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I just wanted to jump on and share something exciting—Franchise Now has just released the latest episode of Franchise Marketing Radio, and it features none other than Cliff Nonnenmacher, the founder and CEO of Franocity.

If you’re in franchising—or exploring it—you seriously don’t want to miss this one.

Cliff’s story is as real as it gets. He’s been on every side of the industry—he’s built businesses from scratch, owned multiple franchise units, turned around underperforming locations, and even sat in the investment banking world managing multi-million-dollar portfolios. So when he talks about how to succeed in franchising, it’s not theory—it’s experience.

In this episode, he opens up about how Franocity is changing the franchise advising game. Instead of just matching people to brands, Cliff and his team focus on fit first. That means digging into things like your personal goals, financial needs, family dynamics, risk tolerance—even your lifestyle—before talking about what kind of business to buy.

It’s smart, it’s strategic, and it’s exactly what more people in this space need.

But that’s not all—Cliff also goes deep on where franchising is headed. He talks about the impact of AI and automation, how it's transforming franchise operations, and why some industries are better positioned for the future than others.

Think HVAC, restoration, beauty and anti-aging, pet services, and senior care—these are all spaces he believes have at least a 10-year runway before they’re disrupted by automation. And he explains why, in a way that’s incredibly easy to understand but still incredibly sharp.

He even gets into how his team helps clients avoid bad investments—sometimes by advising them not to buy at all. That part really stood out to me. Cliff isn’t here to sell franchises. He’s here to help people make smarter decisions, even if that means walking away from a deal. And honestly, that kind of honesty is rare—and really valuable.

There’s also a great section on emerging franchisors—especially those with under 100 units. If that’s you, you’ll want to listen closely. Cliff lays out what brands need to show if they want to attract serious candidates: proof of concept across multiple markets, strong franchisee validation, real support systems, and financial strength. He even says if your franchisees are better capitalized than you are as the franchisor, that’s a major red flag.

And let me tell you—his perspective on franchisee success versus franchisor royalties is something every brand should hear. It’s not just about growth. It’s about building something sustainable, with profitable owners and a solid foundation.

One of the highlights for me was a story Cliff shared about a husband-and-wife team running an Express Employment Professionals franchise that generates over $70 million a year. Yes—70 million. And they’re not famous or flashy. Just smart operators with the right concept and the right guidance.

It’s the kind of story that reminds you franchising really can be the path to serious success—if you approach it the right way.

So again, if you haven’t already listened, go check it out. Franchise Now just released the episode on Franchise Marketing Radio, and you can find it on Spotify.

And if you want to learn more about Cliff or Franocity, you can visit: franocity.com

And for all the tools and strategies that are helping franchisors grow smarter with AI-driven marketing and recruitment, make sure to visit: Franchise Now

Trust me, this episode is full of insights—whether you’re looking to invest in a franchise, grow a brand, or just get smarter about where the industry is headed.

Welcome back to the world of franchising news and innovation. In this update, we’re spotlighting a newly released episode from Franchise Marketing Radio, brought to you by Franchise Now. Hosted by Rob Gandley, the episode features a compelling and insightful conversation with John Erlandson, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Youth Athletes United.

John shares a remarkable journey that takes listeners from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy—where personal and professional adversity struck hard—to launching and scaling one of the most impactful youth sports franchise platforms in the country. His story is one of resilience, community, and entrepreneurship with purpose.

As the driving force behind Youth Athletes United, John discusses how the organization’s three brands—Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, and TGA—have created a national movement focused on non-competitive, developmentally appropriate sports for children. With the ambitious goal of positively impacting one million kids annually, the platform combines centralized resources with passionate local franchise ownership.

The episode dives deep into the operational philosophy that sets Youth Athletes United apart: mission-aligned franchise recruitment, simplified backend systems, and a digital-first approach to parent engagement. John provides behind-the-scenes insight into their tech strategy, including both successes and lessons learned from early AI experiments.

Also explored are the long-term plans for personalization, retention, and creating continuity in a child’s development journey—features that will help their franchise partners drive long-term engagement and growth.

This episode is a must-listen for franchisors, franchisees, and business leaders who want to build brands that go beyond profit to create lasting social value.

Stream the full episode now and learn how Franchise Now continues to spotlight innovation, leadership, and growth in the franchising world.

To discover more inspiring stories like this and stay informed on what’s shaping the future of franchising, visit FranchiseNow.AI. This includes exclusive interviews with franchise founders, tech innovators, and community-first leaders from across the industry. Stay connected to the insights that matter most.

Have you ever wondered why some addiction treatment programs work better for military personnel than others? Today, we're delving into a fascinating topic - specialized intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs, for our service members.

You know, when we talk about alcohol addiction in California, the numbers are pretty startling. I just learned that over the past decade, alcoholism has increased by 50%. Have you seen the impact of this trend firsthand?

If you've got a Chevrolet C4500 or C6500, Ford F650 or F750, or International CV515, you know how tough it's been to find grille guards that actually fit. Those forward-opening hoods made traditional installs nearly impossible.

Not anymore! Go Industries engineered a smart tilt-forward design that lets the grille guard move with your medium duty truck—not block it. That means real front-end protection and full access under the hood when you need it.

The Chevy and Ford truck grille guards come packed with features made for real-world use like no-cut, no-drill installation to protect your truck's body; OEM-style latches and safety pins for solid, secure mounting; a winch tray that fits up to a 16 point 5k winch and works with most brands; heavy-duty construction with one point nine-inch, fourteen gauge tubing and a laser-cut center screen; and black textured powder coat finish for long-lasting good looks.

Each winch-style grille guard comes with a comprehensive three-year warranty covering materials, workmanship, and finish (excluding exposed welds).

Founded in 1978 by R.J. Orth, Go Industries has been building tough, reliable gear for trucks, fleets, and law enforcement for over 46 years. They run multiple plants out of Richardson and Clifton, Texas, with a combined 150,000 square feet of production space.

Every product is made right here in the USA using high-tech tools like computer-guided machines and robotic welders—so you get serious precision and durability in every piece. Backed by solid warranties and a long-standing commitment to American manufacturing, Go Industries keeps pushing the envelope in truck accessory innovation.

Whether you're managing a commercial fleet, running tow trucks, working in fire response, or just need a guard that gets the job done, Go Industries' winch-style grille guards are built to handle it.

Don't settle for protection that compromises access. Get the best of both worlds with the original tilt body grille guard from Go Industries.

Find the perfect match for your medium duty truck today by clicking on the URL in the description.

If you want to look as glowy and ageless as a celebrity, but you don’t have the budget for countless cosmetic procedures and every fancy serum under the sun, ProVital Skin is excited to be bringing you an all-in-one anti-aging skincare solution you can afford.

ProVital Skin’s powerful new anti-aging cream will offer you high-end ‘celebrity’ ingredients within an amazingly affordable formulation.

Their new ProVital Skin Beauty Cream has been designed to fight the major signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, sagging and poor laxity, and uneven and dull skin... so if you’re dealing with any of these, this is the perfect new cream for you.

The new ProVital Skin Beauty Cream has been formulated with several advanced ingredients like tripeptide-5, which is made up of three skin-firming and wrinkle-reducing collagen-stimulating amino acids, and which is capable of penetrating deeply into your skin for more profound skin tightening results.

Their unique formulation also features dipeptide diamino, which has been widely lauded as being ‘botox in a bottle’ and is particularly popular among Hollywood celebrities—as a spokesperson for ProVital Skin explained, this powerful ingredient has been shown to reduce wrinkle depth within days of use.

This already rich formulation is further enhanced by 1-hexadecanol, which will ensure that your skin is deeply hydrated on a daily basis for an overall smoother, softer, and more supple complexion. Plus, ProVital Skin is proud to be one of the first brands that are using AMS-33, a new ingredient that is designed to offer you ‘baby soft’ skin.

ProVital Skin’s spokesperson said, “Our incredibly rich and luxurious anti-aging cream has been formulated with clinically proven ingredients to target and treat all core aging signs simultaneously.”

Because of this advanced combination, ProVital Skin is confident that their new cream can reverse your wrinkles and restore elasticity to your skin by increasing your collagen production and rebuilding the cellular structure of your skin.

It can also protect your skin from further damage from free radicals because of its rich amino acid profile, while delivering real nourishment for a younger and more radiant look.

Despite the strength of their formulation, the brand’s new ProVital Skin Beauty Cream is also gentle, meaning it should be perfect for you whatever your skin type is. Plus, you can use it on your complete face and neck, including the more sensitive skin around your eyes.

“We are excited for you to rejuvenate your damaged skin and experience a youthful, vibrant skin and growing confidence,” their spokesperson added. “With each application, this cream will hydrate, nourish, and tighten the skin, eliminating stubborn wrinkles and fine lines to help achieve youthful clarity and a luminous vibrancy.”

Shop the ProVital Skin Beauty Cream at the website in the description.

Nano Hearing Aids, a leader in FDA-registered over-the-counter (OTC) hearing technology is reinforcing the importance of accessible hearing support amid ongoing US government policy changes that may impact the affordability of medical devices in 2025. While the full scope of recently announced tariffs remains unclear, OTC hearing aids continue to offer a practical and cost-effective solution for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

Recent tariff policy updates announced by President Trump include a 10% baseline tax on foreign goods, raising concerns about potential cost increases in the medical device sector. Though some products may qualify for exemptions under Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, the verdict among industry players about which way the tide will turn, is still out.

While prescription hearing aids can cost anywhere from $1,000 to over $6,000 a pair, many OTC models—like those offered by Nano Hearing Aids starting at just 297 dollars — present a far more affordable option for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Regulated by the FDA since 2022, OTC hearing aids do not require a prescription or fitting. Meanwhile, they offer many of the same benefits as prescription models and, as noted by Consumer Reports, are suitable for nearly 90 percent of people with hearing loss.

“At Nano Hearing Aids, we understand that every individual’s hearing needs are unique,” says Dan Thomas, Vice-President of Operations. “As the market shifts, we remain committed to providing solutions that are both effective and economically accessible.”

These commitments are important as several widely documented studies concerning individuals whose hearing is changing, show hearing aids can improve their quality of life and potentially stave off depression and dementia.

Nano’s OTC lineup includes a range of affordable and user-friendly options, including their discreet Completely-in-Canal (CIC) models and the ear bud style First Ear Plus In-the-Ear (ITE) model.

All Nano OTC hearing devices feature noise reduction, feedback management, and rechargeable batteries. Buttons and controls are engineered to help those with dexterity issues like arthritis make necessary adjustments with ease. And for the tech-savvy segment, Nano’s Audacity R-I-C hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled and app-controlled, allowing the user to stream music and take calls through their devices and make adjustments using the app.

A 2025 report from Research and Markets reveals the US hearing aid market has witnessed a significant surge in demand, with more adults now turning to OTC hearing aids as a fast and easy solution to mild or moderate hearing loss.

Among the companies consistently recognized for offering some of the best hearing aids for purchase online is Nano Hearing Aids. Named a Top E-N-T Solutions Provider in 2023 and offering 24-7 lifetime support to its clients, Nano continues to prioritize innovation and customer care.

As the dust has yet to settle on the tariff front and with President Trump continuing to vacillate on policy intentions and exemptions, individuals considering OTC hearing aids may want to act now. With a variety of style options and design features suitable for a range of budgets and technical preferences, consumers managing mild to moderate hearing loss should have no trouble finding the right devices for their needs.

Known for its innovative solutions and customer-centric approach, Nano Hearing Aids® has been a leader in hearing aid technology for nearly a decade. All Nano products are Class 1, OTC compliant, and FDA registered.

Click on the link in the summary to find out more.

You know, there's been a lot of buzz lately about this fascinating substance called Shilajit. Have you ever wondered how something that literally oozes out of mountain cracks became one of the most sought-after natural ingredients?

Mission Prep has just released a helpful new resource for families on the role of the school counselor in improving teens’ mental health. If you want to better understand how school counselors support students’ academic, emotional, and social development, how you can partner with them to ensure your child thrives, or how a residential care center like Mission Prep also collaborates with them, they have the answers.

Mission Prep’s clinical team is pleased to share their comprehensive new guide on the role school counselors play in both supporting good mental health among teenagers and identifying teens in need.

Mission Prep is committed to being both a trusted provider of residential, inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare for teens, and to being a trusted resource with advice guides for parents and guardians like yourself.

If you are raising a teenager who is facing a mental health issue, they are here to help.

In their guide, Mission Prep explains the vital role played by school counselors, who are often the first port of call for students, and who are often credited with the early identification of mental health issues like anxiety and depression in students.

The clinical team at Mission Prep highly regards the work of school counselors, and as their new guide explains, a counselors’ referral is typically seen as a hugely valuable piece of a teen’s mental health puzzle. This means, if you are seeking help for your teen, their school counselor’s reports can give Mission Prep insights that their team will use to begin developing a personal care plan for your son or daughter.

If you’re worried about your child, a school counselor may also be a good first place to start, and though referrals often come from teachers, most counselors will work closely with you to develop a support plan that both covers school and your teen’s home life.

As Mission Prep’s clinical team explained in their new guide, school counselors can also provide more holistic support, which may cover study strategies, stress minimization, healthy relationship building, and more. That’s why, as their team explained, they have a highly positive relationship with school welfare teams, because their treatment plans take a similar view to mental health—not only working to treat an acute issue but working to create lifelong positive changes and develop positive behaviors and ways of thinking that your teen can take with them throughout their life.

Mission Prep is a leader in mental healthcare for adolescents in the States of California and Virginia. They offer a unique and carefully balanced combination of: evidence-based treatment modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapies, health and wellness therapies, alternative therapies like art and surf therapy, plus experiential outings like beach trips and movie nights.

Their spokesperson said, “We utilize a blend of time-tested therapeutic approaches as well as innovative interventions and create a sustainable experience that can be built upon long after the youth discharges from Mission Prep. Every element of care is conducted with attention and purpose from the sessions with our board-certified psychiatrist to the beautiful, home-like environment cultivated to bring a sense of belonging and connection for those in our care.”

Find out more about how teen mental healthcare looks at Mission Prep at the website in the description.

Looking for reliable teen mental health care that works well with Magellan insurance? Mission Prep is an in-network provider, making the whole process much easier for your whole family!

Understanding insurance benefits can be confusing at the best of times but Mission Prep simplifies the process by offering free insurance verification and providing hands-on assistance with Magellan coverage inquiries. Their dedicated staff handles all the paperwork and benefit checks, ensuring a seamless experience for your family.

The insurance team collaborates with Magellan to verify specific benefits and clearly outline any costs you may be responsible for, providing you with transparent information to make informed treatment decisions.

"As one of the leading providers of behavioral health services, Magellan covers a variety of treatments, including therapy, counseling, and residential care." a spokesperson says. At Mission Prep, we partner with Magellan to ensure teens receive the best possible support for their mental health journey."

Magellan covers teen mental health care across multiple levels: inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs. Therapy, counseling, and medication management are likewise covered.

The coverage extends to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which supports young people through the process of spotting and changing unhelpful thinking patterns, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which teaches emotional regulation - something many adolescents struggle with. Both approaches have strong success rates with teens and form the backbone of Mission Prep's treatment programs.

Mission Prep focuses solely on teen mental health and develops all its programs - both residential and outpatient - specifically for adolescents. Their specialists treat those dealing with anxiety and depression, facing mood disorders, trauma, and difficulties at school or with friends.

"Our facilities are an important part of the treatment process - we believe our clients must have a safe and welcoming environment to build the tools they need to facilitate healing," the team says.

Alongside the residential program, teens can get structured mental health care while staying at home through Mission Prep's outpatient and intensive outpatient services, letting them continue attending school and maintain family relationships during treatment.

If you're looking for mental health support that gets proven results, you're one click away!

Check out the link in the description for all the info you need to get started!