Franchise Interviews

Today’s Great Quote in Franchising comes from 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. Charlie describes his secret to franchising, business, and life.

We are meeting with Franchise Coach Scott Milas. After 35+ years of experience, Scott has contributed significantly to various senior leadership positions. Scott is a team player and recently utilized his expertise in development to help build a well-known national fast-casual concept. His tenure in franchising has landed him on leadership panels at several franchise conferences. Scott has also earned his certification as a CFE, Certified Franchise Executive. Every Entrepreneur Has A Story – Scott has been an entrepreneur since his teen years when he started small businesses mowing lawns, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. In his early twenties, he began a career with a major news organization as a cameraman for the White House Press Corp. Several years later, Scott could not ignore the calling of his entrepreneurial spirit and left the news industry to pursue a business career. Scott’s significant strengths include his listening skills, where he can tune in to his clients’ needs and balance that with their interests in a franchise business. He is exceptional at building relationships and earns the trust of his clients he needs to help them succeed. Scott believes, “It’s all about my client’s best interests, not mine.” Scotty is also the host of a great podcast called "All Things Considered Franchising".  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast with franchise attorney Nancy Lanard.

Another Type of Cash Today's Great Quote in Franchising comes from franchise veteran Joe Mathews. Joe is the author of the popular "Street Smart Franchising." Joe suggests it's often been said that cash is king. However, money alone doesn't move mountains; people do…people with another kind of KASH: Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Habits. Franchisees must generate KASH before they generate cash. KASH always comes first.

HTeaO offers 26 handcrafted flavors of ultra-premium caffeinated and decaffeinated tea varieties, in both sweet and unsweet options, at each location and its own proprietary water filtration system for the same consistent flavor no matter the location. The menu also features hot and cold tea and coffee drinks, such as the Texas Chai Tea Latte, Iced Horchata coffee, and other coffee favorites. We are meeting with Justin Howe, CEO of HTeaO.  Having officially launched the brand in 2018, HTeaO has seen a two-year revenue growth of 240% and just announced the inclusion of its first-ever ITEM 19 in its 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), showcasing an AUV of $1,352,540.98 (per 2023 FDD). HTeaO's recent success and growth highlights include: HTeaO has continued its substantial expansion in 2023 and will have 95 locations open by year-end. The brand has an impressively strong growth pipeline with over 100 sites under construction and hundreds of additional candidates applying to join the ever-growing HTeaO family. The brand also projects to award many franchise agreements in 2024. Recently ranked in the top 60 of the fastest-growing brands in the Southwest by Inc. and ranked No. 9 in Entrepreneur's 2023 Top New & Emerging Franchises Ranking.

One of the shows I strongly recommend listening to if you are an aspiring entrepreneur is Stop Riding the Pine (http://www.StopRidingThePine.com). The show is hosted by the popular Jaime Jay. Jaime is an amazing interviewer and speaks with entrepreneur.

Famous Toastery is a breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchise that encourages its guests, team, and franchise owners to “Be Famous” in their local community by offering “Famously Fresh” meals and a much-needed hub for friends, families, and neighbors to get together in a comfortable atmosphere where “every server is your server.” The brand began in 2005 before evolving into a franchise system in 2013 and growing to over 25 locations today. In 2020 and 2019, Famous Toastery was placed on Restaurant Business’ The Future 50, featuring the fastest-growing small chains. Famous Toastery was ranked No. 9 in the Full-Service Restaurants category of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Food Franchises of 2019 and on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 Rankings in 2019 and 2022. In 2018, Famous Toastery received recognition by CNBC as a top franchise to buy, FSR Magazine as one of the Top 14 restaurant chains ready for lift-off, Inc. 5000’s list of the fastest growing companies, and Franchise Times’ Top 200+ franchise opportunities. We are meeting with Mike Sebazco, President of Famous Toastery. Every Business Has A Story Best friends since they were eight years old, Brian Burchill and Robert Maynard share a passion for good times, good food, and the performing arts. It turns out that’s a pretty good combination for the restaurant business. In 2005, they opened their first Toastery in Huntersville, NC, with three more to follow. By 2013, they had turned their big idea into a thriving franchise system. Today, nearly 40 Famous Toasteries have popped up along the East Coast, with more on the way. In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

Not long ago, we had a Great Quote in Franchising Podcast called "Date A Little". The podcast suggested the importance of getting to know you mate. Another element that is equally important is getting to know the parents and family members.

We are meeting with Sean Oatney, Vice President of Franchise Development Tommy's Express Car Wash Franchise. Built on a legacy of cutting-edge design and operations, Tommy's Express Car Wash leads the way in Equipment, Facilities, and Operations. Their products will support you every step of the way, from the smallest fitting to a comprehensive franchise solution. Tommy's Express Car Wash Franchise is listed in Franchise Times as one of the Smartest Growing Franchises in the US. Best in their category and now the fastest growing.   Every Business Has A Story Alex Lemmen, CEO of Tommy's Express, holds up a grainy photo to prove he started early in the business founded by the Essenburg family of Holland, Michigan. "IT'S A BOY," says the sign outside the Quality Car Wash managed by his father in 1990, when gas was $1.31 a gallon. "That's me!" Lemmen said. But Tommy's goes back much further, to 1969, when brothers Jun and Sonny Essenburg opened their first Quality Car Wash. "They were partners in life, did everything together," says Ryan Essenburg, Jun's grandson, president of Tommy's Express, and the person who pushed hardest to franchise, starting in 2016. "They always told stories of the Great Depression. It helped sculpt today. He taught us to be conservative, be careful, and be cautious." The Tommy’s Express record is over 230 cars per hour!!! Wow!

Today's Great Quote in Franchising comes from Nick Friedman, of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving franchise opportunity. College Hunks Hauling Junk is the fastest-growing junk hauling and moving franchise in America. Nick discusses the 5 Fs of franchising.

One of the shows I strongly recommend listening to if you are an aspiring entrepreneur is Stop Riding the Pine (http://www.StopRidingThePine.com). The show is hosted by the popular Jaime Jay. Jaime is an amazing interviewer and speaks with entrepreneur.