How does one go from working at a Fortune 500 company doing jobs like production supervisor, plant industrial engineer, marketer, finance person and more to running an ice cream franchise business?

Dave first fell in love with the Haagen-Daz Shoppes franchise because of the entrepreneurship and putting people in business. After this first foray into the franchise space Dave never looked back and has continued to forge his way through the franchise space.

Today’s guest, Dave Keil, is president of Franworth, an Ann-Arbor based firm who build, incubate and grow emerging companies via a franchise model. Prior to Franworth, Dave led four franchise companies as CEO: The Lash Lounge, Pure Barre, Honeybaked Ham and Haagen-Daz Shoppes.

In 2020, Dave founded the 501(c)3 company Franchise For Good, and has since partnered with 18 non-profit companies and the University of Notre Dame to help non-profits scale.

Dave shares his experiences in transforming struggling franchises, his role in shaping the growth of Franworth, his emphasis on his three key factors for success - people, purpose and product, and his mission to create opportunities for small business ownership, regardless of financial resources.

So, if you are ready to listen in on Dave’s insights on the expansive potential of franchising as a force for good and how he has paved the way for a future where purpose-driven growth and positive changes are synonymous then it’s time to press play!

Connect with Dave:

Website: www.davekeil.com

Franworth: https://www.franworth.com/

Franchise for Good: https://franchiseforgood.org/

Episode Highlights:

• How Dave ended up in franchising

• Dave’s leadership role in franchise businesses

• The influence of Dave’s engineering background on his approach to entrepreneurship

• Franchise for good - Dave’s mission and values

• Dave’s initiative with Franchise for Good and its nonprofit focus

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: podcast@jbfsale.com

Connect with Shannon

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

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

Let’s just start with the biggest question we are all asking ourselves!

Why did Mary Kennedy Thompson leave Neighborly for BNI to become their CEO?

Today, Mary is sharing that answer with us as well as her remarkable journey through the franchise system as a trailblazing leader.

She sheds light on pivotal lessons in leadership, organizational change and the art of strategic decision-making.

Mary is an emblematic figure in the franchising landscape. Mary is currently the CEO at BNI. Prior to working with BNI, Mary was the COO as well as the executive Vice-President of Neighborly, and the president of Mr. Rooter. To say she brings a wealth of experience to the table is an understatement.

So, if you are ready to listen to Mary’s visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and her relentless pursuit of excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of franchising, press play!

Connect with Mary:

Email: Mary@bni.com

Episode Highlights:

• Mary’s journey in franchising

• Becoming president of Mr. Rooter and COO of Neighborly

• Importance of understanding and appreciating the front lines of business

• Influential figures in Mary’s leadership journey

• Why Mary accepted the CEO position at BNI

• Vision and execution in leadership

• The value of referrals

• Importance of building a strong team

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: podcast@jbfsale.com

Connect with Shannon

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

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

What happens when you sell your successful franchise to pursue a dream?

A dream that you ended up being denied?

You do everything in your power to overcome the obstacles and hurdles until that dream becomes a reality.

Today, we are joined by Bridget Jones. Bridget is a former owner of a Just Between Friends franchise and a current owner of a Chick-fil-A franchise.

Bridget candidly shares her journey from a teacher battling cancer to becoming a savvy entrepreneur and the rewards and challenges along her journey.

She talks about her journey into the Chick-fil-A franchise that started with her being rejected from being an owner to how she learned everything she could and worked her way into being a current Chick-fil-A franchise owner.

Bridget shares the importance of taking calculated risks, how humility has had a profound impact on her leadership style, the power of having mentors, emphasizing the importance of core values and employee value propositions, and so much more!

So, if you are ready to listen to Bridget’s story of resilience and leadership that is truly inspiring, press play and let's go!

Episode Highlights:

• Bridget’s journey to franchising

• Bridget’s purchase and sale of Just Between Friends

• Bridget’s journey through buying a Chick-fil-A franchise

• Overcoming adversity and navigating risks

• Importance of mentorship and learning

• Systemizing core values and employee value proposition

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: podcast@jbfsale.com

Connect with Shannon

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

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