Emerging Franchise Brands

Emerging Franchise Brands

Introducing the Emerging Franchise Brands Podcast, your exclusive backstage pass into the dynamic world of franchising! Hosted by Frank Fiume, the visionary founder of the groundbreaking i9 Sports franchise, this podcast is your go-to source for untold stories and invaluable insights straight from the minds behind some of the most exciting emerging franchise brands.

Episodes

August 7, 2025 44 mins

On this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume is joined by Jason Sant, CEO of Team Up Athletics, and COO Damon Sant. The brothers share how they built a thriving franchise that blends high-touch, local service with national-level resources in the team uniform and sports equipment industry. They discuss why franchising was the right model for their business, how they’re filling a major gap in a fragmented market, and wha...

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In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume chats with Mark Thatcher, President of Salad Spot, and Tyler Dixon, Chief Marketing Officer, about their vision to redefine fast food through simplicity, health, and efficiency. From modular buildings and drive-through-only service to fresh, affordable meals, Salad Spot is built from the ground up to scale. Learn how this Utah-based startup is using branding, streamlined ope...
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In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume sits down with Toni Calderone, founder of PastaNito, to talk about how she transformed a fine dining background and family restaurant legacy into a fast-growing, quick-service pasta franchise. Toni shares the origin of PastaNito’s three-minute fresh pasta concept, her pandemic pivot strategy, and why she believes franchising is the path forward. From humble roots in York, Pe...
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Michael Wagner, President of Roof Scientist, shares how his team is transforming the roofing industry with proprietary nano-ceramic technology. Backed by Homefront Brands, this new franchise model is designed for scalability, recession resilience, and real-world impact for owners who want to build something meaningful in the home services space.


GUEST: Michael Wagner

WEBSITE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wagner-2a10637/

https:/...

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Amy Johnson, founder of Wiki-Licious, shares how she turned a Hawaiian donut favorite into a thriving home-based franchise model across 17 states. From humble beginnings selling malasadas in Alaska to empowering families to build businesses from their kitchens, Amy’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and heartfelt entrepreneurship.


GUEST: Amy Johnson

WEBSITE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-johnson-8b1062252/

https://w...

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Jeanna Womack, founder of Latchkey Pets, shares how a favor for her dad turned into a passion-fueled pet care business and eventually a growing franchise. In this episode, Jeanna reflects on building a business as a young mom, the lessons of franchising through a pandemic, and how she’s creating a purpose-driven brand that supports other women in business. From walking dogs with a stroller to guiding franchisees, her story is equal...

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Zach Tanner, founder of Painter Bros, shares how he started painting homes at 19 and turned that hustle into a multi-million dollar national franchise. In this episode, Zach talks about pivoting from residential to commercial work, why he paused franchising early on, and how his people-first culture helped Painter Bros grow to 130+ locations across 25 states. A must-listen for founders building brands rooted in long-term relationsh...

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Destiny and Eric Rowell, co-founders of Grit + Grind Coffee, share how they turned a community need and a bucket of savings into a thriving franchise brand. From real estate to roasting, the couple recounts how their mobile-first model and grassroots marketing strategy helped them grow from one coffee trailer to a multi-state franchise. With a focus on values, vision, and staying true to their roots, this is a story of purpose, par...

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Wade Brannon, CEO of Pigtails & Crewcuts and franchise veteran behind the growth of Heavenly Ham, shares his journey of turning a single children’s salon into a scalable national brand. In this episode, Wade reflects on life after his first franchise exit, the unexpected opportunity that led him to children’s haircuts, and the business values that guide his leadership. With lessons from economic downturns and a clear vision for...

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Brian Garrison, President of Wonderly Lights, joins the podcast to share how the Buzz Franchise Brands team launched a lighting franchise with a seasonal start and a long-term vision. From incubating Wonderly Lights with successful operators to expanding into year-round services like permanent and architectural lighting, Brian explains what makes this opportunity unique for both franchisees and customers. He also shares lessons lea...

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Josie and Brian Moss, the team behind AAAC Wildlife Removal, share how they turned their passion for wildlife control into a fast-growing franchise. From gator wrangling to running a multi-state operation, they reveal what it takes to build a brand in one of the most unique corners of the home services industry. Tune in for wild stories, smart business insights, and their vision for the future of wildlife removal.


GUEST: Josie and B...

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Kristy Anderson, co-founder of Onus iV Therapy and Longevity, and CMO Chaz Fallhaber join the show to share how they helped turn a mobile IV service into a fast-growing wellness brand with six corporate locations and a fresh new franchise model. In this episode, they talk about the early days of educating consumers, what makes their lounges stand out, and how they’ve created a scalable system rooted in proactive health.


GUEST: Krist...

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Denise Tran, founder and CEO of Bun Mee, shares the heartfelt story behind her bold leap from law to launching a gourmet Vietnamese sandwich brand. In this episode, Denise opens up about how a personal journey to honor her late father led to a deeper connection with her cultural roots—and a powerful business idea.


GUEST: Danise Tran

WEBSITE: https://bunmee.co/franchise


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Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza Company, shares his journey from loyal customer to leading one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the Southeast. In this episode, Carl discusses the importance of simplifying operations, building systems for scalability, and creating a franchise model that puts community engagement at its core.


GUEST: Carl Comeaux

WEBSITE: https://www.crustfranchise.com/startup


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Lance Ingram and Tim Lovett, co-owners of Waterloo Turf, share how they’re transforming the turf industry by turning a local success into a high-growth national franchise. In this episode, Lance explains his transition from medical sales to entrepreneurship, and Tim discusses why Waterloo checked every box as a franchise-worthy brand.


GUEST: Lance Ingram and Tim Lovett

WEBSITE: https://waterlooturf.com/own-a-franchise/


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Chad Offerdahl, President and Co-CEO of The Big Biscuit, joins the show to talk about how a local diner-style concept with two locations grew into a high-performing breakfast franchise with nearly 30 restaurants across four states. In this episode, Chad shares what his team looked for when acquiring the brand, how they built a scalable model from the ground up, and why they're uniquely positioned to support new franchisees with...

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Diana and Derrick Simmons, co-founders of Simply Cabinetry Franchising, share how they turned a garage-based side hustle into a scalable franchise model. In this episode, they discuss building a business during the 2008 recession, the evolution of their showroom strategy, and why cabinetry is more of a need than a luxury. Learn how they've positioned their brand between big box retailers and boutique shops, and how they’ve prep...

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Mason Wu, co-founder of Tutu Land, joins the podcast to share how a COVID-era hobby became a fast-growing franchise concept. From tufting tutorials to tailored tech systems, Tutu Land is creating memorable experiences—and exploring big franchise potential.


GUEST: Mason Wu

WEBSITE: https://tutulandfranchise.com/


DOWNLOAD FRANK'S FREE FRANCHISE TIPS E-BOOK!

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Marc Desgroseilliers, founder of Garage Floors 4 Less, joins the show to talk about the evolution of his business from humble beginnings to a franchise network that's redefining garage beautification. In this episode, Marc shares how growing up on a farm and working in the car business shaped his entrepreneurial mindset—and how a golf game sparked a fast-growing brand. From proprietary flooring systems to a robust training and ...

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Jerod Evanich, co-founder of A Place at Home, joins the podcast to share the story behind this rapidly growing senior care franchise. What started as a personal need to care for aging family members has evolved into a national brand with locations across 20 states. Jerod explains how he and his co-founder, Dustin DeStefano, created a multi-service senior care model that stands out in a competitive industry. From caregiver recruitme...

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