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

How does one go from a multi-unit franchisee to owner and CEO of the company?

Tracy’s dedication to the mission, vision and values of the organization led her to make the leap from franchisee to CEO.

In today’s episode, Tracy shares her foray into the franchisee space, and no it didn’t start with the Just Between Friends (JBF) franchise!

But it was this first step that would lead her to JBF and the powerhouse leader she is today.

Tracy dives into her commitment to helping franchise owners succeed through principles like the JBF Way and her reinforcement of core values and team culture.

So, if you are ready to be truly inspired by a leader in the franchising space, press play and let’s go!

Episode Highlights:

• Tracy’s journey to leadership success

• Transition from a multi-unit franchisee to CEO

• JBF and it’s success story

• Tracy’s success as a franchisee

• What is the JBF Way?

• 5 principles to help franchisees succeed

• Tracy’s emphasis on core values 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: podcast@jbfsale.com

Connect with Shannon

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

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

What is it truly like to start your own franchise?

What challenges do you face as the franchisor?

Shannon Wilburn is the innovative force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System.

Today, she shares about the pivotal role of open communication and transparency in fostering strong relationships with franchisees.

She sheds light on the challenges and rewards of guiding a successful franchise system as well as navigating the demanding landscape of business ownership and her unwavering faith during periods of uncertainty and transformation.

So, if you are ready to dig deep into business and personal growth press play and listen in!

Episode Highlights:

• Shannon’s journey as an entrepreneur

• Evolution of Just Between Friends into a Franchise System

• Challenges of managing the franchisee-franchisor relationship

• Navigating conflicts and business interests

• Impact of personal issues on decision-making

• Challenges faced with an event-based business during Covid

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

Whether you're a franchise or franchisee, or aspiring to join the franchising world, you're in the right place!

Welcome to The Franchise Leadership Forum, the podcast that tackles the challenges and pains that you face every day.

From understanding franchise dynamics to growing and supporting your franchisees. We get it because we've been there and continue to do it every day.

The podcast is hosted by Tracy Panase and co host, Shannon Wilburn.

Shannon founded and grew the Just Between Friends franchise system to over 150 units in 33 states before selling the company to me, her top franchisee.

Together we bring a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on all things franchising.

We'll dive into topics like building effective teams, navigating the franchisee franchisor relationship, and scaling your business to the next level.

You'll learn proven principles from practitioners who live and breathe franchising.

Plus we will feature interviews with industry experts, talented franchisors, experienced franchisees and trusted suppliers, all sharing their insights and success stories.

Whether you're already in the franchising game or just curious to learn more, you're in the right place, and we're so excited you're here. Let's go!!

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