The Art of Franchise Marketing

In this episode of The Art of Franchise Marketing, a dynamic dialogue between Madeleine Zook and Craig Sherwood, the spotlight shines on the fitness landscape redefined by Lumin Fitness. Lumin Fitness is The World’s Smartest Fitness Studio. Founded in 2019 and developed by fitness, franchising, and gaming industry veterans, the brand’s proprietary fitness ecosystem utilizes the latest advances in artificial intelligence, digital display, motion tracking, and object detection to create the most intelligent, interactive, and individualized boutique fitness experience in the world.This groundbreaking approach disrupts traditional workout paradigms, immersing enthusiasts in an experience fueled by state-of-the-art AI technology. The proprietary technology reshapes the global fitness industry, providing a glimpse into a future of health and wellness that's interactive and intelligently tailored to each individual's unique needs and preferences. Lumin Fitness stands as a beacon guiding the evolution of fitness, embodying a holistic and dynamic approach that sets new benchmarks in the quest for personal well-being.

Join us on The Art of Franchise Marketing as we sit down with Betsy Hamm, the CEO of Duck Donuts, to unravel the fascinating journey of Duck Donuts' growth from a hidden gem in the Outer Banks to a nationally recognized brand. Duck Donuts was founded in 2007 by Russ DiGilio in Duck, North Carolina. His intention? To solve a family vacation problem: “Our family wanted a place to buy warm, delicious, made-to-order donuts!, and when we couldn’t find one, we decided to start our own.” Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the company began franchising in 2013, and prides itself on sprinkling happiness to its guests through its unique in-store experience, exceptional guest service and a duckzillion donut combinations. As one of the fastest-growing donut franchise companies, Duck Donuts has more than 115 locally owned and operated shops across 24 states, Peurto Rico and three international locations in Burlington, Ontario; Cairo, Egypt; and Riyadh, KSA. In this episode you'll learn how Duck Donuts navigates the evolving QSR landscape, and the delicate balance of innovation while honoring tradition. Delve into the challenges of expanding the brand and adapting to diverse markets. Discover how Duck Donuts maintains a circle of success, empowering franchisees one warm, made-to-order donut at a time.

The discussion delves into the nuances of franchise development, highlighting its complexity beyond sales. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and strategic aspects involved, focusing on aligning the right entrepreneurs with the appropriate opportunities. Jonathan's insight reveals the significance of mentorship, diverse experiences across varied company structures, and how these contribute to grasping the dynamics of franchisees. This episode's emphasis on cohesion within the franchisee community underscores the criticality of selecting partners who align with the brand's values, culture, and long-term vision.The discussion shifts to Wingstop's approach to menu innovation. While they primarily emphasize flavor diversity over menu complexity, they ensure consistent offerings adaptable across their products, facilitating a more seamless addition of items like sandwiches without overwhelming operational intricacies. The conversation wraps up with a glance into Wingstop's future goals. Jonathan emphasizes the ongoing focus on maintaining momentum, and maximizing existing strategies while innovating within the brand's core identity to achieve these ambitious goals.

Dive into The Art of Franchise Marketing with Lisa Rossmann, Chief Brand Officer at Hand and Stone Massage. Hand & Stone is a 500-plus unit Massage and Facial Spa with a mission to bring affordable massage and facial services to the masses, tapping into the ‘day-cation' market segment. Lisa delves into her remarkable journey of seamlessly transitioning from a licensed esthetician to ascending the corporate ladder at Hand and Stone. Lisa sheds light on the importance of adhering to proven playbooks and fostering a collaborative approach as integral components of sustained success. The episode unfolds as a masterclass, offering invaluable insights into the delicate equilibrium Hand and Stone maintains—innovating with new services while steadfastly preserving a robust brand identity. Lisa passionately advocates for a clear strategy and rigorous testing in the consideration of additions to the franchise model, underlining their pivotal role in navigating the intricate landscape of franchise marketing

Dive into the fascinating world of franchise marketing with Madeleine Zook as she interviews Bennett Maxwell, the mastermind behind Dirty Dough, a cookie franchise that has taken America by storm. In this episode, Bennett shares how he acquired and transformed an existing cookie company into a rapidly growing franchise. With 34 locations open in just 14 months, Bennett discusses the challenges and strategies he's employed to manage this explosive growth while dealing with a high-profile legal battle with a competitor. Learn how Dirty Dough's unique centralized production model and innovative approach to the gourmet cookie market have positioned them for success, even in a competitive industry. Bennett's candid insights into franchising and marketing provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business professionals.

In this episode of The Art of Franchise Marketing, our host Madeline Zook delves into a fascinating conversation with Brett Payne, the founder of Contender Esports. This franchise company provides esports retail spaces for the gaming community. Brett's unique approach to franchising involves following the money but also emphasizes the value of building relationships and making friends worldwide. He highlights the importance of understanding the cultural nuances of each country and using digital marketing strategies to attract potential franchisees.As the podcast episode unfolds, Brett's insights into the esports industry and the opportunities it presents are eye-opening. The episode touches on the positive impact of esports on individuals, especially those who may not thrive in traditional sports, and the vibrant community that forms around these virtual competitions. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge about international franchising, the evolving esports landscape, and the importance of understanding today's generation's changing preferences and interests.

Discover a new perspective on franchise growth with Front Street Equity Partners. Front Street Equity Partners is the first and only pure play strategic advisory & private equity investment firm solely dedicated to exponentially growing enterprise value in a compressed time frame in the franchise industry. In this engaging podcast, we delve into the unconventional strategies employed by this equity firm to empower young and struggling franchise brands. Erik VanHorn, the founder of Front Street, sheds light on their hands-on approach, emphasizing the importance of creating strong relationships with founders and ensuring that brands are not just surviving but thriving. In this podcast episode, Erik discusses the critical factor that sets successful franchises apart: profitability. He addresses the misconception that some brands shy away from sharing their financials and reveals why making money should be at the forefront of every franchise's goals. Additionally, Erik shared plans for Front Street Partners' growth and revealed upcoming developments that will benefit franchisors in 2024.

Madeleine Zook engages in a compelling conversation with Sherry Rose, CEO of Stellar Service Brands. Discover the significance of fostering a culture of respect and understanding within the franchise community. Stellar Service Brands believes that small businesses are the core of the American dream, providing passionate people with opportunities for success. Join us on Sherry Rose's fascinating journey as she shares insights and principles that have propelled her to the forefront of the franchising industry. Gain a deeper understanding of how to create a thriving franchise model that honors the uniqueness of each brand while working towards a common mission, and learn about the pivotal role that home services play in supporting local communities.

Get ready for an engaging conversation with Drew McWilliams, the co-founder and president of Ivybrook Academy. Ivybrook Academy is voted the Nations #1 Half Day Preschool. Specializes in creating an academic environment for every child to reach their fullest potential. Drew shares the heartwarming story of how Ivybrook Academy was born out of his college sweetheart romance and a desire to fill a niche in the education sector. Learn how they've successfully scaled their business and made a mark in the franchising world. Discover how they carved their niche in the market, why they chose the half-day model, and how they've grown to 80 franchise agreements in just seven years.Learn about Drew McWilliams' inspiring journey where he combines his dedication to early childhood education with his knack for real estate investment. Explore the powerful impact these two worlds can have when merged successfully, paving the way for a brighter future for children and investors alike.

In this insightful and educational discussion, Madeleine Zook, the host of The Art of Franchise Marketing, sits down with Brandi Kloostra, the VP of Digital Marketing at Franworth. Franworth helps emerging franchisors achieve their business goals and grow their franchise system. Franworth accelerates brand value by building, incubating, and growing brands, using a franchise model, and leveraging our shared services platform. Brandi shares her extensive 25-year experience in the digital marketing realm, offering valuable advice to both franchisors and franchisees. Brandi discusses the evolving landscape of digital marketing, the significance of data-driven decisions, and the impact of choosing the right marketing channels to achieve desired outcomes. This conversation provides valuable insights and practical tips for anyone involved in the franchising industry, whether you're looking to franchise your business or are a franchisee seeking success in a competitive market.Learn more about the Center for Global Franchise Excellence:  https://business.louisville.edu/about/learning-at-cob/yumcgfe/