Franchise Empires
The Wolf, A Workweek Friend
Most startups are doomed to fail. But there’s an alternative route to financial freedom for hungry entrepreneurs. One that involves far less risk, far more work-life balance, and just as much profit. Franchises. Franchise Empires gives aspiring franchise owners the playbook to build a multi-unit franchise empire of their own. Every episode we hear from guests who are building their franchise empire: Franchisees who started with one unit and aren’t stopping until they get to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands more locations. Hosted by The Wolf, you’ll hear exactly how to turn your ambition into tangible actions and take your first steps up the franchise ladder. We’ll break down the steps you need to take open your first franchise, your second location and beyond, along with the many pitfalls to avoid. Wolf answers all your questions about owning and running your franchise, and interviews guests with first hand experience like Greg Flynn, the multi-billion dollar restaurant franchisee, Jamie Weeks, the largest OrangeTheory franchisee in the world who’s launching his own fitness franchise SweatHouz, and Jason McGowan, Co-founder and CEO of Crumbl cookies. Want to get started on your franchise owning journey? Tune in every Tuesday for a new episode. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Interested in participating as a guest at Franchise Empires? Submit your request here!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 29, 2022 • 38min
S3 Ep10: Greg Flynn - Meet America’s Multi Billion Dollar Restaurant Franchisee
Greg Flynn didn’t follow in the footsteps of his Stanford classmates. But with approx. 2,400 Applebee’s, Taco Bells, Paneras, Arby’s, Pizza Huts and Wendy’s - he’s done ok.The Wolf gets into conversation with the largest franchisee operator in the world. Greg Flynn is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group and Flynn Properties, generating $4 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people across 44 states.In this very special episode Greg shares why he’ll always be a restaurant operator first, how to run a truly collaborative business, and why the franchising business model allows you to focus on the things that really matter.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Check out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Nov 22, 2022 • 37min
S3 Ep9: Dogdrop: The Dog Day Care Franchise Solving Owner Problems
When you’re leaving the most important member of your family at daycare, you need to know it’s safe, fun and stimulating. Shaina Denny’s Dogdrop franchise is all this and more.Dogdrop is the dog day care service founded in LA and which has grown to three units. With the health and happiness of each dog at its core, dog parents can be sure they’re leaving their pets in the best possible care.The Wolf and Shaina talk about how living in China lit an entrepreneurial spark, how solving her own dog care problems led to Dogdrop, and the business model that makes most sense to her unique franchise.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Shaina:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shainadennyCheck out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Nov 17, 2022 • 32min
Level 5 Capital Partners: Unlocking The Secrets Behind Franchise Investment
When you’re franchise investors and operators, you’re writing the playbook as you go. Join The Wolf as he talks to two of the best: Scott Thompson, CDO and MD and Dennis Campbell, VP of Franchise Development, both at Level 5 Capital Partners.They get into why buying into the mission is key to scaling, the balance between too many heads and meeting development timescales, and growing a brand for independent success.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Dennis:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denniswcampbellFollow Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-thompson-618a91/Twitter:https://twitter.com/smthompson1979Check out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Nov 15, 2022 • 44min
S3 E8: Toastique: How Brianna Keefe Swapped Burnout For Gourmet Fast Food
With a lifelong passion for nutrition and food, founding her own gourmet empire was always on the cards. Find out how Brianna found her feet in catering and created Toastique.Toastique is the gourmet toast and juice franchise, offering healthy, responsibly sourced food all day long.The Wolf and Brianna talk decision-making at the 11th hour, working with friends and family, and expanding the Toastique brand across the US.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Brianna:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianna-keefe-4a735087Check out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Nov 8, 2022 • 37min
S3 E7: Hank Horkoff’s Secret Sauce to Creating Franchise Revenue
When Hank’s son described his dad’s job as ‘driving the car’ Hank knew it was time to come out of retirement. Now he’s building a STEAM education empire with Steamoji.Having already built and sold two businesses, Hank turned his entrepreneurial skills to solving the problem of STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math) educational provision.The Wolf and Hank dive into why STEAM subjects should be a national priority, how to develop growth mindsets in children, and why in-person training centers are the point of differentiation for Steamoji.You’ll also hear Hank reveal his revenue-building tactics for franchise success.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Hank:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hankhorkoffTwitter: https://twitter.com/hankfdhCheck out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolfTimestamps:0:00 Intro01:21 Hank’s Aha Moment04:02 Bridging The Gap05:00 Nurturing Interest07:32 How To Prepare The Future Makers09:42 Building a Growth Mindset15:33 The Point of Differentiation17:27 Calling In The Experts20:07 Why STEAM Is A National Priority24:24 Hank’s Secret Sauce For Success
Nov 1, 2022 • 33min
S3 E6: How Brian Scudamore Built a Customer Service Empire With People At Its Heart
Brian Scudamore is the CEO behind O2E, the banner company for heavyweight brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Shack Shine.Not bad for a boy who didn’t graduate high school.Now he’s the founder of a customer service empire worth hundreds of millions and loving every moment of it. The Wolf and Brian get into Brian’s secret sauce, AKA the beer and barbecue test, why watching people grow brings him such joy, and his books aimed at helping potential franchise owners buy and scale a business.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Brian:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scudamoreTwitter: https://twitter.com/BrianScudamoreCheck out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Oct 25, 2022 • 43min
S3 E5: How Brittany Driscoll Built A Massage Empire And Disrupted The Industry
Brittany Driscoll is the marketing exec turned entrepreneur.After getting a taste of working in a fast-growing franchise, she knew she wanted in. Find out how she built her own franchise.The Wolf and Brittany get into conversation about her experience working at beauty franchise, Drybar, which has more than 200 locations across the country. Brittany shares how she and the Drybar founders built Squeeze Massage together and how this franchise is disrupting the industry with its innovative approach, providing a premium experience at an affordable rate and integrating tech through their end-to-end platform.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Brittany:Twitter: https://twitter.com/britdriscCheck out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Oct 18, 2022 • 57min
S3 E4: Crumbl Cookies Franchise: How Jason McGowan Is Building a Sweet Toothed Empire
Crumbl Cookies is the brand that swept the nation. Meet Jason, the unstoppable CEO and Co-founder.Jason founded Crumbl Cookies in 2017 with business partner, Sawyer Hemsley. Since then more than 600 stores are now operating across 48 states, employing over 26,000 people.The Wolf and Jason get into how and he and Sawyer came up with the concept, leveraging a gap in the market, how cutting edge technology is part of the Crumbl brand, and Jason’s thoughts on whether a cookie franchise can really conquer the globe.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Jason:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmcgowanTwitter: https://twitter.com/jasonmcgowanCheck out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolfThe Wolf is a friend of Workweek, the media company working with creators to bring you great podcasts. Find out more: www.workweek.com
Oct 13, 2022 • 10min
S3 E3: How In N Out Burger Created a Cult Following
When you’ve got 14-hour long queues out the door, you’re doing something right. But how does a small burger franchise create super fans?Join The Wolf for this commentary episode where he deep dives into how a small fast food chain can create the kind of obsessive fan base larger brands can only dream of.You’ll hear In N Out Burger’s back story, what stands them apart from other burger joints, and why the family owners value traditional values over rapid growth.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Check out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Oct 11, 2022 • 50min
S3 E2: How to Build a Sports Franchise Empire That Impacts 1,000,000 + Kids
Adam Geisler and John Erlandson love sport, but they also love how sports influence children’s lives for the better. That’s why they own 4 sports franchises.Youth Athletes United is the umbrella platform for Adam and John’s 4 franchise brands : Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, TGA, and Little Rookies. The Wolf, Adam and John talk through how a passion for sports can’t be taught, but business can, how they went into partnership after working together in the boxing industry, and why more than 1 million kids are impacted by their brands every year.If you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Adam:Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697Follow John:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-erlandson-62409b4Check out The Wolf’s newsletterStay up-to-date on all things Franchise Empires by following The Wolf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
