Franchise Interviews

We have a great show today. Today is Day 3 of our 12 days of franchising where each day, from December 12 to December 24 we will ask Santa for a particular franchise.  On the third day of Christmas we ask Santa for the Big Frog franchise opportunity.  Listen to the interview to find out why! T-Shirts! It's fun, creative, fulfilling and easy to operate. And everyone is a potential customer. People might say, "A T-Shirt Business?" But, we are a light manufacturing retail business based on new technology that can create custom designed t-shirts for anyone and everyone. Here at Big Frog we have discovered that becoming part of your community, having fun every day, and making customers happy creates a fulfilling & rewarding business opportunity.?  Several years ago we received a batch of Franchise Interviews t-shirts with our logo from Big Frog and they were great!

We have a great show today.  Today is Day 2 of our 12 days of franchising where Each day, from December 12 to December 24 we will ask Santa for a particular franchise.  On the second day of Christmas we ask Santa for the Cousins franchise opportunity.  Listen to the interview to find out why! Many years ago I got to try their subs and they were amazing.  Cousins story began in 1972 when two cousins, Bill Specht and Jim Sheppard, brought their favorite style of sub sandwich from the East Coast to their new hometown of Milwaukee. Setting out to craft the finest sandwiches possible with the belief that "there is no substitute for quality," they used bread baked daily, ingredients sliced deli-fresh and grilled subs made to order—a focus on quality we take pride in today. Throughout our 44 years, Cousins has been driven by the notion to Believe in Better through the continual improvement in everything we do. That's why we work to exceed expectations through focused and deliberate actions. Cousins keep a steady pulse on industry and consumer trends with the end goal of providing our brand partners the best investment opportunity in the industry.

Each day, from December 12 to December 24 we will ask Santa for a particular franchise.  Find out who made the list and listen to an interview with each franchise opportunity.  On the first day of Christmas we ask for the Amramp franchise opportunity.  Listen to the interview to find out why! Founded in 1998 by Julian Gordon, Amramp has continued to grow as the leading provider of modular wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, vertical platform lifts and other accessibility solutions. About the Amramp Team The Amramp Team manufactures their modular wheelchair ramps in historic Boston, Massachusetts. Amramp started more than 40 years ago as a producer of architectural metal items used by contractors and architects. Amramp produced stairs, rails, fire doors and security products for doors and windows. In 1998 Amramp patented a unique modular wheelchair ramp system that has become their signature product. Amramp has expanded their product line to include other products that make life accessible, such as stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, grab bars and railings, overhead patient lifts and more. Today, Amramp has 45 locations and growing across the United States and Canada. Each of our locations has local inventory so Amramp can accommodate your accessibility needs quickly.

We are meeting with Larry Sutton of RNR Tire Express and Custom Wheels.  Established in 1999, RNR (RENT-N-ROLL) has been a leading provider of custom wheels and tires with easy payment options. RNR has grown to over 60 locations with several stores scheduled to open across the US over the upcoming months. In addition to the largest selection of brand name wheels and tires, RNR offers the best customer service and professional installation. At RNR it has never been easier to get the wheels and/or tires you need. With thousands of wheels and tires to choose from, our experienced staff will help you select the right product for your ride. RNR's Services - Custom Wheel Sales & Service - Top Name Brand Tires - Professional Tire Installation - Advanced Rotate & Balance - Free Flat Repair - No Credit Hassles - Roadside Assistance Program - Guaranteed Lowest Prices. In part 2, we are playing a clip for our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

Today, Franchise Interviews is celebrating our tenth-year anniversary and 500th show!  Franchise Interviews started off as a newsletter in 2005.  The following year (11/2006), Franchise Interviews turned into a weekly podcast on WorldTalkRadio.com and joined the BlogTalkRadio.com the following year.  Marty McDermott, the President of Franchise Interviews goes back to the very beginning with Elize Flenard.  Elizie Flenard is an entrepreneur, musician and host of the popular business show/podcast Enterprise Now.  Marty talks about the life changing events that ultimately led him to Franchise Interviews.  In part 2, Marty makes a surprise holiday announcement for listeners and in part 3 we finish with Marty’s interview on WVOX with the popular Dr. John Tantillo.  Our 500th show is dedicated to my dad, Martin J. McDermott, the kindest, smartest and best man I have ever known.  Lastly, I would like to thank Don Johnson, my friend and co-host who was there when this all began.

You will most likely find this concept fascinating.  We are meeting with Joe Beaudry and Scott Swerland of Urban Float. Urban Float: a Seattle-based floatation therapy spa, has recently launched its franchise opportunity with plans to expand outside of its Washington hub.  Urban Float is a hydro-therapy floating spa that features light and sound controlled pods containing 200 gallons of water with over 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt, creating a relaxing and reenergizing experience that renews the body, refreshes the mind, and revives the senses. Resting in this unique, controlled environment improves the overall functions of the brain and central nervous system, allowing floaters to enter a peaceful state of mind. In part 2, you will hear a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with John Ferdiandi, founder of the Blast & Brew franchise opportunity.  Blast & Brew offers guests a completely customizable experience from its quick-fired Neapolitan pizzas, split Focaccia (Fo ka chee a) sandwiches, the freshest salads and a wide variety of signature appetizers, to its self-pour craft beer offerings. Blast & Brew is a division of parent company Milano Restaurants International Corporation, a restaurant management company representing six brands, which is headquartered in Fresno, Calif. The brand began franchising in 2016 and is currently focusing on growth in the Southwest part of the U.S.  If anyone knows how to make a mark on the pizza industry, it’s John Ferdiandi. Ferdiandi and his family have been involved with pizza restaurants since 1955. Starting out as Me-N-Ed’s Pizza franchisees, John’s family eventually grew the business to include a portfolio of concepts, which is now Milano Restaurant International Corporation. John and his brother took over their family’s Fresno-based Milano in 1994. Under their leadership, the company has grown to a multi-concept operator with five distinct restaurant brands and over 70 system-wide locations, with combined sales of over $70 million. In part 2, we are playing a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

We are meeting with the Brent Anderson, CEO of Polestar Pilates.  Polestar® Pilates creates life-changing movement experiences by fusing Pilates, physical-therapy and mind-body energy systems, with facilities worldwide.  Polestar Pilates has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests. Polestar® creates life-changing movement experiences by fusing Pilates, physical-therapy and mind-body energy systems, with facilities worldwide.  Did you know? The Pilates industry alone is expected to grow 15-18% every year.The success rate of a franchise on its 5th year is 97%. For a standalone business, the success rate is only 25%.Polestar is an International authority with educators across 50 countries and education facilities in over 28 countries. Polestar has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests. In part 2, we will play a clip from our popular, Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

Inspired by his passion for restoring classic cars, Robert Lowery started Colors On Parade to offer body shop-quality automotive repairs from a mobile unit. In 1999, he began franchising the concept. Colors On Parade franchisees offer mobile on-site automotive appearance services throughout the U.S. to car dealerships, fleet owners, rental car agencies, body shops, individual vehicle owners and retail customers.  We are meeting with the President and CEO of Colors on Parade, Jeff Cox. In part 2, you will hear a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast with Lawrence Doc Cohen.

Many years ago, we created short clips of our weekly radio show Franchise Interviews. We called the segment/podcast “Great Quotes in Franchising”.  We had no idea the podcast would become just as popular as our weekly radio show. Today you are going to hear our most recent clip from Larry Sidoti, Chief Development Officer of Paris Baguette. Larry says before you buy a franchise, you really go to love me. Find out why by listening to the podcast.  In parts 2 and 3, you will get advice from two legends in the world of franchising….Melanie Bergeron and George Naddaff.