In this episode of The Franchat Podcast, we’re joined by Christina Dear from Zoom Drain, a rare “best of both worlds” guest who sits on both sides of the franchising table: she’s the brand’s Director of Operations and a multi-unit franchisee.

We dig into what multi-unit ownership really looks like in practice, including the added complexity of being a remote owner (Christina lives in Philadelphia but owns two territories in South Florida). Christina shares candid lessons on why geography matters, why “bigger isn’t always better” when expanding, and how the realities of different markets can dramatically affect scalability, especially in trades and home services.

The conversation moves into the franchisor’s perspective too: how should franchisors award additional territories, what “good” looks like before approving expansion, and why track record isn’t just financial. It’s also about engagement, collaboration, and operational maturity. We also explore the risks of selling large territory packs too early, the importance of development agreements and milestones, and the growing trend of brands moving toward multi-unit-only recruitment models.

And we, we cover the upside of “franchisee neighbours” (shared learning, co-marketing, stronger brand presence), the rise of multi-brand operators in home services, and the provocative question: how big is too big for a franchisee to become? (Including real-world examples of franchisees eventually buying the franchisor.)

If you’re a franchisor thinking about territory strategy or a franchisee wondering whether multi-unit is your next chapter, this episode is a practical, honest look at what it takes to scale without diluting standards (or your sanity).

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked – yet powerful – assets in franchising: the founder’s story.

Drawing on examples from global giants to emerging UK brands, the conversation explores why a founder’s backstory can be a defining differentiator during the early stages of franchise growth — helping prospective franchisees feel aligned, connected, and confident in what the brand stands for.

🎙️ Episode 30 – What Does Support Look Like?

“Support” is one of the most used words in franchising—but what does it actually mean in practice?

In this episode, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dig into the many layers of franchisee support—from onboarding to exit, and everything in between. They unpack the difference between giving franchisees a checklist and truly supporting their growth, development, and well-being.

👥 They explore:

• Why franchisors might actually be in the training & development business

• Building a franchise community vs. just delivering support

• How to tailor support to different learning styles and life stages

• What to do when a franchisee disengages—and how to spot the real reason

• Why leadership and mindset training might be just as important as operations

💡 Insightful, practical, and deeply human—this episode is a must-listen for anyone who thinks franchisee success goes far beyond KPIs.

🎙️ Episode 29 – I Want to Sell My Franchise!

Thinking of selling your franchise? Whether you're a franchisee planning your next chapter or a franchisor wanting to better support resales, this episode is packed with real talk and practical advice. Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dive into why exit planning should start on day one, what makes a franchise resale-ready, and the surprising ways you can boost your business's value beyond just monthly income. From legal considerations to video marketing tips, this chat breaks down how to turn a successful exit into a franchising win—for everyone involved.

🔑 Key topics:

• Why selling isn’t a failure—it’s a success story

• How franchisors can help franchisees prepare for resale

• Building value through systems, teams, and visibility

• What franchise agreements should say about exiting

• Understanding multiples and what makes your business attractive to buyers

💬 Honest, insightful, and surprisingly fun—this episode is a must-listen for anyone in franchising with one eye on the future.

In this episode of The FranChat Podcast, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin unpack a truth that every franchisor knows — but not every system plans for: franchisees are not all the same.

They explore how personal background, learning styles, emotional factors, and even hidden challenges can all affect how a franchisee shows up — and scales. From using personality profiling tools like DISC, to embracing neurodiversity and flexible onboarding, the team highlights practical ways franchisors can build stronger, more adaptive support systems.

You'll also hear insights on:

• Why “one-size-fits-all” training often falls short
  

• The myth of the perfect franchisee
  

• The danger of treating every underperformance as a skill issue
  

• Coaching your team and your franchisees for better communication and outcomes
  

• Creating culture without compromising brand consistency
  

Whether you're onboarding your first franchisee or supporting a growing network, this episode will help you lead with empathy, adaptability, and smarter systems.

In this episode of The FranChat Podcast, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dive into the gritty realities of scaling a franchise — and how to do it without losing your mind, your team, or your brand.

From the early days of piloting your model to managing a growing network of franchisees, the team explore the common breaking points franchisors face as they grow — and how to navigate them. They cover topics like:

• The hidden costs of under-preparing
  

• Why franchising is not just an extension of your existing business
  

• The danger of skipping the “difficult conversations”
  

• Legal blind spots that can derail scale
  

• And how leadership style must evolve as your network grows
  

They also share real stories, clever analogies (including marriage prep!), and practical insights about what it really takes to scale with strength — not stress.

Whether you're on your first franchisee or your fiftieth, this one is packed with tips to help you scale sustainably.

“It’s Just a Logo, Right?” — Why Brand Protection Really Matters

In this episode of The FranChat Podcast, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dive into the often-overlooked world of brand protection in franchising. From trademarks and domain names to logos, social media handles, and even international expansion, they explore why protecting your brand is far more than just a legal formality — it’s a critical part of your franchise's foundation.

Natalia breaks down what you can and can’t protect (spoiler: not everything needs a ™ symbol), and shares real-life examples of franchisors who got it wrong — and the costly consequences that followed. Meanwhile, Tim and Kevin bring practical insight into when brand protection should happen and how it connects to franchising growth stages.

Whether you’re just starting out or already scaling your franchise network, this episode will help you understand the risks, myths, and best practices around brand protection — so you don’t build your brand on a house of cards.

In this milestone 25th episode, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dive into a hot topic that’s gaining traction across the franchise world: why aren’t more young people becoming franchisees?

With data showing an increase in the average franchisee age and fewer under-30s entering the space, the team explores everything from financial barriers and career mindsets to entrepreneurial readiness and business acumen.

They also debate bold new ideas – joint ventures, fast-track schemes, franchise apprenticeships, and even inter-brand rotations – as ways to help younger talent step into the sector meaningfully.

Expect insightful anecdotes, thoughtful challenges to the status quo, and, of course, a bit of banter.

In this episode, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin dive into a big topic that hits at the heart of franchising: are franchisees being taught how to run a business, or just how to follow a system?

We unpack the difference between being a franchisee and being a business owner, why franchisors might be missing a trick by not investing in their franchisees’ broader business skills, and how a lack of education in areas like marketing, sales, and financial planning can hold people back.

Expect honest reflections, real-life stories, and plenty of practical insights – from marketing reluctance to the power of coaching and why independent business support might just be the boost your network needs.

Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or thinking about stepping into franchising, this episode’s packed with food for thought.

And yes, we also talk robot lawnmowers.

In this episode, Tim, Natalia, and Kevin get real about the big question every potential franchisee needs to ask: Is franchising actually the right path for me? They break down the mindsets, expectations, and motivations that make or break franchise success — and share why it's totally okay if franchising isn't your perfect fit. From ownership myths to the realities of system-following, the hosts offer a candid, experience-packed guide to help you figure it out before you dive in.

Key Topics:

• How to know if you’re “wired” for franchising

• The personality traits that thrive (and struggle) in franchise systems

• Why passion for the brand alone isn’t enough

• Common misconceptions about franchise ownership

• Practical self-check questions you should ask yourself

👉 Ideal for anyone at the early stages of exploring franchising or feeling unsure about their next move.