Franchise Interviews

On this date (2/13/2009), Franchise Interviews met with the Jersey Mike’s franchise opportunity. While the brand has grown significantly, Jersey Mike’s still makes sub sandwiches the same way they have been since 1956. Here is our original interview from 14 years ago!

We are meeting with Charlie Graves, Chief Executive Officer of Athletic Republic, the pioneers in the sports training industry. Athletic Republic offers state-of-the-art training that unlocks the potential of any athlete, helping them perform at their best. Over the past 30 years, their science-based protocols and specialized equipment have helped more than two million athletes of all ages achieve their goals. The brand takes safety seriously and trains every athlete to perform at the highest level. In Part Two, we play a clip form our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. 

Many years ago, we created a spinoff podcast called Great Quotes in Franchising. Great Quotes in Franchising features some “aha” moments from our weekly podcast. Today’s Great Quote in Franchising comes from Tom Scarda. Tom is a franchise consultant for FranChoice and the author of The Magic of Choosing Uncertainty. Tom is excellent at providing analogies on topics like motivation and entrepreneurship. Today’s Great Quote in Franchising is called, “It Doesn’t Hurt Enough,” but we will let Tom explain this notion.

We are meeting with Joshua Malik- CEO of the Joshua Tree franchise opportunity. Since 2005, Joshua Tree has built a reputation in the Lehigh Valley & Buxmont areas as one of the most trusted names in tree services, lawn care, and pest control. From its humblest beginnings, Joshua Tree has dedicated itself to standing out from our competition with a strong focus on training and professionalism. Every Business Has a Story The idea of being able to climb trees for a living sounded like a dream job but starting his own business by the time he was 30 years old was still daunting. Joshua grew the business slowly and steadily, getting all the right systems and processes for tree pruning, removal, plant health care, and other services. This systematic approach has made Joshua Tree Experts what it is today, a thriving organization with happy team members and thousands of satisfied customers. A recognizable and tested brand with 16+ years of experience and multiple branch offices Proven and refined syst

According to Parys et al (2023), "the deadline for filing a federal tax return is April 18, 2023. If you request a tax extension by April 18, 2023, your tax return will be due on October 16, 2023. But there's a catch — your tax bill will still be due on April 18. Getting a tax extension gives you more time to file your tax return, but it does not provide more time to pay your taxes." PA Josh Horn once suggested there would be so many more valuable private businesses if they would redirect the time and energy used on tax avoidance into value creation.  First, we discuss tax tips with Craig Cody. As a Certified Tax CoachTM, Craig Cody belongs to a select group of practitioners throughout the country who undergo extensive training on various tax planning techniques and strategies to become and remain certified. Craig has co-authored an Amazon bestseller, Secrets of a Tax-Free Life, with this organization. Their clients include, but are not limited to, Medical Professionals, Clothing Sourcing Businesses, and Co

We have a great show. For our first show for 2023, we are remembering James Lipton. James Lipton was the iconic dean of the Actors Studio. You might know James Lipton for his popular show "Inside the Actors Studio." On each episode, Mr. Lipton would ask actors a series of questions in front of a live audience, which typically consisted of students. What I loved about Mr. Lipton's interview style was that he knew more about his guests than they knew about their own lives. At the end of each show, he would ask a series of questions inspired by Bernard Pivot. In one instance, I interviewed actor, friend, and founder of Telephone Doctor Nancy Friedman on my weekly podcast Franchise Interviews. Listen to Nancy's responses. What is your favorite word? What is your least favorite word? What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally? What turns you off? What sound or noise do you love? What sound or noise do you hate? What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? If Heaven ex

We are meeting with Shelly Sun, CEO & Founder of  BrightStar Care. BrightStar Care boasts more than 365 locations nationwide that provide medical and non-medical services to clients in their homes and supplemental care staff to corporate clients. BrightStar Care franchise agencies across the country employ over 15,000 caregivers and 5,700 registered nurses who oversee the care and safety of each individual client. In addition, BrightStar Care is the only national home care franchise to receive The Joint Commission's Enterprise Champion for Quality award consecutively for the last decade.In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast - Franchising Levels the Playing Field - Over the years we have had some great stories on franchising. Today's podcast features Terry Corkery of FranchiseWorks.com. Terry said something very profound when we interviewed him on our weekly radio show. He suggested franchising levels the playing field. Find out why.

I told my friend Nancy Friedman on her recent podcast that one of the many benefits of hosting a podcast is meeting and speaking to people you wouldn't ordinarily get to talk to daily. In other words, people you admire and respect. Some examples include Warren Greshes, Nancy Friedman, Dr. John Tantillo, Michael Gerber, Dr. Scott Shane, and previous guests from favorite shows like Shark Tank and Under Cover Boss.The list is too long! Today we will discuss four books that make great stocking stuffers or holiday gifts. They include: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About ItAwakening the Entrepreneur Within: How Ordinary People Can Create Extraordinary CompaniesThe Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths That Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Policy Makers Live ByBorn Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders: How Your Genes Affect Your Work Life The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber, is the entrepreneurial myth"...the myth that entrepreneurs start small businesses. Many have bee

We have a great show.  We are meeting with Jon Ostenson.  Jon Ostenson is a Consultant, Owner/Investor, and Author specializing in Non-Food Franchising. He draws on his experience as a former Inc. 500 Franchise President and Multi-Brand Franchisee in serving his clients.  We discuss Jon’s new book “Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Franchise Ownership.”  In part two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  

This show was one of our first podcasts on WorldTalkRadio. Even the best athletes in the world have a coach. David Levine, franchisee and business coach to Action International/Action Coach, was a catalyst in getting franchise interviews off the ground. The story is discussed on the show. Listen to David speak about the Action International franchise opportunity, business coaching, and entrepreneurship. Click the play button below.

We have a great show. We are meeting with Ryan Tuchman, CEO and Founder of Hi-Five Sports Franchising. Hi-Five’s mission is to enrich the lives of children through team sports in a fun and non-intimidating manner. They emphasize fun and entertainment that provides children with an unparalleled youth sports experience. Every Business Has A Story Founded in Chicago’s North Shore by Marvin Tuchman in 1990, Hi-Five Sports has since been handed down to his sons, Ryan and Danny, making it a business run by families for families. Hi-Five’s commitment to changing the mindset around youth sports programs has resonated with families nationwide because their kids leave each session feeling more confident and ambitious than before.  

Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast - One Question You Must Ask Before Buying A Franchise. One person I have always wanted to interview is Melanie Bergeron, the Chair for Two Men and a Truck. We had Melanie on our six year anniversary show. Melanie gave some great advice. One great feature of franchising is you can speak to previous and current franchisees.  

David Pikoff, co-founder of Games2U, launched the mobile video game theater franchise in Austin, TX in 2007. David will talk about how Games2U is quickly replacing "same-old" traditional birthday celebrations such as bowling, ice skating and pizza parties. He will discuss how he and Stuart came up with the idea for Games2U and what it is like working side by side with a sibling. David can also share their current strategies for helping to expand the business throughout the country.      About Games2U - Games2U is transforming the video gaming and party industry. Founded in 2007 by brothers David and Stuart Pikoff, Games2U offers an interactive, state-of-the-art entertainment alternative for birthday, corporate and community gatherings. With parties starting at $199, the franchise is quickly becoming one of the hottest attractions at outdoor events and community and corporate gatherings.  

Today’s Great Quote in Franchising comes from the founder of Creatif, Jaya Aiyar. Creatif is the experiential art destination that looks to entertain, educate and inspire. An art studio for all ages, Creatif boasts unique and innovative technology, a variety of options, and an award-winning studio space.  Jaya provides advice to our listeners on what to look for when buying a franchise.  She starts off with knowing your “why?”

We have a great show.  We are meeting with Adenah Bayoh, co-founder of Cornbread Farm to Soul? Founded in 2017 by Co-Founders Adenah Bayoh and Elzadie “Zadie” Smith, Cornbread specializes in mouthwatering, soul food creations such as baked mac & cheese, collard greens, yams, chicken, signature cornbread, and other specialty menu items. Cornbread is based in New Jersey and has three open locations in the NYC/NJ area. As Bayo and Smith set out to open their fast-casual restaurant business, they set their hearts on soul food. Soul food is a category of food that has the power to bring people together and lacks representation in most communities and within the franchise industry. The duo now aims to distinguish and establish its franchise system through Cornbread’s unique company goals, values, and promise to continually service residents in communities where they operate and help more women and minorities become successful franchisees. We play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast in P

We are meeting with the President and CEO of the Big Frog franchise opportunity, Tina Bacon DeFrece.  Locally owned and operated, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More specializes in Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, a clean and green apparel printing technology. Big Frog is a one-stop-shop for “un-frog-ettable” custom apparel with a wide selection of services including screen printing, embroidery, vinyl, and Ultra Print (heat press). Established in 2008 by co-founders Leeward Bean, Tina Bacon-DeFrece and Ron DeFrece, the franchise brand has since expanded to nearly 100 locations in 25 states and Canada offering free 15-minute, in-person design help, no minimums, and fast turnaround (often 24-hours) on DTG printing. Globally headquartered in Dunedin, Fla., Big Frog Franchise Group is led by President and CEO Tina Bacon-DeFrece.  Big Frog launched the veteran-focused initiative to help veterans and first responders fulfill their dreams of owning a small business. Recently named one of the “Top Low-Cost Franchi

Reflection Interview Franchise Interviews started off as a newsletter.  I had no idea I would be hosting one of the longest running podcasts on the topic of franchising.  Sometime back in 2006, Anita Campbell invited me on her show Small Business Trends Radio to discuss the newsletter.  Needless to say, I was a bit nervous because this was my first appearance on the radio.  I recently listened to the podcast with Anita and realized how much I have grown as a person.  Several months later, I got an invitation to turn our newsletter into a weekly internet radio show/podcast.  I thank God I said yes to the offer.  I was able to see what our website looked like in 2005 from the website Archive.org.  I will include some of those photos in the show notes.  Listen to my interview with Anita Campbell over 17 years ago!  

We are meeting with Jodi Scott and Brad James of the Superior Wash franchise opportunity. Superior Wash is a national 24-hour mobile fleet washing company. The company is a leader in the fleet-washing industry and services Fortune 500 clients such as Coca-Cola, Fed-Ex, UPS, and Budweiser trucks. Not only does the company help to alleviate the pressure of rising gas costs for corporate-owned fleet systems by conveniently traveling to an accounts fleet site, but it also uses an environmentally friendly water recovery system. Click the play button below to listen to the show. 

We are welcoming back Andy Diamond, President of Angry Crab Shack. Combining bold flavors in Asian food with his knowledge of seafood, Ron Lou launched Angry Crab Shack in 2013 in Mesa, AZ. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant, Angry Crab Shack offers a vibrant, memorable dining environment and high-quality seafood at a more affordable price. Every business has a story. Former NFL player Ron Lou spent four years in the league with the Houston Oilers than the Philadelphia Eagles. During the next 35 years, he created five different restaurant concepts: breakfast, a sports bar, and three Chinese restaurants. Ready for another success, Lou set out to create something unique – not just another wing, burger, or pizza place. In part wo, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.