Fit for the Future: Tech & Innovation in Franchising

Just like all other businesses, AI has affected franchising in a great way. If you are still clinging to legacy systems, this episode is a wake-up call!

In this episode, Rick speaks with the founder of the Franchise CTO, Parnell Woodard, about how technology is and will affect franchising.

Parnell is a tech entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple companies specializing in data analytics and digital transformation for franchises. With years of experience in both technology and franchise operations, Parnell shares his thoughts on how AI is reshaping sales, marketing, and customer engagement.

From Agentic AI automating business decisions to the next wave of fitness wearables, Rick and Parnell cover it all. They explain how franchise owners can upgrade outdated systems, leverage AI tools, and create seamless customer experiences.

🔥 Don’t get left behind! Tune in and future-proof your business!

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)

Parnell Woodard’s background in tech & franchising (02:09)

The biggest challenges with legacy systems in businesses (07:09)

How businesses should approach digital transformation (10:13)

The explosion of AI in sales, CRM, and marketing (16:48)

Wearables and AI-driven hybrid fitness coaching (22:58)

How AI is reshaping marketing & why CMOS must adapt (26:25)

Parnell’s hilarious karaoke story in Bermuda (29:16)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Parnell Woodard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parnellwoodard/

Website: https://thefranchisecto.com/

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- Alloy Personal Training

- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity

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