Top Franchise Relationship Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Johnny Franchise on Building Rock-Solid Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships

Episode Summary:In this milestone episode of The Advisory Board Podcast, host Dave Hansen finally ropes in a long-time wishlist guest:

the one and only Johnny Francis—aka Johnny Franchise. A Swiss Army knife of franchising, Johnny brings decades of wisdom, wit, and hard-earned perspective to a conversation that dives deep into the heartbeat of successful franchise brands: strong, interdependent relationships.

Brought to you by our sponsor ClientTether, whose CRM and automation tools help franchisors and franchisees stay connected and thrive together—just like Johnny would recommend.

Dave and Johnny explore what makes a franchise brand actually work beyond just a proven model. Spoiler: it’s not just about systems—it’s about people, trust, and training. Johnny shares why franchisors must obsess over franchisee success, not just ROI, and why continuous training—not just a one-time onboarding—is the unsung hero of brand performance.

They also unpack how to spot breakdowns in the relationship ("blame is the first red flag") and why franchise advisory councils aren’t just a checkbox—they’re a franchisor’s secret weapon. Johnny shares stories of turning struggling FACs into collaborative powerhouses and offers simple signals for when your brand needs one (hint: when you can’t remember everyone’s names).

Other gems include:
How franchisors can foster innovation from franchisees without triggering chaos
The dangers of an "us vs. them" culture

Why private equity can both help and hurt—and what to watch for
The underestimated value of showing vulnerability as a leader
Johnny leaves us with one powerful reminder: franchising only works when everyone wins.
Want to connect with Johnny?You’ll find him at johnnyfranchise.com or on LinkedIn. He’s happy to chat—just don’t be surprised if you get help before you get an invoice.

Huge thanks again to ClientTether for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking to improve franchisee engagement and performance with less manual follow-up and more automation, check them out.