Best of the Best in Franchising

Best of the Best in Franchising

Welcome to the Best of the Best in Franchising Podcast where in each episode, we talk with a specific leader in franchising who has accomplished remarkable feats and led the way in their franchise brand. We'll discuss how they got started in franchising, a little bit about their chosen franchise brand, what they love most about franchising, and more about what has helped them to be one of the best of the best in the franchise industry.

Episodes

October 14, 2026 • 32 mins

In this episode, I talk with Frank Fiume, founder of i9 Sports about the start of his franchise, how he grew his business, lessons he learned from challenging times in the business, and key lessons that he shares in his excellent book Running with My Head Down. This is a fascinating discussion about what it takes to be successful in franchising and lessons from a veteran franchise leader who now hosts the Emerging Franchise Brands ...

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In this episode, I talk with Barbara Reguero about her transition from working on Wall Street for 23 years to owning a Maid Right franchise with Premium Service Brands. Barbara shares her story about how she has grown her business since she started it in February of 2015, her thoughts on being awarded the Franchisee of the Year in 2020 during a challenging year with COVID, what she does to ensure her team members know they are all ...

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In this episode, I talk with Matt Skellan of Kitchen Tune Up and Bath Tune Up in Columbus, Ohio. He acquired an existing Kitchen Tune Up franchise in June of 2022, added a Bath Tune Up franchise and has grown the business significantly from then until now. Matt shares his story about how he decided to get into franchising and why he chose to join Kitchen Tune Up and Bath Tune Up franchise family. He also shares numerous lessons he ...

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In this episode, I talk with David Chapman on key lessons in franchise marketing and his thoughts on the future of marketing in franchising. David is the founder and board chair of Tidehouse (formerly 919 Marketing) in Holly Springs, North Carolina and has held key executive leadership roles, including CEO and EVP of Marketing for venture-backed companies, as well as Global Account Director for the world's largest advertising agenc...

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In this episode, I talk with Kirk Allen, who is the Chief Operating Officer of Reshift Media on emerging trends in franchise marketing and AI and what franchisors and franchisees should be paying more attention to as they market and expand their businesses.

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In this episode, we talk wtih Ewan Salter of Caring Senior Service about practical uses of AI in franchising and how their franchise uses these tools to improve the user experience for their clients and team members.  

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In this episode, I talk with Betsy Hamm, who is a the CEO of Lifted Studio and host of the Loud and LIfted Podcast. Betsy shares her story about how she went from working in marketing at Hershey Entertainment to becoming involved in franchising. She worked with the founder of Duck Donuts, became its COO and then CEO and led the franchise from about 20 locations to over 200. 

Today, Betsy partners with founders, executives, and...

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In this episode, Richard Yoerk of Express Employment Professionals shares his story about how he and his wife got into the staffing business with Express Employment Professionals and build a multi-unit operation starting in Champaign, Illinois in April of 2008. Today, they have five territories and nine offices. Richard shares lessons he has learned as he has scaled his business, mistakes he has made, the importance of leadership i...

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In this episode, we talk with Barb Volk and Doug Birer, who run a multi-unit KidStrong operation in Florida, North Carolina, and New York. They talk about how their partnership started, lessons they've learned as they've been scaling their business, leadership advice on growing a team, and what they love most about being a part of the Kidstrong franchise organization.

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In this episode, I talk with Ben Kiser, who owns a Fireside RV franchise in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Ben shares his story about how he got into franchising, why he chose Fireside RV, lessons he has learned that help him minimize his time in the business so he can spend more time working on it, what he enjoys most about business ownership, how he maximizes revenue on each rental, how he anticipates and minimizes long-term challenges, a...

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In this episode, I talk with Phillip Morrison, who started a Kitchen Tune-Up franchise in Olathe, Kansas who opened his doors in January of 2022. He shares his story, how he got into franchising with Kitchen Tune-Up, details about how he has scaled his business, unique things they do to make their experience unique for their customers, and why he is so excited for the future growth of his franchise operation.

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In this episode, TJ Azores, who currently owns four franchise territories with 1Heart Caregiver Services shares his story about how he got an E2 visa with 1Heart after completing an MBA and PhD on a student visa. TJ shares his story, what attracted him to the senior care industry, what he likes most about being a franchisee with 1Heart, and his vision for the future in helping seniors to age at home. 

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In this episode, I talk with Benjamin Gregg, who owns a 1-800-PACKOUTS franchise in Southeastern Tennessee (specifically the Knoxville and Chattanooga area). Benjamin shares his story of how he became an entrepreneur and decided to get into franchising and choose to be a part of the cleaning and restoration industry with 1-800-PACKOUTS and Five Star Franchising. He shares lessons he has learned, a big mistake around sales that he w...

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In this episode, I talk with Kamran Ghasri, who is the first franchisee of 1Heart Caregiver Services located in Beverly Hills, California. He joined 1Heart in early 2015. Kamra shares his story about how he got into the non-medical senior care business with 1Heart Caregiver Services and shares lessons he has learned, how he has grown his business, what he does to retain great talent, and why he loves being a part of the 1Heart fran...

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In this episode, I talk with Jon Ostenson, who is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting, on his remarkable career as one of the top 1% of franchise consultants in the United States. He is a frequent contributor on the topic of "non-food franchising" for outlets such as Inc., Forbes, The Franchise Journal and Franchise Connect. Jon is a multi-brand franchisee and is grateful to have strong operators leading his ventures. As a result, he ...

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In this episode, I talk with Pat Abernathey, who owns and operates three Caring Senior Service franchises in Colorado. We talk about his story, how he started working at Caring Senior Service's corporate office, how he started his own locations, and lessons he has learned along the way of building a multi-unit franchise operation.

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In this episode, I talk with Caty Witt, who is a multi-unit PostNet franchise owner in Arizona and California. Caty shares her story, how she got started and how she started scaling into multiple stores. She also shares lessons she has learned from scaling her business, working with others to review and enhance performance, and what she's most excited about as she continues to scale her business.

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In this episode, I talk with Jason Wong, who with his wife Wati started a Studio Pilates International franchise in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. Wati comes from the corporate world as a management consultant in banking and Jason spent the last two decades building and operating businesses in the hospitality and wellness industries across New York.&n...

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In this episode, I talk with Steve Buors about how he and his partner got into franchising and started providing digital marketing services with Reshift Media to franchisors and franchisees. Steve shares lessons he has learned in his business about marketing and promotion, the impact AI is already having on marketing for franchising today, and what he and his team are most excited about in the future of digital media. 

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In this episode, I talk with Cathy Trlica and Lara Harris, a mother / daughter team that own a Caring Senior Service Franchise in New Braunfels, Texas. They share their story, how they chose the Caring Senior Service franchise, how they have scaled and grown their business, secrets to leadership, retention, and getting great referrals from clients, and what they're most excited about in the year ahead for their business.

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