The Best Franchise Growth Strategies for Long-Term Success

Welcome to another insightful and engaging episode of The Advisory Board Podcast! This week, host Dave Hansen sits down with the incredible Danessa Itaya, President of BioOne, to uncover the secrets of franchise success. With over 30 years of experience in franchising, Danessa has seen it all—from building brands from the ground up to leading established franchise systems.


A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, ClientTether, for making this conversation possible. Your support helps bring valuable insights to the franchise community!What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Picking the Right Franchise Owners: The key to long-term success isn't just the business model—it’s bringing in the right people. Danessa emphasizes the importance of engagement, alignment with core values, and selecting franchisees who will actively participate in the brand’s growth rather than take a passive approach.

• Debunking the Absentee Ownership Myth: In home services, there’s no such thing as a truly absentee owner. Even in semi-absentee models, owners must stay engaged, understand the numbers, and lead their teams effectively. If you're dreaming of a “hands-off” franchise, think again!

• The Power of Capitalization: Too often, franchisees struggle because they are undercapitalized. Danessa shares why having financial reserves isn’t just about security—it’s about seizing growth opportunities, sustaining marketing efforts, and ensuring long-term viability.

• Building Market Density & Franchisee Collaboration: More franchisees in a market means more marketing dollars, stronger brand recognition, and better business growth. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the most successful franchisees embrace a cooperative mindset rather than a competitive one.

• The Importance of Core Values: BioOne and Five Star Franchising live and breathe their core values—Driven, Real, Innovative, Vital, and Enthusiastic (DRIVE). These principles guide decision-making and create a culture where franchisees and corporate teams thrive together.

• Supporting Franchisees Through Challenges: Every business faces obstacles, but the best franchise systems provide a safety net of coaching, peer support, and collaborative problem-solving. Sometimes, the most valuable thing a franchisor can do is listen.

To top it all off, Danessa shares a heartwarming (and surprising!) story about a BioOne clean-up uncovering long-lost family photos, reminding us why their work is about so much more than just business.

Final ThoughtsIf you’re looking for expert insights on franchising, whether you're an emerging brand or an established system, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world wisdom. And if you want to connect with Danessa, she’s always happy to talk franchising—reach out via LinkedIn or email her at [e-mail] for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow franchise professionals. Until next time, keep growing, keep learning, and keep building the future of franchising!