What if the biggest threat to your franchise system isn’t sales, development, or operations but the financial foundation you’re quietly ignoring?

In this episode, we sit down with the franchise finance authority, Ron Feldman, a 30-year veteran who has advised, funded, and evaluated many franchise brands through ApplePie Capital, FRANdata, and Franchise America Finance. Ron pulls back the curtain on the one thing that separates healthy, scalable brands from the ones that stall out: franchisee profitability and why ignoring it is the fastest path to failure.

From the early days of the Goddard School to building lending platforms that have deployed more than $3 billion to franchisees, Ron shares what lenders really look for, why item 19s often fall short, and how emerging franchisors accidentally sabotage their own growth. He breaks down why unit-level economics matter more than any development goal, how to avoid becoming a “churn and burn” brand, and what it takes to become an exceptional franchise system in the eyes of lenders, franchisees, and buyers.

Whether you’re a founder trying to grow responsibly, a franchisor preparing for scale, or a leader committed to better financial discipline across your system, this episode is a masterclass in doing franchising the right way with clarity, transparency, and profitability at the core.

Connect with Ron:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldafeldman/

Email - [email protected]

ApplePie Capital Contact - [email protected]

Episode Highlights:

• Ron’s early days as a Goddard School franchisee
  
  
• The mentor who shaped his entire franchising philosophy
  
  
• Why franchisee profitability is the #1 indicator of system health
  
  
• The biggest mistakes emerging franchisors make
  
  
• How lenders actually evaluate an FDD
  
  
• Why item 19 rarely shows the full story
  
  
• What makes a brand “exceptional” in the eyes of lenders
  
  
• Why founders need more capital than they think
  
  
• The dangers of undercapitalization (for franchisors + franchisees)
  
  
• The responsible franchising movement and why it matters
  
  
• The power of benchmarking, data, and the right tech stack
  
  
• Accelerating time from signed to open and why most brands struggle
  
  
• When franchisors should buy back locations to protect validation

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What if the secret to sustainable franchise growth isn’t speed but steadfast values?

In this episode, Emma Dickison, CEO and President of Home Helpers Home Care, shares her journey from teaching to leading one of the nation’s most trusted senior care brands. With roots at Blockbuster during its explosive rise and nearly two decades at the helm of Home Helpers, Emma offers a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

She opens up about the defining lessons that shaped her from single motherhood and mentorship to leading through a global pandemic, and how those experiences strengthened her belief that “doing the right thing” always comes before doing things right. Emma also reveals the origin of Home Helpers’ BOLD values and how these principles guide every franchise decision, from who joins the system to how they show up in their communities.

You’ll also hear how Emma and her team foster innovation through their Innovation Council, collaborate with franchisees to develop new programs like Cared-4, and lead industry-wide advocacy efforts through the Home Care Association of America and International Franchise Association (IFA). This episode is equal parts inspiration and strategy, a reminder that lasting growth begins with integrity, collaboration, and listening as you lead.

So, if you’re building a franchise rooted in purpose, this episode is your reminder that real growth comes from doing the right thing, every time.

Resources - 

The Beginnings of the McDonalds Filet o Fish sandwich in Cheviot, OH - https://www.wcpo.com/money/local-business-news/mcdonalds-filet-o-fish-invented-by-cincinnati-franchise-owner-who-was-losing-business-during-lent

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmadickison/

Home Helpers - https://homehelpershomecare.com/

Home Helpers Franchise - https://www.homehelpersfranchise.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Emma’s early career at Blockbuster and what she learned about leadership and culture
• How single motherhood shaped her resilience and servant-leadership style
• The founding principles behind Home Helpers’ BOLD values
• Building trust and credibility in a crowded senior care market
• Leading through the pandemic and the importance of advocacy
• How innovation councils keep franchise systems agile and collaborative
• The story behind Home Helpers’ Cared4 program and its impact
• Lessons in collaboration, mentorship, and listening as a leader
• The importance of IFA involvement for emerging franchisors
• The growing presence and impact of women in franchising

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What if the secret to scaling a successful franchise wasn’t just about systems and sales but about mindset, discipline, and speaking a bold vision into existence?

In this episode, Jeff Dudan, Founder and CEO of Homefront Brands and former founder of AdvantaClean, shares how scrappy beginnings and servant leadership shaped his journey from painting apartments in college to leading a multi-brand franchise platform projected to generate more than $100 million in sales this year. Jeff’s story is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and purpose-driven growth.

He reveals how lessons from athletics such as consistency, coaching, and repetition translate directly into franchise success, and why he believes every leader should train like a “business athlete.” You’ll hear how he scaled AdvantaClean to 220+ locations, the mindset shift behind his Homefront Brands platform, and the one exercise that helps leaders communicate their vision so powerfully, people can’t help but follow it.

Jeff also dives into the power of relational leadership, how trust, empathy, and specificity create unbreakable franchise systems and why great founders don’t just manage transactions; they build movements. So, whether you’re an emerging brand or a seasoned franchisor, this conversation will challenge how you lead, coach, and grow.

Connect with Jeff:

Homefront Brands: https://homefrontbrands.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffdudan/

Podcast: Unemployable with Jeff Dudan 

Book: Discernment: The Business Athlete’s Regimen for a Great Life Through Better Decisions (Free copy via Linktree on Instagram)
Watch: Jeff’s Undercover Boss episode (free Vimeo link available in his LinkedIn video carousel)

Episode Highlights:

• From scrappy beginnings to national franchise growth
  
  
• The story behind building and selling AdvantaClean
  
  
• How Hurricane Andrew changed Jeff’s path to franchising
  
  
• Servant leadership vs. transactional leadership
  
  
• Why values-based hiring is the cornerstone of great brands
  
  
• The “business athlete” mindset for franchise success
  
  
• Building Homefront Brands and scaling across multiple verticals
  
  
• How to speak a bold and powerful future into existence
  
  
• The primacy-recency principle for leadership impact
  
  
• Balancing empathy, accountability, and outcomes
  
  
• Why specificity drives consistency in franchise systems
  
  
• Lessons from selling to private equity and scaling again

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What if the secret to franchise growth wasn’t found in dashboards or marketing campaigns, but in relationships, accountability, and culture?

Marianne Murphy has spent more than 25 years driving growth in franchising, from early days at Housemaster Home Inspection to leadership roles with Floor Coverings International, Any Lab Test Now, and more. A Certified Franchise Executive and EOS Integrator, she brings a unique perspective on how emerging brands can scale with clarity and culture at the center.

In this conversation, Marianne shares the pivotal lessons she learned working alongside Ken Austin, the founder of the home inspection franchise industry, and how his mantra “If it’s good for the franchisees, it’s good for the business”  still shapes her approach today. She explains why “semi-absentee ownership” is a dangerous myth, how accountability charts and EOS can transform leadership teams, and why culture and relationships must come before compliance.

Whether you’re an emerging brand trying to define your KPIs, a franchisor looking to strengthen franchisee trust, or a leader curious about EOS, this episode is packed with practical strategies and candid wisdom. Marianne’s journey proves that sustainable growth comes from planting the right seeds, nurturing relationships, and building a culture that franchisees can believe in.

Connect with Marianne

Website: https://murphyconsulting.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannemurphy/

Episode Highlights:

• Marianne’s start in franchising
• Lessons from Ken Austin: “If it’s good for the franchisees, it’s good for the business”
• Why “semi-absentee ownership” is a dangerous myth
• The role of KPIs and leading indicators in driving growth.
• How EOS brings clarity and accountability to leadership teams.
• The visionary-integrator dynamic
• Why culture and trust matter more than compliance.
• The importance of mentorship, relationships, and community in franchising.
• Building trust, culture, and franchisee relationships over compliance
• How mentorship, community, and committees strengthen systems

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What do Mongolian barbecue, Ford Motor Company, and Ironman triathlons all have in common? For Billy Downs, they’ve each played a role in shaping his unique journey as a leader in franchising.

Billy “BD” Downs co-founded BD’s Mongolian Grill at just 26 years old, growing it into an international brand before selling and moving into consulting, nonprofit work, and ultimately becoming the first franchisee in the state of Michigan, and now President, of Ford’s Garage, a brand with 32 locations across 8 states. Along the way, he earned the Presidential Friendship Medal from the president of Mongolia, launched community-impact initiatives through World Vision, and helped advise Goldfish Swim School as it scaled from one location to more than 200.

In this conversation, Billy opens up about the challenges of starting a restaurant brand from scratch, the critical role of building the right team, and why humility and coachability are non-negotiables in successful franchising. He shares how wearing the hats of both franchisor and franchisee shaped his leadership style, why he believes in surrounding yourself with a board of advisors sooner rather than later, and how “one team” is more than just a slogan at Ford’s Garage.

Whether you’re an emerging franchisor, a franchisee, or simply a leader looking for wisdom, Billy’s story is packed with insights on growth, resilience, and building businesses that make an impact far beyond the bottom line.

Connect with Billy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydowns/

Email: [email protected]

Episode Highlights:

• Growing BD’s Mongolian Grill into an international brand
  
  
  
• Lessons learned from selling a franchise and starting over
  
  
  
• Consulting, nonprofit work, and the path to Ford’s Garage
  
  
  
• Why humility, coachability, and teamwork are essential in franchising
  
  
  
• Advising Goldfish Swim School on their path to 200+ units
  
  
  
• Building community impact into a brand from the start
  
  
  
• Balancing the dual role of franchisor and franchisee

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What happens when you grow up in a franchising family and spend your career helping others avoid the mistakes you saw firsthand?

John Francis, better known as Johnny Franchise and the swiss army knife of franchising, has lived every role in the franchise world: franchisee, franchisor, executive, advisor, and board member. Today, he mentors 15–20 brands at a time, helping leaders reduce risk, improve results, and scale with confidence.

In this episode, John shares lessons of resilience, humility, and people-first leadership from his family’s iconic barber franchise, plus the hard truths he learned through loss and chaos. With the unique perspective of having been both a franchisee and franchisor, he explains how leaders can better understand their counterpart’s challenges. He also reveals the most common roadblocks franchisors face, how founders get in their own way, and why mentorship, mastermind groups, and advisory boards are game-changers.

You’ll also hear how he continues the legacy of mentorship passed down from his father, along with the story behind Father’s Eve, the nonprofit he founded to unite dads nationwide.

Whether you’re new to franchising or leading at scale, this conversation is packed with wisdom and strategies from one of the industry’s most trusted voices.

Connect with John Francis

Website: https://www.johnnyfranchise.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up in a franchise family and lessons from his father
  
  
  
• The importance of structure, accountability, and sequencing in scaling
  
  
  
• Common founder blind spots (and how ego gets in the way)
  
  
  
• Why advisory boards and mastermind groups change the game
  
  
  
• Transitioning from family business to helping 50+ other brands
  
  
  
• The creation of Father’s Eve and its impact

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What separates good franchisors from great ones? This episode unpacks the lessons behind building, scaling, and selling franchise brands that thrive long term.

 Kevin Wilson has spent his career at the intersection of strategy and franchising, turning ideas into nationally recognized brands and scaling businesses others thought couldn’t be scaled. From growing Mosquito Joe into a 350-unit system before selling to Neighborly, to acquiring and expanding British Swim School from 60 to 360+ locations, his track record of franchise growth speaks for itself.

In this conversation, Kevin shares what it really takes to grow a franchise brand. He explains how strong unit economics forms the foundation for success, why data and analytics transformed support for franchisees, and how brand positioning and marketing can set a concept apart in crowded industries. He also shares the critical factors franchisors should consider when deciding when to scale, when to exit, and how to prepare for the next wave of shifts such as AI, technology, and rising customer expectations.

Kevin is the Chairman and CEO of Buzz Franchise Brands, a multi-brand franchising company that includes Pool Scouts (pool cleaning), Home Clean Heroes (residential home cleaning), The British Swim School (swimming lessons), Wonderly Lights (holiday lighting), and the former owner of Mosquito Joe, a 350-unit system before selling to Neighborly in 2018. Prior to this, he co-founded Volaris, a low-cost airline and now the largest airline in Mexico, spent several years in Private Equity and oversaw $160M in capital, was an Executive with South African Airways, and prior to this was a Consultant with Bain and Company in the Dallas Office. 

Whether you’re an emerging franchisor or leading a multi-brand system, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you scale smarter and build a franchise brand that lasts.

Connect with Kevin Wilson

Buzz Franchise Brands - https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwilsonbfb/

Episode Highlights:

• Kevin’s journey from Bain and Company to bagels to Buzz Franchise Brands
• Lessons learned building and selling Mosquito Joe
• How positioning and marketing transformed franchise growth
• How data and real-time analytics transformed franchisee support
• How Kevin timed his Mosquito Joe exit by watching franchise valuations
• Acquiring British Swim School and scaling it from 60 to 360+ locations
• The role of purpose and mission in franchise growth
• What franchisors must prepare for next: AI, technology, and rising customer expectations

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What does it really take to lead a struggling franchise brand back to growth and keep it thriving for more than a decade?

Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean, shares the hard-earned lessons from his career turning underperforming organizations into award-winning, rapidly growing franchise systems. With a military background that shaped his servant leadership approach, Steve opens up about how putting franchisees first became the foundation for PuroClean’s transformation.

From his early days at Domino’s Pizza during its fastest growth years to taking on PuroClean when franchisees were leaving in droves, Steve walks us through the realities of stepping into a system in crisis and the mindset required to turn it around. He reveals why his first six months were focused on listening, rebuilding trust, and making franchisee profitability the #1 priority.

Steve explains the importance of measurable success metrics, like annual sales per employee and per truck, and how making franchisees more profitable fuels reinvestment and system-wide growth. He also shares how strategically-timed franchisee satisfaction surveys became a powerful roadmap for continuous improvement.

We also dive into how to build a franchisee-first culture, hire team members who align with your values, and navigate challenges like franchisees who want to “innovate” before mastering the system. Whether you’re leading a mature brand, launching a new concept, or looking for leadership inspiration, this episode is a masterclass in steady, values-driven growth.

Connect with Steve

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-white-b1a2661/

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.puroclean.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Steve’s military background and how it shaped his leadership style
  
  
• Lessons from Domino’s Pizza during its fastest growth years
  
  
• Walking into PuroClean amid franchisee dissatisfaction and decline
  
  
• Six-month focus on listening, culture, and profitability
  
  
• Using key metrics to drive franchisee success and reinvestment
  
  
• Building a franchisee-first culture from the top down
  
  
• Hiring for cultural fit and servant leadership values
  
  
• Creating a giving and collaborative franchisee community
  
  
• Handling resistant franchisees and channeling innovation effectively
  
  

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What’s really happening behind the scenes at the IFA and why does it matter more than ever right now?

In today’s episode, Matt Haller, President and CEO of the IFA, shares the growing role the IFA plays in protecting, enhancing, and promoting franchising. From Capitol Hill to convention halls, Matt explains how his team is helping franchise brands navigate policy, access education and build community.

Matt dives into how stepping into leadership during the pandemic pushed the IFA to evolve faster than ever, from launching virtual education and advocacy platforms to expanding member programs. He shares how the organization adapted to serve the franchising community when it mattered most. 

We also explore the IFA’s 3 core pillars - protect, enhance and promote - and how they show up in practice. Matt talks about new supplier partnerships, specialized education tracks and initiatives like VetFran and the Franchise Ascension Initiative and why they matter to the future of franchising.

Matthew Haller is President & CEO of the International Franchise Association. Matt has been a key member of the IFA team for over 12 years, building extensive relationships with all three segments of the IFA membership: franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers. Before being named President and CEO in June of 2021, Matt held a number of roles across the IFA, including Communications Director, Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, and Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs.

If you’ve ever wondered whether IFA membership is worth it (or what it even includes), this episode is for you! Tune in to hear Matt share actionable ways franchisors and franchisees can engage with advocacy, education and support that’s built to scale with them at every stage.

Connect with Matt

Website https://www.franchise.org/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller/

Resources

IFA Advocacy Summit Sept 15- 17, 2025 - https://web.cvent.com/event/c8608e2c-1da1-4a9a-b675-fc061ac3954c/websitePage:a42a829c-7eda-4acd-967a-1521bb754e1c?i=UN1Ypicjz0OrKGqhQm4-Hw&rp=3e3bd460-a104-4dcf-b299-58c3a9d62409

Episode Highlights:

• Matt’s path to leading the IFA
• What is the IFA
• How IFA guided franchise brands during COVID
• The three pillars of the IFA: Protect, Enhance, Promote
• The truth about tariffs and political uncertainty
• IFA’s growth, brand refresh & new partnerships
• How to get involved in advocacy 
• The Advocacy Summit

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]

What does it take to turn a simple idea born in a barn into a nationally recognized franchise empire? 

Cathy Deano, the visionary behind Painting with a Twist and co-founder of Twist Brands, takes us back to post-Katrina Louisiana, where a desire to bring joy to her community led to a business that now spans 400+ locations. But her journey wasn’t linear and it definitely wasn’t typical!

From scrappy startup beginnings to rapid-fire franchise growth (think 40 units in under a year), Cathy shares how she navigated the crazy ride of expansion, recession and reinvention, all while staying rooted in her values.

In this episode, Cathy opens up about the common mistakes most new franchise founders make and the mindset shifts that helped her avoid (and survive) the ones she made herself. She also reveals how prioritizing people over profits, leading with empathy and saying “I don’t know” when needed have all become strengths, not setbacks.

We also dig into why mentorship, especially throughout the IFA, changed her trajectory, the surprising upside of giving back (and how it helped grow the brand), and what it’s really like to go from founder to multi-brand CEO.

Cathy Deano is a certified franchise executive, a Forbes 50 over 50 honoree and the visionary behind Painting with a Twist, the largest Paint and Sip brand in the country. She’s also the co-founder of Twist Brands and represents over 400 franchises nationwide. 

Whether you’re launching, scaling, or just trying to lead with more intention, this episode is a masterclass in doing it the right way!

Connect with Cathy

Website: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/

Resources

Scott Greenberg - Episode 21 Elevating Employee Experiences for Franchise Growth

Dustin Hansen - Episode 14  How Radical Transparency Turned a Franchise Around

Episode Highlights:

• The origin of Painting with a Twist

• Early challenges and success

• Franchising and mentorship

• Rapid growth and impact of social media

• Challenges in starting a business

• Painting with a purpose: Give Gack to the Community

• Pivoting during the pandemic

• Acquisitions and growth strategy

• Building a strong team and culture

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/

Email - [email protected]