Franchise Secrets Podcast

In this discussion, Adam Ross, an operating partner and coach, shares insights on rapid decision-making and growth mindset in business. He emphasizes that the fastest-learning brands outperform those with the biggest budgets. Adam reframes 'failure' as validated learning and urges leaders to avoid fixed mindsets that stifle innovation. The conversation also touches on parenting techniques that foster resilience in kids, drawing parallels to leadership. With practical advice, Adam outlines how to create a culture of honesty and curiosity.

Discover how AI can enhance entrepreneurial thinking rather than replace it. Explore the benefits of treating AI as a high-paid advisor for franchise research. Learn to build custom GPTs to streamline tasks, analyze FDDs, and generate detailed industry reports. Erik shares insights on spotting lucrative private equity opportunities and refining prompts for better results. He also emphasizes using AI for content creation while maintaining personal voice and understanding the importance of validating AI outputs.

What does "semi-absentee" actually mean — and what does it cost to get there? Erik Van Horn shares the hard-earned lessons from owning multiple franchise brands, including the moment his manager got arrested right before tax season. Instead of panicking, his systems held — revealing the true power of leverage and layers. You'll learn: ✅ The difference between managing and truly leading ✅ How to build redundancies that protect your income ✅ The real ROI of buying back your time ✅ How to move from owner-operator → district manager → semi-absentee ✅ Why freedom in franchising isn't free — but it's worth it Timestamps: 00:00 The Call That Changed Everything 02:00 Why Most Franchise Owners Never Go Semi-Absentee 04:30 What Semi-Absentee Ownership Really Means 07:30 From One Location to Many 10:00 The Multi-Unit Manager Mindset 13:30 The Moment Systems Saved My Business 16:30 The Real Cost of Freedom ($150K Lesson) 20:00 Buying Back Time: The Practical Playbook 24:00 The District Manager Trap 28:00 Freedom Through Structure Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #Franchise #Freedom #Systems

Everyone wants an AI silver bullet—but franchise success still comes down to execution. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Brian Holmes (Franchise Ramp, AI Front Desk) break down how real operators are using AI to scale without losing culture, quality, or profit. Learn how AI saves 65,000+ hours, the truth behind "failed" AI pilots, and why most leaders still get it wrong. 👉 Subscribe for more franchise growth, systems, and scaling insights: FranchiseSecrets.com Timestamps: 00:00 – The myth of the silver bullet in business 01:19 – The first time Eric heard about ChatGPT 04:20 – How Brian's Liberty Tax days shaped his franchise mindset 05:46 – Building Franchise Ramp: from 0 to 1,200 locations 06:17 – Why culture drives every result at Franchise Ramp 10:33 – Why saying "no" creates world-class execution 11:51 – The AI hype vs. the real business impact 17:10 – How to spot fake AI vendors and bad pilots 26:49 – The real problem AI Front Desk solves for franchises 47:53 – The results: 1.1M tasks done and 65,000 hours saved Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #Franchise #AI #Systems

Everyone wants time freedom, but few understand what it costs. Franchisee Alex Read joins Erik Van Horn to share his journey from the early days of 1-800-GOT-JUNK to building with Modern PURAIR. After years of experience and a few expensive mistakes, Alex reveals why you can't just throw money at the problem — and why real success requires being two feet in. They unpack the difference between delegating and abdicating, the truth about semi-absentee ownership, and why emerging brands demand leaders, not investors. If you've ever dreamed of owning your time through franchising, this episode is a wake-up call. Topics Covered: -Why "semi-absentee" can become "fully absent" -The reality of emerging franchise brands -Building culture vs. hiring for convenience -The value of failure and how it shapes real entrepreneurs -What 1-800-GOT-JUNK taught Alex about leadership and growth Timestamps: 00:00 – You Can't Shortcut Time Freedom 02:55 – From the UK to Canada: Starting Over from Scratch 04:30 – Discovering 1-800-GOT-JUNK 07:28 – Hire for Spark, Not Just Skill 09:30 – The Power of Vision and Accountability 12:34 – Why I Bought a Second Brand 15:48 – The Brand I Said I'd Never Buy 21:50 – The Truth About Semi-Absentee Ownership 25:54 – You Can't Outsource Grit 29:03 – When the GM Leaves, So Does Your Freedom Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #FranchiseSecrets #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FranchisePodcast #TimeFreedom #Leadership #EmergingBrands #FranchiseOwner #AlexRead #ErikVanHorn #BusinessMindset

So many franchise buyers think "semi-absentee ownership" means passive income — but that couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode, Erik Van Horn (host of Franchise Secrets) breaks down what semi-absentee really looks like once the hype fades and reality hits. From bad hires to broken systems, Erik explains how he learned — the hard way — that you have to earn the right to step back. You'll learn: -Why passive franchise ownership is mostly a myth -The difference between semi-absentee and absentee models -How to avoid checking out too early and ending up "back in the weeds" -What systems, people, and culture you must build first -How to design your business for real freedom -If you've ever been sold the dream of mailbox money, this is your wake-up call. Timestamps: 00:00 – The painful lesson I learned from checking out too early 01:00 – The fantasy of semi-absentee ownership 03:40 – The "London scenario" that exposes your weak spots 06:54 – Ask this emotional question before buying any franchise 07:54 – Why "absentee franchise" is a red flag 09:20 – What true semi-absentee success actually looks like 14:17 – How lazy delegation destroys your business 18:51 – The real currency of freedom: systems 22:32 – Using AI and playbooks to scale smarter 37:44 – Don't chase lifestyle too early — earn it first Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #FranchiseSecrets #FranchiseOwnership #PassiveIncome

Bobby Brennan, a franchise operator and advisor, shares insights on the often-misunderstood franchisee lifecycle. He reveals why the notion of 'passive' franchise ownership is a myth, emphasizing cash-flow phases like investment, stabilization, optimization, and scale. Bobby discusses crucial mistakes to avoid, such as cutting marketing during challenging early stages. He also covers the importance of maintaining a long-term investor mindset to ensure sustainable growth and wealth.

Many entrepreneurs fail at investing for one simple reason: they say "yes" too much. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Justin Donald break down the investor mindset, tax plays that compound, and how world-class networks unlock better terms, sponsors, and returns—plus the Guardian Bikes grand-slam story (featuring Mark Cuban). Timestamps: 00:00 – Why great investors say "no" 95% of the time 01:57 – Solar credits & how fast legislation changes 03:56 – Masterminds that pay for themselves 04:24 – Compounding: tax, education, deals 07:37 – Money-back guarantees from sponsors?! 11:06 – The real ROI of networks (vendors, sponsors, peers) 12:40 – Deal terms you should ask for: the "put option" 24:53 – How to spot outlier deals that look "the same" 46:56 – Family-office asset allocation (60/40 is dead) 50:44 – Build a non-emotional investment machine Resources Mentioned Website: lifestyleinvestor.com – free resources, masterclasses, masterminds, and courses Podcast: https://lifestyleinvestor.com/podcast/ Book: The Lifestyle Investor (updated & expanded edition) https://access.lifestyleinvestor.com/lifestyleinvestor-book?utm_source=website&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=redirect Free strategy call: lifestyleinvestor.com/consultation Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #Compounding #Masterminds #Dealflow

From Googling "Can you sell a franchise after 4 months?" to owning and scaling a multi-brand franchise empire, Anna Dey's story is the ultimate masterclass in perseverance and smart growth. In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik sits down with Anna to uncover how she: -Survived brutal 2 a.m. shifts and near-burnout -Has owned and scaled brands including Anytime Fitness, Clean Eatz, Smoothie King, goGLOW, and more -Learned to empower leaders, exit markets strategically, and build a thriving charity that's raised $2.6 million for kids Whether you're an aspiring franchisee or a seasoned operator, Anna's hard-won insights on pivoting, scaling, and staying profitable will inspire and equip you. Timestamps 00:00 — Anna's early struggles and the 4-month near-quit moment 02:18 — From corporate America to first franchise success with Anytime Fitness 06:43 — The challenge of managing six different franchise concepts at once 11:35 — Why Anytime Fitness had to reinvent its brand (and how owners reacted) 15:12 — Clean Eatz: from exhausting all-nighters to top-performing units 20:37 — Staying calm when early months feel overwhelming (and money is tight) 24:42 — The surprising grand-opening flop that turned into her best Smoothie King 28:42 — Why GoGlo fit Anna's perfect investment formula (low labor, small footprint) 36:34 — Inside the 24-and-24 Foundation: $2.6 million raised for kids' wishes 42:50 — How empowering better-than-you managers unlocks exponential growth Resources: Join Erik's free franchise community: FranchiseSecrets.com/Facebook Explore the Franchisee Mastermind: ScalableFranchise.com Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Resilience

Jerry Pugh went from making $5 an hour as a paramedic to owning 19+ Workout Anytime gyms—and then shocked the franchise world by buying the entire 200-unit brand. Everyone said it was impossible. Private equity experts said no way. Yet Jerry made it happen and now leads the company as CEO. In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Jerry shares how he scaled fast, knew when to close a failing location, negotiated with landlords, attracted private equity, and ultimately pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime majority ownership deal. If you're an entrepreneur, franchisee, or dream of building something big, this story will light a fire under you. 💥 ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Everyone said it couldn't be done: the impossible franchise deal 02:20 – From paramedic to first Workout Anytime franchise purchase 05:40 – Lessons learned closing a money-losing location 09:30 – Planting the seed to one day own the brand 13:45 – Innovating early with wellness suites & bigger gyms 17:50 – How premium amenities doubled lifetime customer value 22:10 – Cutting churn & boosting retention with smart engagement 26:45 – Building trust and relationships as a first-time franchisor CEO 29:50 – Teaching franchisees to scale and attract private equity 33:30 – Pulling off a rare majority-ownership deal with debt & equity 39:30 – Jerry's final advice: work harder, take risks, see opportunities others miss Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/ 👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Grit