Franchise Secrets Podcast

What defines a strong franchisor-franchisee relationship, and when is it time to exit? In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn unpacks the REAL dynamics between franchisors and franchisees, sharing his experiences across both sides of the table.  He reveals critical insights into identifying a supportive franchisor, managing strained relationships, and recognizing when it’s time to exit a distressed franchise. Through real-life stories, he uncovers the costly impact of missed warning signs and the importance of factoring in opportunity costs before making tough decisions. For expert tips on franchise dynamics and growth strategies, subscribe to Franchise Secrets!   “Every time I sold at a loss, it's the best thing I did. I've probably lost over a million dollars over the years in bad businesses, and most of it were things I could've avoided. But I've made way more money than I have in the losses." ~ Erik Van Horn   In This Episode: - Defining a distressed franchise and when to consider selling - 4 Types of franchisor-franchisee relationships - Warning signs: good franchisees with bad franchisors - How to evaluate franchise financials and avoid deeper losses - Why opportunity cost matters in exit timing - Structuring protective deals and understanding opportunity costs   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://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/ 

Javier Santacruz, a successful multi-location Mathnasium franchise owner and former attorney, shares his remarkable shift into the world of franchising. He reveals how a crucial hire, a former Apple manager, transformed his business operations and team dynamics. Javier discusses the challenges of remote franchise management and the significance of strong leadership and staffing. He emphasizes the importance of solution-oriented collaboration and the unexpected benefits of automation in enhancing efficiency. His insights are a goldmine for aspiring franchisees aiming for success.

Join John Glazier, Senior VP of Franchise Growth at Hello Sugar and a multi-location franchisee, as he reveals his secrets to running eight franchises in just 5-10 hours a week. He discusses the strategic advantages of starting with salon suites, effective hiring practices, and the nuances of managing multiple locations. John shares how to optimize operations through smart systems, personal fit in franchising, and the importance of building strong team dynamics. Get ready for actionable insights that can transform your franchise ambitions!

Jeff Herr, a franchising expert from Front Street Equity Partners, joins Erik Van Horn to discuss the critical questions about franchising. They dive into what scalability really looks like, contrasting single-unit and multi-unit operators. The duo emphasizes the importance of strong support and training systems for franchisees. Legal and financial considerations are also highlighted, alongside the necessity of having a robust franchise disclosure document. They caution against viewing franchising as a quick wealth scheme, advocating for a long-term vision.

Jeff Herr, a partner at Front Street Equity Partners, brings his expertise in franchising to the discussion about whether a business is ready to franchise. He and Erik Van Horn tackle critical questions like assessing your unique value proposition and ensuring that your systems are easily transferable. They highlight the necessity of continuous improvement and a strong brand identity, emphasizing that differentiation can be the key to attracting franchisees. Discover essential insights that set the foundation for successful franchising!

Brooke Budke, a seasoned expert from Momentum Brands, shares her extensive knowledge on executing successful franchise grand openings. She emphasizes that a grand opening is crucial for long-term success and sets the stage for lasting brand impact. Topics include strategic planning, effective marketing, and the importance of the first 90 days. Brooke reveals key strategies for community engagement and avoiding common pitfalls, while highlighting the necessity of clear communication between franchisors and franchisees. Tune in for invaluable tips to ensure your grand opening captivates customers!

What does it take to turn a passion for pickleball into a thriving franchise? In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with The PICKLR co-founders, Jorge Barragan and Austin Wood, to reveal the strategies and lessons behind building one of the most exciting pickleball franchises. From navigating branding challenges to expanding a business with the support of friends and family, Jorge and Austin share their journey of franchising in a rapidly growing sport. You’ll learn the importance of finding the right partner, how to attract potential franchisees, and why hiring key personnel is essential to scaling your brand. Jorge and Austin also offer valuable advice on overcoming sponsorship and partnership obstacles. With their diverse backgrounds and complementary skills, this dynamic duo demonstrates the power of collaboration and vision in achieving franchise success. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, this episode is packed with insights on how to grow your business, attract the right partners, and create a lasting brand. Tune in now!   “I don't believe that problems are a thing—you just have to find the solution. I don't believe in losing or failure—I believe in learning. Me and Jorge like to move fast and make solutions and test things out and beta test stuff. We don't have a fear that something may not work. We don't like to overanalyze. We'd like to try it out and see how it goes, and then we can make adjustments and changes." ~ Austin Wood   In This Episode: – What is DUPR in pickleball? – Why franchise pickleball? Jorge and Austin’s challenges – Why branding matters when launching a business – Growing your franchise with friends and family – Attracting franchisees through events – Overcoming challenges with partnerships and sponsorships – Strengths and weaknesses of Jorge and Austin as partners – The benefits of hiring key personnel – Jorge and Austin’s partnership advice   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses https://scalablefranchise.com/   Connect with Jorge and Austin at The Picklr: 🌐 Website - https://thepicklr.com/ 📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepicklr/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thepicklr/   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/ 

Jhana Li, an operations management expert and former COO, shares her insights on the essential roles of visionaries and operators in scaling franchises. She highlights why many entrepreneurs struggle with delegation and the importance of identifying their 'zone of genius' for growth. Jhana emphasizes building a strong company culture and the balance between visionary ideas and operational execution. Discover how to effectively hire the right operator to free up time for strategic pursuits and drive long-term franchise success!

How do you turn adversity into a thriving business empire? Today's conversation is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and vision.   Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr    In this episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes George Tinsley Sr., whose journey from poverty in Louisville’s Smoketown to building a multimillion-dollar franchise empire is nothing short of remarkable. George shares his challenges, from his early struggles to overcoming the odds stacked against him. Today, Tinsley Family Concessions operates over 60 restaurant brands in airports across Florida and Kentucky, including household names like KFC, Chili’s, and Starbucks.   George’s insights on faith, tenacity, and seizing opportunities provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. His advice to young entrepreneurs emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to your vision, no matter the obstacles.   Tune in to hear George's powerful story and learn how you can turn challenges into opportunities on your entrepreneurial journey!   “That's the part about becoming a franchisee with a franchisor—the franchisor has a proven product, has resources to keep you in line, its procedures with cooking, serving, development, and so forth. If you deviate from that and want to do George Tinsley's fried chicken, that's on you. You're not gonna be successful.” ~ George Tinsley Sr.   In This Episode: - How George built his franchise empire - Lessons learned from Colonel Sanders - Balancing experience with franchise systems - The reality of franchising established brands - George’s surprising success story - Leadership structure and George’s current responsibilities - Doing business in unfamiliar communities - George’s advice for young entrepreneurs - Profitability in food and restaurant businesses - George’s advice for aspiring franchisees    Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 The Determined Entrepreneur: The Story of Dr. George Tinsley and the Values that Guided His Journey to Success by James F. Grebey - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/books/ 🌐 Catch as Catch Can: Building a Legacy by Finding Opportunity in Every Obstacle by George Tinsley Sr. - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/books/   Connect with George Tinsley Sr.: 🌐 Website - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-wm-tinsley-sr/   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/ 

Should franchisees manage their own social media accounts, or is it best left to the franchisor? The answer could make or break your brand's online presence.   Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr   In this episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes Brynn Gibbs, Founder and CEO of Consumer Fusion, to discuss the pros and cons of social media for franchisors and franchisees. Brynn, an expert in online reputation management, shares her insights on whether franchisees should run their social media pages or let the franchisor take control. They explore how businesses can leverage social media for brand consistency and customer engagement while avoiding common pitfalls. Brynn also reveals a game-changing strategy and offers a fresh perspective on social media management in the franchising world. With over a decade of experience in reputation management, Brynn has helped countless brands protect and grow their online presence.    If you are involved in franchising or any business and you want to use the power of social media to expand your reach, don’t miss this essential episode!   “With Google Gemini and this generative AI, Google search is changing. Now more than ever, double down on reviews. Google doesn't just look at your old reviews, the review volume, and the content of those old reviews. They're looking at new reviews, new content, and the quality of those new reviews.” ~ Brynn Gibbs   In This Episode: - Who is Brynn Gibbs? - Social media guidelines for franchisors vs. franchisees - Steps to take if franchisees control social media accounts - Pros and cons of franchisee-managed social media - Benefits of franchisor-owned social media accounts - Shared access: Franchisor oversight with local franchisee posts - Should franchisors post branded content on franchisee accounts? - Analyzing top-performing social media posts - How franchisees can create local content - Best local influencers for franchisees - Key insights on Google Business Profile - The importance of Google reviews - Structuring webinars for maximum impact   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk - https://garyvaynerchuk.com/attention/   Connect with Brynn Gibbs: 🌐 Website - https://www.consumerfusion.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynn-gibbs-590276199/   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/