Franchise Interviews

We are meeting with Chris Rimlinger, VP of Marketing for the Money Mailer franchise.  For over 34 years, Money Mailer franchisees and their staffs have helped local business owners increase market share. Their targeted, hyper-local approach allows business to reach prospects with offers in the mail, online, on mobile devices and through social media. Coupon usage continues to soar with 86% of households now using coupons and more strong growth ahead. Learn more about this exciting opportunity by listening to the show.

Franchise Interviews meets with the K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel franchise.   Jason and Steven Parker, co-founders of Fanwood-based K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel, first got in the dog business when as boys they wanted a dog, but their parents said they weren’t responsible enough. Fueled by that, they began walking neighbors’ dogs for money and it grew and grew until they were making some pretty impressive money. They decided to take this love of dogs and their honed business sense to open up K-9 Resorts and entered the franchising game as the youngest franchisors in the entire franchise industry. They’re entering a big 2014, riding the wave of success and buzz from last year, and will be opening up 5 new locations. 9 is the magic number for K-9 this year as they enter their 9th year in business with a goal of ending the year with 9 locations.  ABOUT K9 RESORTS DAYCARE & LUXURY HOTEL K-9 RESORTS DAYCARE & LUXURY HOTEL was founded in 2005 by brothers Steven and Jason Parker in Fanwood, N.J. When in their early teens, their parents denied them a dog of their own, so the entrepreneurial pair opened a professional pet-sitting business to prove they were not only willing, but ready to care for a dog. That business not only became a highly profitable enterprise that they sold for a six-figure sum in 2006, that revenue became the expansion fuel for their burgeoning K-9 Resorts business. The business, which is the only facility in New Jersey to have been rated Number 1 by multiple major publications, is now positioned for franchise growth throughout the Northeast U.S. K-9 Resorts was ranked Number 1 in its category by the Courier Times and by New Jersey Monthly. In part 2, we hear advice from franchisees on why they purchased a franchise.

Franchise Interviews meets with the Ichor Restaurant Group/Old Carolina Barbecue.  Brian Bailey will talk about his background, the inception of Ichor and the development of its brands. In the segment, Brian can talk about strategies behind brand development and will go over the growth plans for Ichor and its brands this year and into the future. ABOUT ICHOR RESTAURANT GROUP: Headquartered in North Canton Ohio, Ichor is a collaboration of individuals who share a passion for food, creativity and excellence. The restaurant group develops, operates and franchises unique restaurant concepts throughout the Midwest. The group focuses on developing efficient and profitable business models and delivering an extraordinary dining experience to its guests. For more information visit ichorgroup.com. ABOUT OLD CAROLINA BARBECUE: In 2006, long-time friends, Brian Bailey and Tim Hug (founders of Ichor Restaurant Group), opened their first Old Carolina Barbecue Company restaurant 60 miles south of Cleveland, in Massillon Ohio.  Now with five corporate locations in Northeast Ohio, and two franchise locations, the group plans to double in size in 2013. Inspired by the roadside shacks found in the Carolinas, Brian and Tim had a vision to bring original barbecue, authentic taste and Southern hospitality to Northern markets lacking such establishments.  Old Carolina Barbecue offers hickory-smoked signature meats and scratch-made sides. The Sauce Bar features four original barbecue sauces that represent the authentic flavor profiles of the Carolinas, plus a flavorful Screaming' Beaver Hot Sauce with its own rabid fan base. They also provide table service for its guests, a rarity in the fast casual genre.  Listen to the show to learn more. In part 2, the legendary Michael Gerber gives his advice on buying a franchise.

Franchise Interviews meets with the Gravity Vault franchise.  Lucas and Tim will go over their backgrounds and the inception story behind starting Gravity Vault, as well as go over the industry and growth of the concept. Rock climbing duo turned business partners, Lucas and Time were named New Jersey State Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration this year. They currently have 2 locations in New Jersey and are just about to open their 3rd. Lucas and Tim have also trained mechanics and engineers in rappelling to then perform maintenance on a 300 foot-long, $500-million dollar Army spy blimp. After working "real jobs" through their 20s, the friend decided to pursue their passion for rock climbing as a business venture in their 30s. ABOUT GRAVITY VAULT Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh - avid climbers and entrepreneurial minded - decided to open their first indoor rock gym, called The Gravity Vault, in 2004. Natives of Bergen County, NJ, they knew there was a need for a state-of-the-art climbing gym in the county and wanted to share their passion for the sport. Opening the first Gravity Vault was only the first step in creating a franchise. They knew how fast the sport was growing and wanted to have a solid foundation with at least two operating gyms before they franchised. Their gyms have been featured in Fitness Magazine, the New York Times, The Bergen Record, 201 Magazine, Rockland Today Magazine and Urban Climber Magazine to name just a few publications. Gravity Vault also has been featured on Fox News and two local cable news programs. In addition to many rock-climbing awards, Kovalcik and Walsh were named co-2013 New Jersey State Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Listen to the show to learn more. In Part 2, we get tips from franchise legend John Hewitt and one of Liberty Taxes' top franchisees.

This show will focus on how Junkluggers, a junk-removal franchise, was started by CEO Josh Cohen right after college with the use of his mother's SUV. The brand achieved its goal of adding franchisees to the system in 2013 and enjoyed nearly 25 percent system-wide growth last year. Cohen and the rest of Junkluggers team plan to double in size entering the second year in franchising, aiming to end 2014 with additional units along the East Coast. • Cohen, who is in his early thirties, could provide tips, insight, best practices, and what mistakes to avoid for other young business owners looking to take their business to the next level in 2014. • Junkluggers got started in 2004, after Cohen returned to the U.S from studying abroad, he immediately hit the streets handing out homemade flyers all around town to promote his new business idea. After the phone began to ring, Cohen quickly realized there was a demand for a reliable, professional and eco-focused removal service. ABOUT JUNKLUGGERS In 2004 after founder Josh Cohen returned to the U.S from studying abroad, he immediately hit the streets handing out homemade flyers all around town to promote his new business idea. After the phone began to ring, Cohen quickly realized there was a demand for a reliable, professional and eco-focused removal service. Armed with only his mom's SUV and a love for the environment, Cohen launched Junkluggers and has revolutionized the hauling and removal industry by focusing on environmentally-friendly and community-oriented furniture and junk removal practices. In Part 2, we get tips from the author of one of the most popular books on franchising.

This is our first prime time show on BlogTalkRadio in 7 years.  Tonight's show is broken into 3 segments and features the Unishippers franchise opportunity.  In part 1, we are meeting Kevin Lathrop, president of Unishippers and Brian Lendin, franchisee of Unishippers.  For more than 20 years loyal customers have depended on Unishippers for reliable savings and exceptional customer service. Unishippers is focused on just one thing: helping small and medium-sized businesses save time and money on all their shipping needs. And as the largest reseller of complete shipping services in the country, they have the buying power to ensure that they succeed. In part 2, we are discussing incorporating a wellness program into franchising.  We are meeting with Wanda Sieber, Unishippers of Green Bay. Wanda will tell us about Unishippers in Green Bay's most recent wellness program and what inspired her to launch this program for her Unishippers staff. In part 3 we are meeting with Rick Werner of Unishippers.  We are talking about dadpreneurs and franchising.   Recent studies have shown that in the past 10 years, the number of work-from-home dads has more than doubled. The number of stay/work-at-home dads has risen from 81,000 in 2001 (1.6 percent of the total) to a startling 176,000 in the past year (3.4 percent of the total), according the U.S. Census.  Rick has been in business since January and works from home, building his business while serving as the primary caretaker for his 18 month-old daughter. He and his wife live in Auburn, AL.

Franchise Interviews meets with the Toast franchise opportunity.  In their time as actors and musicians in New York City, Robert and his friend Brian Burchill made a ritual of home-cooked omelets made from scratch in the company of good friends. Their passion for fresh-made food and an appreciation for the warmth of home inspired the duo in 2005 to open Toast Café (Toast) - a gourmet better-breakfast concept. Toast has since expanded to three locations in North Carolina, including restaurants in Davidson, Dilworth and Ballantyne. With their focus on creating a better breakfast dining experience, the now-former entertainers have a hit on their hands and well on their way. In response to growing customer support and demand for more, Burchill and Maynard have decided to add franchising to the menu and look to dominate the 7am-2pm brunch daypart and expand throughout the country. ABOUT TOAST: Toast Café's story began in 2005 in Huntersville, N.C. in a small house-turned-restaurant where best friends Brian Burchill and Robert Maynard opened their first breakfast spot. News of their fresh-made breakfasts and fun atmosphere spread. The concept quickly grew to three locations, serving new and loyal clients dishes such as made-from-scratch portabella mushroom benedict and avocado omelets. Never compromising fresh ingredients or friendly service, the demand for Toast kept growing. To satisfy its family of patrons' pleas for more locations, Toast evolved into a franchise system in 2013. Dining customers always can expect impeccable service because at Toast, "every server is your server." Breaking through the boring casual breakfast segment, Toast will continue spreading its success to new communities across the United States. Listen to the interview to learn more about Toast.

Franchise Interviews welcomes back The UPS Store. The UPS Store has received the following accolades: #1 postal and business services franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 for 20 years and counting*More than 30 years of franchising experienceNationally advertised brandMore than 4300 locations nationwide We are meeting with Chris Adkins, VP of Franchise Development for The UPS Store. Franchise Interviews welcomes back The UPS Store.  #1 postal and business services franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 for 20 years and counting*More than 30 years of franchising experienceNationally advertised brandMore than 4300 locations nationwide We are meeting with Chris Adkins, VP of Franchise Development for The UPS Store.

Today's show is broken into three parts.  First, we are meeting Jo Kirchner, President & CEO of Primrose Schools  Founded by Paul and Marcy Erwin in Marietta, Georgia in 1982, Primrose Schools revolutionized the concept of child care, making education the key component of its curriculum in an era when "all-play and nothing-but-play" was the accepted norm. Primrose is a trusted, private preschool organization that provides premier educational child care experiences for children and families. The schools serve children ranging in age from six weeks to six years old, and have after-school programs for children up to twelve years old. In part 2, we are meeting with Tom Epstein of Franchise Payments Network….Franchise Payments Network is the only payment processing company solely dedicated to the franchise industry.  In part 3 you will hear  a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

We are meeting Morgan Arundel, President of Pirtek USA.  Pirtek is the fluid power system leader in sales and service, the only brand of its kind in franchising in the United States. Pirtek boasts nearly 400 units in 22 countries around the world, and has more than 30 years of experience in the hydraulic and pneumatic hose-replacement space. Powered by an industry-leading approach to sales and service and backed by a corporate center passionate about its franchisees and customers, Pirtek offers unmatched service and logistics. In segment 2, we will hear a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.