FranchiseU!
FranchiseU! is your inside track to the franchise world—whether you’re a franchisee, franchisor, investor, entrepreneur, corporate exec, or just franchise-curious. Hosted by Dr. Kathy Gosser, a leading voice in franchise education, the podcast features insightful interviews with industry pros and rising stars, from franchise owners to C-suite leaders, support specialists, scholars, and students. Each episode dives into real stories, lessons learned, and strategies that shape the franchise industry. Dr. Gosser brings her expertise and energy to every conversation, unpacking key takeaways and offering personal insights that connect the dots between theory and practice. It’s part conversation, part classroom, and all about helping you understand and thrive in franchising.
Episodes
In this special episode of FranchiseU, co-host Dr. Zac Goldman sits down with fellow University of Louisville colleague and longtime corporate leader Dr. Kathy Gosser to explore the enduring leadership philosophy of Colonel Harland Sanders.
Dr. Gosser shares firsthand insights from her 35-year career at KFC and Yum! Brands, breaking down how a simple roadside restaurant transformed into a global fast-food empire through radical per...
In this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Matt Kunz, President and CEO of Fastest Labs, about relationship-first leadership, franchisee coaching, and the systems required to support sustainable growth. Matt draws on more than 27 years in franchising, beginning with his experience as a Sylvan Learning franchisee. By closely following the operating model, maintaining disciplined marketing and sales prac...
Today Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Chequan Lewis, President of Crunch Fitness, to discuss his remarkable leadership journey from Howard University and Harvard Law School to the helm of one of the world's fastest-growing fitness franchises. Originally aspiring to a career in public service, Lewis began as a litigator before joining Pizza Hut as a franchise attorney, where a pivotal conversation with Yum! Brands CEO ...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Amanda Valente, co-founder and COO of Renovation Sells, to discuss how her company is transforming the home renovation experience through a franchise model built on speed, transparency, quality, and predictability.
Amanda shares her journey from legal marketing to franchise leadership and explains why Renovation Sells was founded to address many of the fru...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser explores how franchise education can open doors to careers that many students and professionals never realize exist. Franchising supports millions of jobs, fuels entrepreneurship, creates pathways to generational wealth, and touches nearly every aspect of business; from operations and marketing to finance, legal strategy, and relationship management. Yet despite its economic impact, ...
On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Alvaro Leal, Director of Business Development at 1-TOM-PLUMBER, to explore why franchising and the home services industry are attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs. Leal shares his journey from marketing work with Chick-fil-A to the fast-growing plumbing franchise sector, drawn by the power of scalable systems, operational consistency, and reces...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Kevin and Kayla Curtis about their journey from athletics, coaching, and education into multi-unit franchise ownership with seven Orangetheory Fitness studios across the Phoenix, Arizona metro area. Kevin, a former NFL player and longtime collegiate football coach, and Kayla, a former Fresno State basketball player, educator, and coach, discuss how they stepped away from t...
Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Robin Gagnon, Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, on what drives successful franchise restaurant sales and the trends shaping the resale market.
Robin shares her path from broadcasting to entrepreneurship, later earning her MBA and building a national restaurant brokerage with her husband, Eric. Under her leadership, the company has expanded nationwide and earned recognition on the INC 5000 and Fra...
Artificial intelligence is reshaping franchising by turning data into real-time insights that improve performance and strengthen relationships. In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Mike Skitzki, COO of Goldfish Swim School, and Gary Liskovich, CEO of Harmonize, about how AI is transforming franchise coaching.
They discuss how systems are moving beyond ...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Dr. Arif Nazir, a nationally recognized geriatrician and physician executive, as he prepares to open Louisville’s first Paris Baguette. His career has focused on improving quality of life for older adults through person-centered care models that strengthen teams, reduce hospitalizations, and preserve dignity and independence.
Dr. Nazir shar...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Josh Patrick, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at KidStrong, the youth fitness brand recently ranked #1 in youth fitness franchising after a year of record attendance and franchise growth.
Josh shares how a chance meeting at Starbucks while studying for the CPA exam launched his career in franchising, beginning with Altitude Trampoline Park and...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, as she interviews Richie Huffman, founder and CEO of Celebree School, about the deliberate path from a single preschool in 1994 to a nationally expanding franchise system. After building the company to 26 corporate locations, Richie began franchising in 2019, formalizing the systems, standards, and culture that had f...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, for a candid conversation with Jon Utterback, an Indiana educator, coach, and multi-brand franchise owner who has built a second career in entrepreneurship while spending more than 30 years teaching high school social studies and coaching football, wrestling, and golf. Based in Plainfield, Jon co-owns and operates Mosquito Joe, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, and ...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, sits down with Emily Bergman, a multi-unit franchisee, and area director with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Emily shares her inspiring journey from starting as a dance instructor at the age of 19 to opening her first studio at 24. She discusses her path to success, which includes breaking sales records, expanding to multiple locations across Ce...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, sits down with Carriann Sillman, in house counsel for the Coldwell Banker Real Estate franchise system and Vice President of Legal at Anywhere Real Estate, Inc.. Carriann shares her inspiring, non-traditional journey to legal leadership, balancing family, work, and night school. She discusses the dynamic role of legal strategy...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, interviews Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill, one of the fastest-growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchises in the country. Ricky shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, including his significant tenure with TGI Fridays, where he served as US President and Global Chief Operating Officer. He discusses his leadership philosophy, the importance ...
From Medical Devices to Mocha Lattes: Donny Bradley's Unique Entrepreneurial Journey with Lola Beans
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser takes a deep dive into the rise of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, one of the fastest-growing brands in the QSR space. Kathy sits down with Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne’s, and Eli Cohen, a rapidly expanding multi-unit franchisee, to explore their journeys, their philosophies, and the culture that makes Layne’s Chicken Fingers stand out.
Garrett shares how his roots in College...
In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Brian Goldstein, President and Owner of Fulenwider Enterprises, to explore one of the most remarkable career journeys in the restaurant industry. Brian started at Taco Bell at just 16½ years old and worked his way up through nearly every leadership position imaginable, ultimately serving as COO of KFC and leading its national operations turnaround.
After ...
From graphic designer to CEO of a national family of franchise brands, Ryan Parsons has built a career defined by creativity and purpose. As the co-founder of the ‘Brothers That Just Do Gutters’ and now CEO of Evive Brands, Ryan shares how he's leading five franchise systems that help people live and thrive from home care to home improvement.
From graphic designer to CEO of a national family of franchise brands, Ryan Pa...
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