(00:12:51) Yard signs and grassroots marketing
(00:17:31) Working in the business, not on it
(00:21:46) Myths about franchises and local business
(00:24:39) What he wishes he knew
(00:28:17) Advice for aspiring franchisees

Connect with Ian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imartens/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.

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.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:04:16) Optical sales and teaching backgrounds
(00:10:13) Franchising versus starting from scratch
(00:17:39) The Discovery Day in Texas
(00:20:17) Scary months before opening
(00:25:40) Splitting roles as a couple
(00:29:04) Negotiating the lease
(00:36:18) Rooting for other KidStrong owners
(00:39:05) What people get wrong about franchising
(00:43:10) Talk to franchisees peer to peer

Connect with Jeff:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-gossett-4a7aa721/

The Exit Plan:
Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exit-plan/id1814643428
Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF
Free guide, real costs and earnings for the top 5 franchises under $150K: https://go.franzy.com/top-5-franchises-under-150k
Find your perfect franchise, free: https://franzy.com
Follow Alex: https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

Enjoying the show? Tap Follow in your podcast app so next week's episode shows up automatically, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if this one earned it.

The Exit Plan is a Franzy podcast, hosted by Franzy co-founder and CEO Alex Smereczniak.