Franchise Secrets Podcast

What does it take to build a multi-million dollar business empire in a town of just 65,000 people?

Former pro baseball player Joshua Kalinowski reveals how he transitioned from the Colorado Rockies to real estate, roofing, solar, and beyond—creating multiple thriving companies in a boom-and-bust market. From mindset and leadership to franchise strategy and family priorities, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom for entrepr...

Thinking of selling your franchise brand someday? Don’t do it until you hear this. 

Investment banker J. Patrick Galleher from Boxwood Partners joins Franchise Secrets to break down the real mechanics behind franchise exits, private equity deals, and what makes a brand worth $100M—or not.

We cover:

-Why “vanity metrics” like territories sold can hurt your valuation

-What smart franc...

In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Nic Leland from Front Street to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors in franchise development.

Nic doesn’t just help people say yes to franchises — he helps them say no when it’s not the right fit. His journey from a would-be doctor to a franchise advisor reveals the human side of franchising, identity, risk, and making the right call f...

There’s a reason we don’t say “yes” to every franchise opportunity—and in this episode, we break down why. Jeff Herr joins Erik to reveal what actually makes a franchise brand scalable, investable, and valuable long-term.

We’re talking proprietary IP, raving customers, founder mindset, team culture, recurring revenue, and why the first rule of franchising is: don’t franchise. From a $12M single-unit operator to a high-margin dirt...

What happens when you ignore your gut and hold onto a struggling franchise too long? In this episode, Erik Van Horn shares the raw story of how one decision cost him over $100,000—and how it shaped the way he approaches franchise buying today. From distressed sellers and employee transitions to risky leases and LOI clauses, this episode is packed with real-world lessons for franchisees, franchisors, and investors alike.

🔑 What Y...

What happens when a rockstar franchisee enters a struggling market—and when a weak operator steps into a booming territory? In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Kevin Sill, a second-generation franchisee who helped scale a family-owned Budget Blinds operation to 17 territories and over $20M in annual revenue. But that’s not all—Kevin also made the leap into owning a mom-and-pop flooring business, and he’s sharing the raw, ...

How do you grow a multi-unit fitness franchise without a massive ad budget?

Ray Dunn did it—with free classes, donuts, grassroots events, and relationships. In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn and Ray unpack a masterclass in guerrilla marketing, team management, lead generation, and semi-absentee ownership.

Whether you're launching a new locat...

What separates the average franchisee from the elite? In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn shares the exit playbook used by top-performing franchisees to scale, systemize, and cash out for millions. Discover how to go from franchise operator to investor, build a sellable franchise business, and protect your wealth with smart tax strategies and capital allocation.

Learn the secrets behind:

In this episode, Erik is joined by Sherri Sieber, president of FranFund, to dive deep into the pitfalls and must-knows for emerging franchisors—and the critical importance of funding, accurate FDDs, and realistic projections.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

🚩 Red flags when franchisees are only allowed to call 3 out of 20 franchisees.

💰 Why underfunded franchisees are a risk to your brand’s survival.

📊 The importance of Item 7 in the FDD—an...

Are you ready to turn your passion into a thriving franchise? In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn speaks with Derek Pipkorn, a multi-center owner of Mathnasium, a math-only learning center, about how to scale and manage a franchise successfully. 

Derek shares insights into the challenges and rewards of growing multiple franchise locations and how he’s used his experiences to build a scalabl...

What’s the secret to scaling a franchise brand with venture capital? In today’s episode, Yoni Rechtman shares his insights into what makes franchising a powerful tool for growth and why it’s not just about finding the right product, but about creating systems that work.

Yoni, a principal at Slow Ventures, joins Erik Van Horn to discuss the intersection of franchising and venture capital, explaining why the...

Building a successful franchise isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating the right foundation for your franchisees to thrive. Discover the secrets behind scaling franchises from someone who’s been there and done that.

In this episode, Brigham Dallas, a franchise industry expert and owner of Hello Sugar, returns to discuss what it truly takes to grow and sustain a franchise brand. Brigham and Erik discus...

What makes a successful franchisor stand out from the rest? It's not just about expanding quickly—it’s about building a brand that can scale and stand the test of time. 

In this episode, Jeff Herr of Front Street Equity Partners returns to exchange views with Erik Van Horn. They discuss what sets great franchisors apart from the average ones, why strategic growth and brand consistency are crucial, how the ...

If you think passive income means sitting back and letting the money roll in, think again! In this episode, we uncover the truth behind passive income and why it’s not as simple as it seems.

Join Erik Van Horn as he talks to financial expert Russ Morgan about the realities of passive income. They delve into why most people’s expectations about passive income are misguided and discuss strategies to create g...

What they don’t teach you at Wharton could be the key to building the next big beauty brand. In today’s episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes Adam Ross, former CEO of Heyday and current partner at Front Street Equity Partners. 

Adam shares invaluable insights from his journey, transitioning from banking to entrepreneurship, leveraging his MBA from Wharton, and scaling Heyday into a beauty powerhouse. He dives in...

What if your franchise could generate predictable profits every month without the constant hustle? In this episode, Stu McLaren, an expert on memberships and recurring revenue, reveals the missing link that most franchises overlook.

Stu and Erik dive deep into the world of memberships and how they can transform any franchise system. Whether you're a franchisor or a franchisee, understanding the importance ...

Are you buying a franchise to own a business, or are you just getting another job? 

In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Jeff Herr challenge potential franchisees to think beyond just becoming employees in their own business. He explores the key difference between buying a business and merely buying a job and why it’s crucial to understand this distinction. Erik shares practical advice for future franchise o...

Can franchise ownership really offer freedom, flexibility, and wealth, or is that just a myth?

In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn answers the questions franchisees are asking most, including how and when to incentivize managers, what semi-absentee ownership really looks like, and how to structure profit-sharing or equity without costly mistakes. 

He discusses the pros and pitfalls of buying resale franch...

Can you build a business that thrives in any economy? Lane Martin, co-founder of Modern PURAIR®, reveals the secrets behind creating Canada’s fastest-growing air quality franchise. From navigating challenges to empowering franchisees, this episode is your guide to recession-proof success.

Today, Erik Van Horn sits down with Lane Martin, the driving force behind Modern PURAIR, to explore how this air quality franchise ...