Today’s guest has carved out a unique lane in the food industry offering all the benefits of a typical cold juice bar but with the added micro-cafe toast concept. This puts the brand in a whole different category that reaches a much broader audience and certainly gives them a unique edge in the market. We’re talking about Toastique, with founder and CEO Brianna Keefe. She created the first Toastique storefront just five years ago at the age of 24 with nothing to lose. And the success was immediate. Now with franchising available, the brand is expanding quickly and Brianna’s attention to detail has these new locations ready to give customers an amazing experience.  The brand is healthy, fast casual food which is a rare combination in today’s restaurant industry and it was created around no extreme cooking equipment. This makes overhead, build out, and insurance less costly. Listen to this interview with Brianna Keefe to learn how she has launched a successful and thriving business and developed an unforgettable brand and business model.   Key Takeaways: [2:36] - Brianna shares her background and why she decided to head into the franchise world. [3:54] - The inspiration for Toastique was her love for healthy food and lifestyle as well as the push to do something on her own. [5:31] - There are a lot of decisions to make when opening up your first storefront. [7:12] - Brianna is her target market which makes things a bit easier because she thinks like her ideal customer. [8:14] - The first location of Toastique was extremely profitable and ideal for the business. [9:50] - Brianna describes the beginning experiences in developing a menu. [11:14] - Although following a system, you have to take into account what is happening in each location. Allow for creativity and flexibility. [12:50] - The details are important to Brianna and seeking franchisees that are like minded is what they are looking for. [14:28] - Corporate locations are great for testing new products and techniques. [15:55] - Ideally, franchisees for Toastique are multi-unit operators. [17:03] - Brianna shares the impressive numbers of franchises signed to open this year. [18:40] - As a brand, Toastique is very transparent, but at the end of the day, franchisees are running their own business. Brianna describes the ideal person. [20:46] - There are always challenges in franchising. What have been the challenges for Toastique? [22:40] - For 2022, Brianna was elected as a Forbes 30 Under 30!   Mentioned in This Episode: Toastique Website Toastique Franchising

Today’s guest is Michael Slupecki, CEO of Griswold Home Care. He joined Griswold in 2020 as the CEO and is responsible for leading the development, operations, and execution of their short and long-term strategies. His career in home care began in 2004 when he joined a domestic franchise home healthcare, home Hospice, and healthcare staffing company as their controller. Over his tenure, he found himself in the role of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, transforming the organization into a multinational franchisor of in-home medical and non-medical care, managing three brands across seven countries with a combined network of over 500 franchise locations. With 170 locations in 30 states, Griswold Home Care is one of the country’s top home care companies, delivering compassionate care 24/7 to its clients. Its purpose is to give people the help they need to live in the place they love. Through this purpose, Griswold Home Care helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age or onset of illness through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions for over 40 years.    Key Takeaways: [3:12] - Michael shares his background in home healthcare franchising. [4:52] - Griswold Home Care has been around for a long time, but Michael came on as CEO in 2020. He describes the experience and the story of the founders. [6:42] - The bulk of a franchisee’s growth is right at the beginning and it starts to level out. When Michael came on, he wanted to restart that growth. [8:09] - Griswold Home Care focuses on non-medical care. [9:42] - As the world evolves, insurance companies are recognizing the non-medical space. [10:44] - Every state has its own statutes on medical and non-medical home care. [12:15] - Companionship is only a part of the care provided. [14:24] - The Covid-19 pandemic had a major impact on Griswold Home Care, but things are improving now. [16:02] - What are the three main things that Michael looks for in prospective franchisees? [18:23] - Griswold Home Care is most successful as a single unit franchise model. [20:22] - How does Griswold Home Care manage marketing and branding? [21:48] - Michael shares the goals Griswold has going forward out of Covid-19. [23:53] - Choosing the wrong franchisee can be very painful. Be selective.   Mentioned in This Episode: Griswold Home Care Website Franchising Site

With proven success developing 26 franchise brands across multiple industries, Joe Malmuth brings over 15 years of experience, progressive thinking, motivation, and enthusiasm to the world of franchising. Known for his unique ability to seamlessly blend the art and science behind a revenue building franchise development program, Malmuth has been instrumental in the accelerated success of many world-class and innovative brands.  Joe’s expertise in starting new franchises and developing growth in established brands is unmatched. In our conversation today, Joe explains the benefits of a tight niche with a wide net, unique advantages to franchising, and the key to creating successful systems within a business.   Key Takeaways: [2:22] - Joe shares his background and how he started in franchising. [3:52] - Over his career, he has worked with franchises that are just starting and some are established brands. [5:01] - Batteries Plus has been around since 1986 and started out as a local battery shop. [7:00] - All Batteries Plus locations are in retail spaces and is a niche with an unusual model and wide net. [8:48] - There are things about this niche that give Batteries Plus a unique advantage. [10:22] - The tight niche makes for a stable business. [12:18] - Single unit franchisees are great and continue to be brought on with Batteries Plus. But the model is really successful for multi-unit franchisees. [14:58] - Joe describes some of the services and programs for helping franchisees to scale their business and operate at a high level. [17:19] - The retail part of the business is reliable, but the commercial side of things is where the growth is. [18:46] - There’s no real ideal market. There are Batteries Plus locations in all types of cities. [20:47] - Joe shares recent growth in Batteries Plus franchises and goals for the future. [22:16] - What type of franchisee is a good fit for Batteries Plus? [24:43] - Franchising is growing and isn’t going anywhere. It’s a successful business model. [25:56] - The key to success in franchising is grit.   Mentioned in This Episode: Batteries Plus Website Batteries Plus Franchising Site

Let’s talk about the finances of a startup. It can be daunting and a stressful consideration for entrepreneurs. Initially, there is so much spending and the revenue just isn’t there for the first several months to offset it yet. If you’ve been a business owner before, you know that the first few months can be a whirlwind of planning and bringing in funds. And for most of us, we begin with a loan. Grant Ferguson is the CEO of Unsecured Funding Source, and he’s here today to talk about this process and what makes his organization unique. Grant is a growth expert, change agent, and innovative leader. As the CEO of UFS, Grant works with business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate the increasingly complex world of lending and finds the best solutions to meet their capital needs.   Key Takeaways: [2:23] - Grant shares his background in finance and as an entrepreneur. [3:57] - He had the idea of acquiring a business rather than starting from scratch. [5:13] - Unsecured Funding Source provides unsecured loans for businesses, start-up businesses, or personal funding needs. [6:47] - Grant purchased Unsecured Funding Source and started to modernize the business model. [8:18] - The startup and acquisition space has struggles because it’s uncertain. [9:35] - Unsecured funding has a little higher interest rates and Grant explains why. [12:27] - Grant shares the things they look at in an application and how they make the decision to work with a startup. [14:44] - Unsecured Funding Source work with term loans. [16:13] - Monthly payments go towards interest and the principal. [17:45] - One of the biggest concerns for entrepreneurs is cash flow. [18:48] - The number one thing that kills franchisees is running out of capital or access to capital. [19:58] - Initially there is so much spending and the revenue isn’t there to offset it yet. [21:51] - Loans through Unsecured Funding Source are tied to the business. Like a personal loan for commercial use. [24:09] - Grant describes some of the ways they work with entrepreneurs. [26:38] - Where is the biggest gap in financing? [27:42] - Grant shares the goals Unsecured Funding Source for 2023. [29:50] - Chances for success rely on a lot of pieces. [30:58] - Is the price of money high? It is, but it’s going to get higher. You should be looking at the cost of doing nothing. [32:29] - Get a plan in place before quitting the day job. [33:55] - Banks are very keen to lend right now. [35:41] - How long is the process to secure funding?   Mentioned in This Episode: Unsecured Funding Source Website

It is a rare occurrence to have a leader in the franchise space that operates two distinct brands! But today, David Bloom joins me as the Chief Development and Operating Officer of two different franchises: Capriotti’s and Wing Zone. In this episode, David describes the differences and similarities of both franchises, both within the casual dining space. His early career with iconic brands both in the hotel and restaurant industries prepared him for his current role and he was able to learn how to strategically accelerate brand expansion. Now in leadership with two brands, he has been successful in scaling both to new heights with 190 current Capriotti’s locations and 300 more in development. Key Takeaways: [2:24] - It’s not the norm to have someone lead two different brands simultaneously. [3:09] - David shares his background and how he found himself working in casual dining and hotels. [4:26] - Although having worked in different industries, David’s main love is restaurants. [6:46] - There are several brands that have been incredibly successful and they have something in common. [8:05] - Capriotti’s is all about the food. They have won several awards for the quality of food they offer. [9:29] - There are about 190 Capriotti’s locations and 300 in development. [11:32] - David shares what is focused on when it comes to staying on the same page as franchise partners. [13:31] - There are several decisions that are important to make early on, especially when it comes to investing in technology. [15:24] - Wing Zone is a little different from Capriotti’s. There are some things that were kept when acquired, but others that were improved upon. [17:45] - When Wing Zone was acquired, it was set up as a single operator model. [19:31] - Who is the ideal franchisee for Wing Zone or Capriotti’s? [22:01] - The gross income has to make sense for a multi-unit operator. [23:48] - The company is very value driven. [25:29] - Co-branding hasn’t been a focus as the ideal real estate for a Wing Zone is different from Capriotti’s. [27:30] - Growth is fueled by finding the right franchise owners. [29:12] - What is the future of third party delivery companies? [31:15] - David recommends a book to read before making big decisions. [33:19] - We need to be prepared for the average customer’s expectation to have things immediately. [36:28] - Get involved and make connections. Get to know the people who are really doing it.   Mentioned in This Episode: Capriotti’s Website Wing Zone Website

Eric Casaburi started Retro Fitness in the heart of the 2008 recession. Experiencing unexpected and unprecedented growth during what was otherwise described as “dark” economic times, he eventually grew Retro Fitness to 150+ locations nationwide. Today, Casaburi is in the public spotlight once more as the Founder and CEO of the country's first anti-aging franchise brand, Serotonin Centers, also launched during the roughest of economic times – the heart of the 2020 pandemic. Serotonin Anti-Aging Centers is a first-of-its-kind treatment facility that is expanding nationally in an effort to impact the livelihoods of as many people and communities as possible; ideally helping countless members of the public to enjoy the aging process and lead their fullest lives.   Key Takeaways: [2:47] - There are some things that you simply can’t control, but Eric took the opportunity during challenging times to make the best decisions he could. [4:32] - Eric shares his background and why he was inspired to launch Retro Fitness in 2008. [6:06] - Retro Fitness was named because the marketing revolved around “when fitness was affordable”. [7:55] - Serotonin Centers was launched in 2020 and Eric describes his reason behind its launch. [10:37] - Serotonin Centers was actually a solution to a problem that Eric noticed in his clientele at Retro Fitness. [12:38] - Eric had begun the process of designing Serotonin Centers just prior to Covid and took the opportunity of time to work and launch it during an unusual time. [14:16] - If it’s working for you, it’s working. Everyone is different. [15:13] - At Serotonin Centers, they take a scientific approach. [18:13] - The thing that took the most time and the most work is due to the crossover of a retail franchise business and a healthcare service. [20:57] - Eric describes what to expect when you walk into a Serotonin Center. [23:52] - With the fitness center franchise, the income model was subscription based. Eric explains the model that Serotonin Centers uses. [27:32] - Who is the best candidate for a franchisee of Serotonin Centers? [29:28] - Eric shares some of the types of conversations and things they screen potential franchisees for to see if they are the right fit. [31:02] - The design of Serotonin Centers is very luxurious and high end, but intimate. [32:47] - Build the business for yourself first. [35:01] - There is more than one way to grow your business.   Mentioned in This Episode: Serotonin Centers Website Serotonin Centers on Facebook Serotonin Centers on Instagram

Before the trampoline park boom in the family entertainment industry, Launch Entertainment was a really new concept. Rob Arnold, CEO of Launch Entertainment joins me today to talk about the opportunities in the family entertainment industry and how they’ve been able to stay ahead of the trend by building a robust experience for the entire family. The family entertainment industry is expected to reach a whopping $69 billion this year and Rob knows first hand what it is like to tap into that potential. Listen to this episode of Franchise Euphoria to learn about the company, their goals, and how their mom-and-pop trampoline park idea has evolved into more than 30 franchise locations complete with a full restaurant and multiple attractions.   Key Takeaways: [3:42] - Rob and his wife have always been entrepreneurs and he shares how the idea for Launch Entertainment was developed. [6:43] - At the time in 2011, there were only about 150 parks like this in the country. [8:31] - Their personal experience in 2011 took place in a location that was off the beaten path and they imagined what it would be like in a busier area. [10:52] - Rob knew what he wanted but couldn’t find an existing model. [12:40] - He knew the potential and took the step to learn about franchising before he even opened the first location. [14:17] - Rob describes the experience of the grand opening of the first location and how impactful it was on the business. [15:58] - The first location was a retail location having taken over part of an old Sports Authority. [17:50] - In the beginning, the food was not good quality and they improved overall to a full restaurant included inside. [20:26] - Opening a second location is exciting but spotlights areas of improvement. [23:05] - With the opening of the second location, they kept the first space the same and improved the second one with more games and party rooms. [24:41] - What happens when a new location doesn’t have a successful launch? [26:10] - Knowing they wanted to franchise, they started the franchise process early on with the first franchisee opening up a location within a year of the first location. [27:43] - They started with franchised locations with friends and families. This allowed them to test processes and systems with honest feedback. [29:26] - The popularity of trampoline parks blew up across the United States and Launch Entertainment branched out into different attractions. [31:08] - With more attractions catering to the whole family, it created more opportunities to make more money. [34:33] - Rob lists the other attractions they added to make the experience more robust. [39:01] - There are a lot of perks to opening a franchise with Launch Entertainment. [42:17] - When you build something, build a strong brand with a robust operational marketing system to support the growth that lies ahead.   Mentioned in This Episode: Launch Trampoline Park Website Franchise with Launch Entertainment

For many franchises, the goal is to expand. Depending on the business model, ideal locations, and finding the right people, this can be done quickly or it could be a slower process. But the most important thing is that there is a plan for business expansion and tactics in place to see the right results. Chuck Pistor, President and CEO of Miracle Method talks about just that in today’s episode of Franchise Euphoria. Miracle Method is the nation’s largest home improvement franchise and has been around since 1977. Starting out with a few locations in California, now Miracle Method has 165 locations with over 40% of sites breaking a million dollars in sales yearly. In today’s discussion, Chuck explains how Miracle Method works, what they do, who they serve, and how they are implementing growth tactics to reach their expansion goal in 2023.   Key Takeaways: [2:39] - Chuck shares his own background and how he wound up as CEO of Miracle Method. [5:04] - He began as a consumer but eventually bought Miracle Method in 1996. At that time, it was already a franchise with about 20 locations. [6:38] - After 40 years, the company still uses the same bonding agent and is a coveted formula. [8:22] - Over the years, the technology has expanded to allow the company to offer more than just bathtub renovation. [10:49] - When Chuck transitioned into this role without a background in franchising, he learned a lot and decided to connect the franchisees together for collaboration. [12:22] - Chuck took the opportunity to get to know the franchisees and learn from them. He also opened a franchise to experience what he didn’t know. [15:16] - What does Chuck look for in franchisees? [16:21] - The Covid-19 pandemic impacted this particular franchise and industry differently than others. [17:30] - What does Miracle Method do to repair and restore? [19:39] - 2023 is an expansion year for Miracle Method with the goal of adding 12 or more locations across the US. [20:50] - There are two different models: the man in the van model and the manager model. [23:54] - When it comes to expansion, Miracle Method’s strategy is to find the right people. [25:45] - Going to their website, you can see examples of Miracle Method’s work. [26:51] - Commercial work is also something Miracle Method does.   Mentioned in This Episode: Miracle Method Website Franchise Website

Today’s unique franchise concept comes from husband and wife duo Shiva and James Boecker. Shiva and James are the founders of Rockstar Martial Arts and they founded the brand when they realized there was a hole in the fitness market. They set out to create a luxury concept that fostered discipline and leadership skills in kids through martial arts and a connection with their families and community. What started out as a one location business became a franchise with 6, soon to be 7, locations in Texas and a possibility of expansion into Florida and Georgia. The conversation we have today goes beyond what it is like to walk into a Rockstar Martial Arts location. Shiva and James share the ups and downs of beginning this process and what it is like to be in business with their spouse.   Key Takeaways: [3:03] - Shiva and James are a husband and wife team. They share their background in martial arts and their desire to do more. [4:37] - When she experienced more high end boutique fitness centers in Florida, Shiva realized that was what was missing from martial arts training. [6:17] - In addition to martial arts training, leadership development is a top priority and a curriculum designed for kids. [7:42] - The ideal location for Rockstar Martial Arts is a high end shopping center that is super clean and appealing. [9:03] - Oftentimes after a child is signed up, the whole family gets involved. [10:25] - Initially, the plan for Rockstar was just the one location. [11:44] - The important piece of starting a franchise is to create a system and infrastructure that will run smoothly without you present. This is the hardest step. [13:47] - Shiva recommends networking and finding others who have done this before. She has found several mentors that have helped them through the process. [16:12] - James lists some of the things they had to consider through their growing pains, like real estate prices and team training. [18:01] - What is it like to run a business and franchise with your spouse? [19:41] - There were several changes made to their location as they decided to franchise. [20:28] - Who is the ideal franchisee for Rockstar Martial Arts? [22:26] - The franchisee is not the one that will be coaching. That won’t be their role and they will hire coaches and employees. [23:47] - Rockstar Martial Arts started franchising pre-Covid but then halted the process for a while. [25:18] - James describes the experience with broker networks to get Rockstar Martial Arts moving forward and expanding. [28:13] - The best piece of advice James and Shiva have for those who are interested in franchising their business is to find someone who has done it already as a mentor.   Mentioned in This Episode: Rockstar Martial Arts Website Rockstar Martial Arts Franchise Website

The way we work has forever been changed as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, people want the option to work remotely or are driven to create their own (often online) business. This has created an interesting opportunity for a new franchise called Success Space. Ted Laatz, President of Success Space, joins the Franchise Euphoria Podcast today to talk about the emerging coworking concept that is a subsidiary of EXP World Holdings. This unique concept allows people to use an office space without paying monthly rent or lease and has amenities that other shared office spaces do not offer, like a cafe and access to a full time Certified Success Coach. Ted also discusses and gives great advice for other brands looking to incorporate technology into their existing model.   Key Takeaways: [3:34] - Welcome to the show, Ted! Ted shares his background in franchising. [5:29] - Ted describes the usual coworking industry and how Success Space is different. The way we work has changed. [7:10] - Success Space is larger and has multiple streams of revenue. [9:03] - Franchisees will typically lease space and the sweet spot for the business is in shopping centers. [10:22] - There are different types of offices and Success Space uses a bill by the minute model. [12:10] - Rather than users renting a space by the month, they are only billed for the time they are actually in the office space. [13:31] - In addition to the coworking space and cafe, Success Space has a Certified Success Coach within each location. [15:14] - Ted explains how the idea started and how EXP companies use metaverse technology. [16:42] - Success Space is a new franchise opportunity, but they are a subsidiary of a well established company. [17:55] - Why did franchising make more sense for Success Space? [19:01] - There are no plans for Success Space to have a company owned location. [20:33] - Who is the ideal franchisee for Success Space? [23:27] - Covid changed the way we work and Ted believes that we are settling into a hybrid model of working in the office and out. [25:50] - Remote working is certainly being pushed by the up and coming generation. Coworking spaces and working from home are both types of remote working. [27:32] - Some people work from public cafes like Starbucks, but Success Space gives a variety of spaces to work, eat, break, and collaborate with a coach.   Mentioned in This Episode: Success Space Website Success Space Franchise