Episodios

  • Alicia Miller: An Expert's Guide to Navigating Private Equity in Franchising!

    Alicia Miller: An Expert's Guide to Navigating Private Equity in Franchising!
    Jul 24 2024
    Over the past two weeks, we've delved into some fascinating finance conversations, centered upon creating liuidity events via royalty transactions, thanks to insights from Sean Morrison and David Earle. This week, we remain in the capital arena with Alicia Miller, a strategic advisor to franchise founders, leaders, and investors. Alicia Miller is the founder of Emergent Growth Advisors and author of the bestselling book "Big Money in Franchising. She joins us this week to discuss the transformative impact of private equity on franchising. With a trillion dollars in dry powder waiting to be deployed, private equity is reshaping the franchise landscape, partnering with over 700 brands, including Subway's notable acquisition by Rourke Capital for over $9 billion. Alicia's extensive experience includes advising franchise management teams and private capital firms on growth and value creation, alongside her work with Elevated Ventures Group and her contributions to Franchise Times, Entrepreneur, and Forbes. Alicia Miller, this week on Franchise Today..
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    30 m
  • David Earl, CFO, Stratus Building Solutions: Having Your Cake and Eating it Too!

    David Earl, CFO, Stratus Building Solutions: Having Your Cake and Eating it Too!
    Jul 17 2024
    Welcome to Franchise Today. In this week's episode, we continue our exploration of liquidity events that seem almost too magical to be true. Imagine achieving a liquidity event without sacrificing any equity or control over your brand. Last week, Sean Morrison from Diversified Royalty Management introduced us to this intriguing concept. Today, we're joined by David Earl, CFO at Stratus Building Solutions, the fastest-growing provider of green commercial janitorial services in the USA. David shares his journey of discovering and choosing royalty transactions over private equity, a decision that allowed Stratus to monetize their royalty base while maintaining full control and ownership. David's story provides a franchisor’s perspective on navigating liquidity events with this cutting edge approach and offers valuable insights into how other brands might position themselves for similar opportunities. Don't miss this fascinating discussion that could redefine how you think about liquidity and control in the franchising world. Next week, we remain in the world of PE and liquidity with Alicia Miller, a top franchise influencer and strategic advisor. Stay tuned for more powerful insights on Franchise Today.
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    32 m
  • Unlocking Liquidity Without Sacrificing Equity: A New Frontier in Franchising!

    Unlocking Liquidity Without Sacrificing Equity: A New Frontier in Franchising!
    Jul 9 2024
    In this episode, we hear from Sean Morrison, CEO of Diversified Royalty, as we delve into a groundbreaking approach to achieving liquidity for founder-led franchise concepts, without giving up any equity. This method allows qualified franchisors to monetize their current royalty base at very generous multiples of EBITDA, with no need to sell any equity, thus retaining ownership and the upside potential of future growth.
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    32 m
  • Graham Chapman: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same!

    Graham Chapman: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same!
    Jun 26 2024
    This week on Franchise Today, I am joined by Graham Chapman, who shares his unique journey into the franchising world, a path paved with family ties and serendipitous encounters. Discover how Graham's early experiences with 919 Marketing, a family business turned industry leader, shaped his career and set the stage for his current ventures. As the episode unfolds, Graham reveals some breaking news about his latest roles, including his position as CEO of Zor Forum, Visionary partner at Blue Maven, and his new coaching role at FranCoach. He discusses the importance of responsible franchising, the challenges and rewards of private equity partnerships, and the evolving landscape of the franchise world, post-COVID. Graham also highlights the value of mastermind groups for franchise leaders and shares exciting updates about upcoming events and initiatives. Tune in for a deep dive into the dynamics of franchising, the impact of family business transitions, and the power of strong professional relationships . Join us for an insightful discussion that offers valuable lessons and perspectives for anyone involved in the franchising space.
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    34 m
  • Sticky Fingers Cooking School, CEO Erin Fletter: A Rising Star in Franchising!

    Sticky Fingers Cooking School, CEO Erin Fletter: A Rising Star in Franchising!
    Jun 19 2024
    This week I welcome Erin Fletter, the passionate founder and CEO of Sticky Fingers Cooking. Discover how Erin's humble beginnings at her kitchen table led to the creation of a thriving children's cooking school franchise. Learn about her inspiring journey, the challenges she faced, and the innovative systems she implemented to begin successfully scaling her business across the United States. Erin shares her experiences and insights on the importance of giving back to the community, the critical role of technology in managing operations, and the unique international recipes that set Sticky Fingers Cooking apart. Get inspired by Erin's dedication to empowering women and minorities through franchising, and her commitment to building a supportive and inclusive business environment. Don't miss this insightful conversation that highlights the core values of franchising, the power of mentorship, and the impact of community-driven business models. Erin's passion and perseverance have earned our Rising Star for Q2, 2024. StickyFingersCookingSchool.
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    34 m
  • Donatos CEO, Tom Krouse: It's About the People, the Pizza, and a Whole Lot More!

    Donatos CEO, Tom Krouse: It's About the People, the Pizza, and a Whole Lot More!
    Jun 12 2024
    In this episode of Franchise Today, I sit down with Tom Krause, CEO of Donato's Pizza, for a compelling conversation about the storied history and exciting future of the beloved pizza brand. Tom shares his unique journey into the franchising world, starting with his early days at McDonalds and Wendy's and eventually leading him to Donato's. He discusses the transformative milestones that have shaped his career and the company, including McDonald's acquisition and subsequent buy-back of Donato's, the challenges and triumphs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic partnership with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers that has enabled national expansion. You will also hear about Tom's personal milestones, such as his marriage to the founder's daughter, Jane Grote Abell, and their combined efforts in fostering a strong company culture and commitment to community service through the Donato's Foundation. As Tom prepares to retire, he introduces his successor, Kevin King, and shares his optimistic vision for the future of Donato's and the pizza industry at large. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in franchising, business growth, and the power of strong leadership and culture.
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    32 m
  • Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks: Turning Lemons into Lemonade!

    Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks: Turning Lemons into Lemonade!
    Jun 5 2024
    This week I sit down with Tim Murphy, a company turnaround specialist, with a storied career in the restaurant, entertainment and franchising worlds. Tim shares his journey from working at Denny's Corporate to becoming a mentee of the late Applebee's International Founder and CEO, Abe Gustin Jr. Now, Tim has taken the helm at Boomers Parks a rising chain of Family Entertainment Centers. Learn about Tim's strategies for revitalizing struggling companies, the importance of core values, and the innovative steps he's taking to bring Boomers Parks into the franchising world. Tim also discusses the significance of taking care of both team members and guests, the challenges faced during COVID-19, and the exciting future of Boomers Parks. No matter your current point on the franchise compass, Tim's insights provide valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of a strong company culture.
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    43 m
  • Keith Gerson: From Hippie Rocker, to Franchise Rock Star. 50 + Years in the Biz!

    Keith Gerson: From Hippie Rocker, to Franchise Rock Star. 50 + Years in the Biz!
    May 29 2024
    Welcome to another exciting episode of Franchise Today. This week,I welcome Keith Gerson, a trusted friend, respected peer, and an erstwhile frenemy. Keith delves into his early days in franchising, starting from his hippie rock-and-roll days to his first serious job responding to an ad in the Portland Oregonian. He recounts his journey from being a multi-unit supervisor at McDonald's to significant roles in Jack in the Box and Mrs. Fields Cookies, sharing invaluable lessons on systems, processes, and leadership. The conversation highlights Keith's strategic moves during the Great Recession, emphasizing the importance of doubling down on marketing when others pulled back. Keith shares his experience working for private equity and his transition to FranConnect, where he honed his skills in scaling franchise businesses. As the discussion progresses, Keith introduces his latest venture, Gerson Advisory Services, aimed at helping franchisors sell more franchises, drive top-line revenues, improve operational performance, and increase franchisee engagement. He emphasizes the importance of personal branding and the unique value his extensive experience brings to the table. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone involved in the franchising world, illustrating the importance of continuous learning, strategic decision-making, and authentic leadership. Tune in to learn from one of the industry's most seasoned professionals.
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    37 m