The Sidekick Life

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How do you actually run a successful franchise?
Franchise expert Angela Coté, founder & CEO of AC Inc., joins The Sidekick Life to break down the truth about franchise success—from following the system, to scaling beyond owner-operator mode, to building exit value through coaching, KPIs, and leadership.

Angela has spent her entire life in franchising (18 years as a franchisee + decades inside a 500-unit brand) and today she trains the operations coaches who support franchise owners across North America. In this episode, she shares the exact frameworks, tools, and mindsets that separate top-performing franchisees from everyone else.

Two people who never wanted a franchise… end up thriving as franchise owners. What happened? 👀

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan sits down at Sidekick Summit in Scottsdale with Amanda and Frank Lorenz, Bar-B-Clean franchisees in the East Valley of Arizona. They walk through their full journey—from searching for an existing business, swearing off franchising, and worrying about “losing control”… to finding Bar-B-Clean through Franchise Sidekick, validating the brand, and building a growing business while both still working full-time jobs.

They talk honestly about:

• Why they originally said “absolutely not” to franchising

• The perception of less control vs the reality they live today

• Working with Sidekick advisor Des to narrow brands and reduce risk

• Hiring struggles, seasonality, and what it’s really like running a “dirty job” in Arizona heat

• How community with other franchisees and the franchisor has been a game changer

• The turning point moment at a trade show when they realized, “Oh wow… this is going to be big.”

• Their #1 piece of advice for anyone thinking about opening a business or buying a franchise:

  Use your own judgment, make decisions based on facts, not fear or other people’s opinions.

If you’re on the fence about starting a business or buying a franchise—and everyone around you is saying it’s “too risky”—this episode will help you see the decision more clearly.

Join our free business blueprint webinar: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw

If you’re exploring franchise ownership and wondering where to begin, this episode is your shortcut. At Franchise Sidekick, our advisors track real client interest, performance, and momentum across hundreds of franchise brands. Each season, we rank the top 10 most sought-after opportunities — the ones clients can’t stop talking about.

Some are proven industry powerhouses. Others are fast-growing emerging concepts. All have one thing in common: they’re scaling quickly, and territories won’t stay open for long.

In this Fall 2025 “Hot Brands” breakdown, Ryan Zink and Senior Advisor Anthony Hudson reveal the most in-demand franchises based on 1,300+ client introductions over the last three months. From wellness and longevity to home services, logistics, pools, golf simulators, and innovative business services, you’ll learn:

• Why these brands are surging in popularity

• What makes each model attractive (cost, employees, recurring revenue, lifestyle, and more)

• Real investment ranges — from $43K to $800K

• The surprising number of home-based, low-employee, and semi-passive opportunities

• The #1 brand that just won’t give up the top spot

Whether you're early in your franchise search or looking for the next big opportunity, this list is where serious buyers start.

Why 99% Never Post (and How You Won’t Be One of Them) w/ Brooke Budke

Most people lurk. A tiny 1% creates. In this episode, Brooke Budke (CEO of Momentum Brands) shows you exactly how to move from silent consumer to confident creator on LinkedIn—without feeling cringey or fake. We get into the “engage first” method, five content pillars, simple posting cadence, and the mindset that crushes the fear of being judged.

You’ll learn

• The Engage First method: the zero-pressure way to start now

• Why “stories sell, facts tell” on LinkedIn

• The 1% creator advantage (and how to join it)

• A 10-day batching + scheduling system anyone can run

• How leaders spark team-wide posting (without forcing it)

• Commenting like a pro: turning strangers into supporters

• Mindset flips for “I’m not enough” & fear of criticism

• Why authentic personal posts often outperform polished “work” posts

About Brooke
Brooke Budke is the CEO of Momentum Brands, one of franchising’s most respected marketing firms. She helps executives and brands build magnetic online presence through authentic storytelling and repeatable systems.

If this helped, follow the show, rate it, and share with a friend who needs a nudge to hit “Post.”

Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine, joins The Sidekick Life to unpack personal branding, LinkedIn growth, and using AI without losing your voice. He explains why “before you do LinkedIn well, you have to do YOU well,” reframing personal branding as building a simple, repeatable, scalable brand—not oversharing the “personal.” Jason shares his “Opportunity Set B” philosophy for creating breakout opportunities no one asked you to do, his 5% Character framework for focus, a three-hook content system for scroll-stopping posts, and how he engages at scale without automation traps. We also hit AI (his “microwave oven” analogy), first-draft workflows, building ownable IP, telling founder origin stories that convert, and a great lesson from interviewing Jimmy Fallon on testing your assumptions. If you’re an entrepreneur or creator looking to grow reputation, drive revenue, and build an audience you own, this episode is your playbook.

What you’ll learn:
• Brand vs. “personal” and the 5% Character
• The three-hook post formula (visual, relevance, tease)
• Opportunity Set B: the real career accelerator
• Practical AI for first drafts & workflows
• Comment/DMinbox strategies that turn followers into fans
• How to tell an origin story that sells

Donald Miller on the Magic of Words, Messaging, and the StoryBrand Framework

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with best-selling author and StoryBrand creator Donald Miller—live from the Franchise Sidekick annual event in Scottsdale, AZ.

Donald breaks down how simple, repeatable soundbites can transform your marketing, attract more customers, and help people finally understand what you do. He shares the five-part PEACE framework (Problem, Empathy, Answer, Change, Result), explains why “confusion is the enemy,” and reveals how businesses from startups to giants like Ford and Procter & Gamble have skyrocketed sales by changing just a few words.

You’ll hear:

• The real story behind how StoryBrand was born

• Why great messaging beats great products

• How to turn customers into brand evangelists

• The one mental rule that drives all human decision-making

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do—or want to master the words that sell—this conversation is your blueprint.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to simplify your message, scale your impact, and speak the “magic words” that grow your business.

From a late-night simulator session with friends to 300+ locations in five years—this is the wild rise of The Back Nine, the fastest-growing golf simulator franchise in America. Founder & CEO Wil Bangerter joins Ryan and Tyler to share how he walked away from a law career, turned an “unhealthy golf addiction” into a scalable business, and built a franchise system that’s redefining indoor golf.

In this episode:

• The garage-to-franchise origin story (COVID year → soft opening → first members)

• Why golfers love the 24/7, automated, no-pressure model—and how software makes it work

• Picking the right simulator tech (accuracy = retention) and building sticky memberships

• The first 10 franchisees: pioneers, pricing, and lessons from messy beginnings

• Hitting zero sales…then a seven-figure month and sustained 15–30 deals/month

• Partnerships with Full Swing, TGL, and NBC’s tee time network

• How Wil’s role evolved from floor-scraper to culture-builder and franchise support leader

• What it takes to scale responsibly: territory mapping, ops hiring, and franchisee success

Who it’s for: aspiring franchise owners, emerging franchisors, golf/fitness operators, and anyone curious how to turn passion into a durable business.

If you’re exploring franchise ownership, grab our free 20-minute training: 10,000 Locations & Counting—The Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint.

Why do Franchises Fail?

Franchising looks like one of the safest bets in business — thousands of brands, hundreds of thousands of owners, and billions added to the U.S. economy. But the truth? Not every franchise is built to last.

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen pull back the curtain on why franchise brands fail — not just the local shops, but the franchisors themselves. From high-profile collapses like Quiznos and Boston Market to the hidden traps in emerging brands, we explore the red flags you should know before investing your time, money, and future.

We dive deep into:

• What the data really says about franchise closures

• The difference between failing franchisees vs. failing franchisors

• Leadership mistakes that sink even national brands

• The hidden dangers of undercapitalization, oversaturation, and supply chain gaps

• The risks of “franchise creators” and franchising too early

• Why development schedules and licensing laws can make or break a new brand

• How Franchise Sidekick protects buyers and sets them up for long-term success

Whether you're a prospective franchisee or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight and actionable advice.

Part-time franchise ownership is one of the most misunderstood—and most desired—paths in franchising. Can you really keep your job, hire someone else to run the business, and still make money?

In this episode, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen break down the truth about part-time franchise ownership. They share real-life stories, step-by-step frameworks, and the S.T.I.C. system for finding the right operator to help you scale without burning out.

You'll learn:

• What “part-time” really means (and how many hours it takes)

• The best industries for flexible franchise ownership

• How to find and incentivize your “STIC person”

• The daily/weekly/monthly cadence every part-time owner must follow

• The biggest myths, mistakes, and pitfalls to avoid

Whether you're a busy professional, investor, or couple exploring franchising, this episode gives you the blueprint to build a franchise that runs without running your life.

🔗 Learn more at franchisesidekick.com
🎓 Sign up for the free webinar: 10,000 Locations and Counting: The Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint

Ready to own a franchise but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and senior advisor Anthony Hudson count down the Top 10 Franchise Brands of Summer 2025—the ones our clients can’t stop talking about. From home services and med spas to golf simulators and unique mobile concepts, we share why these brands are surging, what makes them stand out, and where prime territories are still up for grabs. If you want the inside scoop on what’s hot in franchising right now, this is your shortcut.