In an era where technology is advancing at lightning speed, franchisors must adapt or risk being left behind. Enter Jeremy Brazeal, a visionary from Reality Interactive, who who previously led groundbreaking consumer, digital engagement, and advertising work for global icons like The LEGO Group and The Coca-Cola Company. Now agency-side at Reality, he’s helping redefine how brands connect with customers through the power of AI and smart retail tools. Jeremy’s keen focus on using tech to cultivate customer affinity has propelled him to the cutting edge of AI innovation in franchising.
In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Jeremy reveals:
How AI serves as an invisible but invaluable friend in driving customer loyalty
The creative ways AI tools are boosting revenue streams in unexpected sectors
Strategies for integrating AI seamlessly without overwhelming your budget
Real-world examples of AI transforming the athletics industry through hyper-personalization
Ways AI can refine the in-store experience and streamline customer interactions
On AI’s Role as a Brand's Best Friend
Jeremy Brazeal: “AI could very much have the person on the other side, the cashier, be AI. That cashier is also, to an extent, a nutritionist...So in the future world that is now, sometimes the cashier is a nutritionist.”
On Creating Value Through Technology
Jeremy Brazeal: “The big shift that's happened is really about the power of the hardware and then AI's ability to access a ton of data points at once...you want to have that conversation. It's personal. You want those solutions personalized to you.”
On Core Mission Focus
Jeremy Brazeal: "What is that mission that you're trying to accomplish that's going to differentiate you from your competitors? What is that core mission? And then if you're going to incorporate something like an AI tool, how does it help you achieve that core mission? And if it doesn't, don't do it."
Mike Hamra’s family legacy in the franchising industry spans generations. In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike joins Dan Rowe as he shares insights into his remarkable journey from practising law to leading a powerhouse in the franchise world.
In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike reveals:
The Hamra family's journey as Wendy’s franchisees since 1975
Growing a 200+ franchise empire across Wendy’s, Panera, and Noodles
Investing in people and training to transform operations
Family values and harmony as keys to multi-generational success
Navigating the challenges and rewards of a family-owned business
On the Importance of Engaging Leadership
Mike: “You have to be a really strong leader, but you also have to manage. There's a difference between being a leader and somebody who's gonna manage your business. Managing your business is really creating a structure that things flow into the restaurant and get managed.”
On Building a Culture of Excellence
Mike: “We pay our student employees in high school and college to do their homework in our stores. That really drives a very different kind of culture inside our organization that, you know, you don't see across the industry.”
On the Future of Hamra Enterprises
Mike: “We're committed to a future of growth and continuing to develop or acquire markets where we can support people that work for us and their families. In ten years, we should be double in size, should be easily because we're getting to that size now where we can take bigger bites on acquisitions.”
How do you turn a small franchise into a massive empire?In this episode, Dan Rowe chats with Neel Bhargava, co-founder of NB Group, who’s reshaping the world of franchise investment with his unique multi-unit, multi-brand approach. Neel’s journey took him from the world of consulting and private equity to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur, scaling some of the most successful brands in the franchise space.In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Neel reveals:-How he invested in Crunch Fitness group that scaled from just 10 locations to over 65-The European Wax Center’s strategic growth and how it sparked huge expansion-Franchise investment: the pros and cons from a private equity perspective-Managing the complexities of team building, financial infrastructure, and making the right investmentsOn the Investment Strategy that Drove Exponential GrowthNeel: “You start with a platform business, and then you make add-on acquisitions to build it... Rolling up a couple of franchisees to get the volume and continue growth while managing the challenges of integrating various companies.”On Embracing the Franchising ChallengesNeel: “There are pros and cons to franchising... Some of the pros are less upfront thought and work required. There's a playbook that's been written for you... The negatives are, back to the playbook, the quality of that playbook varies and you don’t have control to really impact it.”On Leveraging Analytical Insight for SuccessNeel: “We aim to make at least three and a half times our money on every investment... Payback period on that new build CapEx is critical to determining how much we like a multi-unit concept.”
On today’s episode, we sit down with SG Ellison, the powerhouse behind a 360+ unit franchise empire and the first-ever Taco Bell Cantina.
SG didn’t scale by cutting corners—he scaled by investing in people, pushing innovation, and playing the long game. From buying his first 85 units to developing the highest volume Taco Bell in the world, SG’s story is a masterclass in thoughtful, purpose-driven growth.
In this episode, SG shares:
-How he built a 360-unit portfolio across multiple QSR brands
-The origin of Taco Bell Cantina and what made it work
-How he retains top leaders after major acquisitions
-What it means to grow with purpose—not just profit
-Why franchisees need a seat at the table in policy conversations
“Our purpose is to positively impact the lives of the team and the communities that we serve. And that's it.”
If you’re serious about scaling smart, leading with intention, and being the kind of franchisee brands fight to land, this episode is unmissable.
On today’s episode, we sit down with Amer Wahab, the operator behind one of the most impressive unit economics in fast casual—$5.3M in sales from a single Kettlemans Bagel location.
Amer built a powerhouse brand with industry-leading retention, a cult following, and a model that’s built to scale. Even through the darkest days of COVID, Kettlemans came out stronger, smarter, and more profitable than ever.
In this episode, Amer shares:
- The exact systems behind his $5.3M AUV
- Why cash flow beats EBITDA in real-world operations
- How he slashed turnover to just 37% in an industry averaging 90%
- The power of “stay interviews” and culture-first leadership
- Why keeping things simple and consistent fuels growth
“COVID taught us a valuable lesson... EBITDA is important, but cash is king. When those things happen, you need cash.”
– Amer Wahab
If you're a franchisee, operator, or aspiring multi-unit owner, this episode is loaded with insights on how to build a business that scales without losing its soul.
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Noah Glass, the visionary founder of Olo, who turned an everyday frustration into a billion-dollar tech company that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry.
Nearly 20 years ago, Noah imagined a world where you could skip the coffee shop line and order food seamlessly from your phone. Today, Olo processes $26B annually and powers millions of restaurant transactions, helping brands build direct digital connections with their guests.
Noah dives into:
- The moment that sparked Olo’s billion-dollar journey
- How guest data is transforming customer loyalty & profitability
- Why pickup-only kitchens could be the future of dining
- How traditional restaurant brands are thriving with digital-first strategies
"We're enabling brands to personalize the guest experience and drive profitable traffic into their concepts, into their operators, into their franchisees." – Noah Glass
If you're a franchisee, franchisor, or entrepreneur in the restaurant space, this episode is a must-listen—packed with insights on scaling smarter, leveraging data, and building an enduring brand.
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Kathryn Chayka, the powerhouse who built massive success in franchise turnarounds, taking 12 struggling Wendy’s locations and making a multi-million dollar success story.
Fresh out of college, Kathryn took over a territory of underperforming Wendy’s stores in Quebec and added over $1M in new revenue per location. She’s proving that smart strategy, strong leadership, and local marketing can drive explosive franchise growth.
Kathryn shares the secrets behind her success, including:
- How she transformed struggling stores into high-revenue locations
- The power of empowering leadership and supportive teams
- Her community-first marketing strategies that boost both sales & loyalty
- Post-COVID operational shifts that improved efficiency and profitability
- Why learning from top-performing franchisees is key to long-term success
“Delivering value doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Customers want great deals on quality products—when they feel they’re getting value, sales follow.”
Whether you're a franchisee, franchisor, or an entrepreneur looking to scale, this episode is packed with game-changing insights from someone who’s built massive success in franchise turnarounds.
On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Brian Beers, a franchise broker and entrepreneur who built a $45M franchise empire from scratch.
At just 37, Brian scaled his franchise portfolio of Midas shops to 33 locations, challenging the norms of franchising and proving that creativity, servant leadership, and strategic thinking can fuel explosive growth.
Brian shares the secret to his success including how mastermind groups helped accelerate his business, the importance of shifting from operations to strategy, and why aligning with the franchisor's long-term vision is critical to sustainable expansion.
Brian shares, “To truly grow a business, you have to replace yourself in operational roles. Hire, train, and empower your team to handle the day-to-day so you can focus on strategic expansion. It’s about progress, not perfection, letting go of control and trusting your people.”
Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with invaluable insights from someone who’s truly built it all from the ground up!
On today’s episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips, to talk about what it takes to build a legacy business in franchising.
Before leading one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, Steve started as a franchisee with a vision. Over the past 36 years, he’s helped transform Great Clips from 150 salons to over 4,450—all while keeping the business model simple, efficient, and franchisee-focused. His journey is a testament to the power of disciplined growth, strong relationships, and a commitment to what works.
Steve shares how the International Franchise Association (IFA) has helped protect and strengthen the franchising community, why staying laser-focused on haircuts has been a winning strategy, and how Great Clips has managed to avoid franchise litigation for nearly two decades. He also highlights the importance of franchisee involvement in decision-making through committees and task forces, fostering a culture of collaboration that has driven the brand’s success.
Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or just love a great business success story, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Ron Gardner’s journey from spinning records to spinning the wheels of justice is nothing short of extraordinary. As a former disc jockey turned trial lawyer, Ron has made a significant impact on the franchising world by protecting franchisees from fraud and unfair practices. Guided by his blue-collar upbringing, his mission is to support individuals striving to improve their circumstances, often against powerful franchisors.
In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Ron shares:
On Ron’s Motivation to Support Franchisees
Ron: “Growing up in a blue-collar family, I saw firsthand the struggles and aspirations of hardworking individuals. That fueled my desire to protect those who might not have the means to stand against powerful entities alone. They're not just clients; they’re people trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.”
On the Ripple Effects of Business Failure
Ron: “I’ve witnessed the devastating consequences of a failing franchise—financial ruin, strained personal relationships. It’s like a ripple effect, impacting every facet of a franchisee's life. It's why I emphasize the importance of fair agreements and thoughtful decision-making.”
On Franchisor’s Ethical Responsibility
Ron: “Ethical franchising is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. California's regulation 919 is a step in the right direction, and I believe other states will follow. Franchisors have a duty to foster trust and fairness. Only then can we truly achieve a win-win situation.”
What does it take to transform a local beauty brand into a franchise powerhouse?
In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Moore, COO of GLO30, who’s helping turn a local favorite into a rapidly expanding beauty franchise with over 100 locations in development. Before this, Tyler was instrumental in growing brands like Drybar and Elements Massage at Wellbiz, a global wellness franchise leader—so he knows what it takes to make a brand thrive.
From uncovering what separates the top performers from the strugglers to building a customer-first culture that scales, Tyler is spilling the secrets of franchise success:
🎯 The key traits of winning franchisees (and why not everyone should be one).
💡 Why the right operations and culture can make or break a business.
👥 How to recruit and build a team that grows with you.
🏪 The essentials of standing out in a competitive industry.
Whether you're a beauty industry lover, a franchisee looking to expand, or just curious about what it takes to create an empire, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Aaron Harper’s path to franchising was anything but ordinary. From navigating the glitz and glam of Hollywood to building Rolling Suds into a standout franchise, Aaron has seen both the spotlight and the shadows of entrepreneurship. In this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart, he doesn’t hold back on what it takes to build a franchise system that truly works—for both the franchisor and the franchisee.
Aaron pulls back the curtain on the dark side of franchising, sharing how glossy pitches can fail franchisees when expectations and support aren’t aligned. He also offers a roadmap for change, unveiling six strategies to reshape franchising into a transparent, supportive ecosystem. From ethical franchise sales to providing education for franchisees, Aaron paints a picture of what responsible franchising should look like—and why it matters.
He even dives into the bold steps the International Franchise Association (IFA) is taking to regulate the sales process and what franchisors must do to set their franchisees up for success, starting with solid systems, proper vetting, and a rethinking of compensation models.If you’re passionate about building something bigger than yourself—whether you’re a franchisor, broker, or potential franchisee—Aaron’s insights will inspire you to rethink what success really means in franchising.
As a law student working shifts in a restaurant, Ray Harrigill couldn’t have guessed that would become a launchpad for his franchising journey. Fast-forward 25 years, and Ray has built a thriving multi-unit business, bringing powerhouse brands like Massage Envy, My Salon Suite, and Palm Beach Tan into smaller markets with big returns.
In this episode, Ray opens up about the lessons learned from these decisions, why he sees small markets as hidden gems for profitability, and how investing in team culture has helped him build a sustainable, growth-oriented company.
In this conversation, Ray shares:
- The unexpected benefits of operating in small markets, from lower costs to stronger community ties.
- His approach to nurturing talent, creating a workplace where people want to stay and grow.
- Insights into the power of owning real estate and the patience required to see these investments pay off.
- Why continuously adapting is essential to succeed in a dynamic franchise landscape.
Ray’s advice for aspiring franchisees is clear: choose a business that fuels your passion, prioritize your customers, and embrace the commitment needed to thrive. From understanding your organization’s perception to fine-tuning processes, Ray’s journey is a reminder that small steps—paired with patience and purpose—can lead to big success.
Fransmart is the global leader in franchise development.
Ross Weisman grew a single Massage Envy location into a 250+ unit empire across eight states. In this episode, he shares key insights from his success as an area representative for Massage Envy and European WaxCenter.
Now, as co-founder of Epic Managers, Ross helps franchisees find and keep top talent. His experience shows that great managers are worth the investment - they reduce turnover, improve customer service, and boost profits.
This episode offers practical tips on hiring, compensating, and supporting managers to build successful franchise operations, perfect for anyone looking to grow their franchise business through better leadership.
In this episode, Dan Rowe sits down with John Hamburger, President of Franchise Times and Restaurant Finance Monitor, to discuss the secrets of success in the franchising industry. With a wealth of experience in finance and franchising, John shares his insights on industry growth, the challenges faced by restaurant brands, and what makes a strong franchise model. They explore key topics like unit economics, franchisee profitability, and the rising importance of non-food franchises. John also dives into the challenges of access to capital and the ongoing shakeout in the restaurant industry, offering valuable advice for anyone considering franchising. This episode is packed with real-world insights from a true expert in the field.
Join Dan Rowe as he sits down with Irfaan Lalani, co-founder and CEO of Vibe Restaurants, who went from starting with one Little Caesars location to now running over 125+ restaurants across multiple brands, including Little Caesars, Wingstop, and Whataburger. Irfaan talks about the challenges of scaling in small markets, the importance of people in franchising, and the "vibification" process that sets his restaurants apart. He offers an honest look at turning around struggling locations, emphasizing that strong leadership and letting managers take ownership are key to thriving. For anyone serious about growing a franchise, Lalani's journey offers real-world lessons you can’t afford to miss.
Starting with just a dream and sheer determination, Andrew Feghali has carved out a remarkable empire in the franchising world.
Andrew Feghali, a self-made multi-unit franchisee, shares his journey from working in his family's Little Caesars at 13 to owning over 60 locations across three major brands.
In this episode, he reveals the keys to his success, including the importance of operational excellence, investing in people, and building strong partnerships with franchisors.
Andrew discusses his approach to growth, the challenges of operating in California, and the value of networking in the franchise industry. He also offers advice for aspiring franchisees, emphasizing the need to hire for future growth and the benefits of joining peer groups.
With candid insights on franchise finance, leadership, and scaling operations, this conversation provides a roadmap for success in the competitive world of franchise ownership.
