Franchise Secrets Podcast

Is franchising really the secret to wealth, or is it just another risky business model? In this episode, Erik Van Horn takes a deep dive into franchise profitability, investment strategies, and common myths surrounding wealth-building in franchising. Erik shares real-life examples of franchisees who built multi-million dollar businesses and those who lost everything. He reveals why choosing the right brand, market timing, and strong operations are critical for success. Erik also explains why franchising isn't a passive income stream unless structured correctly. Discover how franchisees actually build wealth (and what stops them), the biggest myths about franchising and financial freedom, how to scale smartly through multi-unit ownership and acquisitions, and why some franchisees fail despite picking a "good brand." Listen now to unlock the real wealth-building strategies in franchising! "The best franchisees are the best marketers, the best operational people, and the best at making decisions–they are the best at anything it takes to be a really successful entrepreneur." ~ Erik Van Horn In This Episode: - Losing money and making a lot of money in franchising - How timing affects franchise success - Does franchising guarantee success? - Why some franchisees fail despite picking "good brands" - Is franchising a passive income model? - Why franchising is a great path to building wealth - Why some franchisees struggle financially - What franchisors can do to succeed - Can strong franchisees overcome a weak brand? - Erik's advice for franchisors and 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/ 🌐 How To Choose The Best Franchise For You With Guest Eric Stites - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MszGt8iVFws 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/

Thinking about buying a franchise? Avoid common pitfalls! Learn how to research and validate the right franchise for you. Discover key insights like the importance of asking current franchisees the right questions and recognizing red flags in the Franchise Disclosure Document. Brand recognition might not be everything, and understanding the four stages of the buying process can save you from costly mistakes. Plus, find out how franchisors evaluate potential owners—it's a two-way street!

What does it take to go from rock bottom to running a multimillion-dollar business? In this powerful episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Aaron Stokes, an entrepreneur who transformed his early struggles into a thriving empire. From dropping out of school in eighth grade to building a multi-location auto repair business and a highly successful coaching company, Aaron's journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and business strategy. Aaron shares the hard lessons he learned in leadership, perseverance, and financial discipline. He opens up about how he overcame a staggering $5.5 million debt without resorting to bankruptcy, highlighting the mindset and strategies that kept his business afloat. Aaron also provides valuable insights into smart asset protection and lease negotiation tactics, equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools to safeguard their businesses and maximize profitability. Whether you're navigating financial challenges or looking to scale your business wisely, Aaron's experience offers invaluable lessons for every entrepreneur. Listen now to learn how to avoid financial pitfalls and persevere through obstacles! "A lot of entrepreneurs don't understand that the pain is what has brought them so far because they learned something so deep." ~ Aaron Stokes In This Episode: - Aaron's early struggles and entrepreneurial journey - Overcoming $5.5M debt without bankruptcy - How to move forward despite difficult times - Aaron's trait that helped him overcome obstacles - Accomplishing your vision after going through challenges - What's next for Aaron Stokes? - Aaron's words of wisdom for entrepreneurs 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 Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591846358 🌐 Back to Life: The Story of Shop Fix Academy and Aaron Stokes - https://shopfixacademy.com/back-to-life-shop-fix-academy-documentary/ Connect with Aaron Stokes: 🌐 Website - https://www.eurofixonline.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-stokes-969012109/ 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/

Are you thinking about selling your franchise? Whether it's next year or years down the line, the key to a successful exit is preparing now. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and multi-brand franchisee Daniel Castellini reveal the insider secrets to maximizing your franchise's value and attracting the right buyer. Erik and Dan dive into the challenges of preparing a franchise for sale, from cleaning up financials to building systems that ensure a smooth transition. Dan also shares insights from his experience as both a seller and a buyer, revealing what makes a business attractive to potential buyers and private equity firms. Learn actionable tips on preparing a business for sale, negotiating terms, and understanding what buyers are truly looking for. Whether you're years away from selling or considering an exit soon, this episode offers a roadmap to maximizing your franchise's value. Tune in and learn how to build a business that's always ready to sell. "I think when you know what to expect, that's probably the most critical thing. As far as actually dealing with the negotiation, I think a lot of that is gonna be personality-based. Some of that is just gonna happen naturally." ~ Daniel Castellini In This Episode: - The first time Dan thought about selling - Knowing your buyer: private equity vs. individual buyers - Pros and cons of seller financing - Handling emotions during negotiations - The hardest part about preparing for the sale - Preparing for the sale and what happens to your staff - How to negotiate the sale - Why clean financials are essential for selling your franchise - Why every franchisee needs an exit strategy - What's next for Dan? 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 Daniel Castellini: 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-castellini-190b0448/ 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/

What breaks when a franchise scales too quickly, and how can it be fixed? In this eye-opening episode, Erik Van Horn talks with Steven (Steve) Welch, co-founder of Restore Hyper Wellness, about the hidden challenges of rapid franchise growth. Steve reveals the critical missteps as Restore expanded too fast, including leadership gaps, missing operational systems, and a lack of a clear sales process. He then shares how the company is actively course-correcting by rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening its leadership team, and listening closely to franchisees through its Franchise Advisory Council (FAC). This episode is a must-listen for franchisors and franchisees who want to scale responsibly without sacrificing long-term success. "When I stepped into the role, I was hoping there would be a silver bullet. There's no silver bullet. It was a lot of little things that had to change that added up to a lot." ~ Steven Welch In This Episode: - How Steve got into entrepreneurship - Pitfalls of growing too fast - Staying motivated after a big exit - Building a team with scale experience - Why franchisee due diligence matters - How to raise outside capital - Business valuation and convertible notes - How the FAC drives better decisions - Overhauling the sales process for growth - Restore's roadmap for consistent success - Standardizing systems to sustain growth - Advice for people who want to get into franchising 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 Steven Welch: 🌐 Website - https://www.restore.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/livefreeordie/ 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/

Is the franchise industry as fair as it seems? From predatory contracts to overblown earnings claims, Erik Van Horn exposes the hidden truths franchisors don't want you to know. If you're thinking about franchising, you need to hear this first! In this episode, Erik explores the most controversial aspects of franchising, which many avoid discussing. From predatory franchise contracts to the power imbalance between franchisors and franchisees, he uncovers the industry's hidden challenges and questions the norms that often go unchallenged. Drawing on his extensive experience and leveraging cutting-edge tools like AI, Erik challenges outdated systems and sparks important conversations about franchise transparency and accountability. This solo episode is a must-listen for aspiring franchisees, franchisors, and entrepreneurs looking to navigate the industry with open eyes and smarter strategies. If you're ready to uncover the truths behind the franchise world, tune in and discover how to protect your interests and make smarter franchise decisions. ​ "If you're in retail, like a retail-type brand, and the franchisees don't have management in place, you're probably going to be buying yourself a job." ~ Erik Van Horn In This Episode: - How Front Street Equity Partners works with brands - How to use AI tools effectively - Predatory franchise contracts and their risks - Should franchising face more regulation? - Misleading earnings claims exposed - Are you buying a business or a job? - Can franchisors silence criticism? - Hidden fees and costly renovations - Supplier markups draining profits - Market saturation and territory conflicts - Do franchisors profit from failure? - Brand control vs. local flexibility - How bad franchisees hurt brand image 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/

What does absentee ownership actually mean in franchising? Is it really possible, or is it just another myth in the industry? In this replay, Erik talks to his business partners, Luke Jacobson and Terry Rackley from StretchLab, who share their raw and honest journey from hopeful semi-absentee franchisees to successful business partners. After experiencing the reality of burning through 6 managers in 8 months and watching their "10-hour work week" transform into something completely different, they reveal what actually makes absentee ownership possible. Their partnership story shows how the right structure can change everything, leading to profitability increases of up to 200% in some locations. The conversation pulls back the curtain on franchise success: the truth about support systems, the power of systematic organization, the critical role of employee retention, and most importantly - what it really takes to be a successful absentee owner in franchising. "We're not a franchisee that does something totally different than what the franchise is asking. We actually stay pretty close. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel, but on the people side, we try to go above and beyond. They'll take care of customers, which in turn will get us good results." ~ Terry Rackley In This Episode: - Luke's background and how he got into franchising - Terry's background and how he met Luke and Erik - How Luke and Terry became business partners - The importance of speed in opening new locations - Erik's role in the partnership - Why leadership and organizational skills matter in business - Critical factors in running a successful business - Is absentee ownership a myth? - What comes to mind when you hear the term top franchisees? - What does a healthy franchisee-franchisor relationship look like? - Why is aggressive organization necessary when managing a business? - What makes partnerships a good thing? 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/ 🌐 Franchise Equity Partners - www.frontstreetep.com Connect with Luke and Terry: 💼 LinkedIn (Luke) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-jacobson-68632b75/ 💼 LinkedIn (Terry) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryrackley/ 🌐 Website - https://www.stretchlab.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/

Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, discusses the power of personal branding to transform business opportunities. He shares strategies for building a loyal LinkedIn following and the importance of newsletters for direct audience engagement. The conversation also highlights the ROI of effective personal branding in enhancing trust and authority, as well as how franchisors can attract franchisees through a strong online presence. Plus, insider insights into the methodology behind the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list!

Larkin Combs, a former police officer and nurse, is now a top franchisee for K9 Resorts, running the fastest-growing location in Apex, NC. He shares how his background in law enforcement translates to exceptional customer service and operational excellence. Larkin emphasizes the importance of resilience, belief in the brand, and hard work during challenging times like the pandemic. He also discusses the significance of effective communication, support networks, and maintaining work-life balance as a first-time entrepreneur in the pet boarding industry.

Join Bobby Brennan, a franchise expansion expert with a wealth of experience, as he shares vital insights on diversifying your franchise portfolio. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and thorough due diligence before branching out. Discover the 'five C's' for evaluating franchise fit and the significant role of culture. Bobby warns against common pitfalls and highlights the underestimated value of validation. With personal anecdotes, he advocates for a strategic approach while maintaining humility in the journey, ensuring future success without risking it all.