DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Deean Ferrone on the Franchise Hot Seat, discussing her journey from being a teacher to becoming a successful franchisee of Pigtails & Crewcuts, a children's hair salon chain. Ferrone's transition to business ownership was sparked by the difficulties of virtual teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. She and her husband conducted thorough research and due to fortunate circumstances, they were able to acquire three salons in just half a year. Ferrone empha...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews Shelly Sun Berkowitz, founder of BrightStar Care, a leading healthcare franchising company with over 400 units. Shelly discusses her transition from accounting to healthcare franchising, and her strategic partnership with Peack Rock Capital. She stresses the importance of choosing the right private equity partners and the value of supportive relationships within the franchising community. Shelly intr...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Alex Smereczniak, the co-founder and CEO of Franzy, in the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. Alex presents Franzy as a comprehensive platform for potential franchisees, likening it to 'Zillow for franchising.' The platform aggregates vital data such as financials, consumer sentiments, and franchisee feedback. The interview explores Alex's professional journey, from transforming a laundry service into a franchise model to establishing ...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, a franchising professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University and host of the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, converses with Bob McCracken, an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran and Hot Head Burritos franchisee. They delve into why veterans make exceptional franchisees, highlighting the discipline, meticulousness, and plan-following abilities honed during military service. They also discuss the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetF...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of the Franchise Hot Seat, engages in a comprehensive discussion with Schuyler "Rocky" Reidel, founder of the Reidel Law Firm, on various pressing and contentious topics in the franchising industry. They emphasize the crucial role of specialized legal advice in franchising, particularly during a government shutdown that affects SBA loans. Rocky underscores the importance for franchisees to comprehend their responsibilities and limita...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes hosts Jack and Jill Johnson from Franchise Insiders on the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. The Johnsons' franchising journey began with Jack's father founding Home Care Assistance after a franchise rejection, which evolved into a successful family business. As franchise consultants, they guide others through the complex franchising world. Key topics include the necessity of thoroughly evaluating franchises, consulting with current franchise ow...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, in the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, underscores the significance of matching employees with roles that complement their strengths to enhance productivity and avoid disengagement. He references studies from Gallup and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) that reveal a large number of employees feeling underutilized and the substantial economic impact of disengaged workers. Monica Feid, COO of Thunderly Marketing, is featured in ...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Kristopher Stuart, Chief Information Officer of Blooming Blinds, on the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. Stuart shares his accidental entry into franchising while seeking improved business opportunities. He traces the growth of Blooming Blinds from a family-owned retail business to a thriving franchise with 86 franchisees across 158 territories. Stuart discusses the pros and cons of running a family business, the critical role of sel...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and chair of the International Franchise Association's Board of Directors, who shares her journey from the Marine Corps to franchising via a company called Cookies by Design. Thompson highlights the importance of franchising in developing her business skills and its transformative impact on her career. She discusses her career progression, including roles at Mr. Rooter and the Dwyer Group, and emphasize...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, interviews Jack Monson, Chief Growth Officer at Thunder Lee Marketing and host of the Social Geek podcast. They delve into Monson's marketing and client acquisition roles, his franchising journey, and the significance of fostering enduring relationships in the franchise sector. The discussion encompasses effective marketing tactics, the use of social media platforms like LinkedIn, and the importance...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, engages in a detailed discussion with Alaina B. Karsten from McDonald Hopkins, a professional with significant experience in advising franchisors and franchisees and handling litigation. The conversation revolves around the intricacies and potential risks associated with franchising, underlining the necessity of carefully examining franchise agreements and fully comprehending the long-term commitments and respo...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews former TV news reporter John Brice, who transitioned into a successful franchisee and is now preparing to become a franchisor. Brice's introduction to franchising came through a family friend who owned a McDonald's franchise. This sparked his interest and led him to owning eight McDonald's restaurants. He later became an area developer for Firehouse Subs and the largest U.S. franchisee of Pro Shred S...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews Shay Kleinschmidt, Vice President of Funding at Fran Fund, a company based in Fort Worth, Texas, that provides funding solutions to franchisees nationwide. Kleinschmidt discusses the changing franchising landscape, stressing the importance of early and tailored funding strategies. She also highlights the role of AI in enhancing lending processes, including a lender match system that matches client pr...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Alesia Visconti on Franchise Hot Seat, where she discusses her transition from corporate America to franchising, a move sparked by disillusionment. Visconti, owner of Fran Serve and author of 'The Pink Tsunami: Women's Rise in Franchising', highlights the lack of awareness about franchising opportunities, especially for women. She underscores the variety of roles within franchising, not limited to being a franchisee, but also in...

DESCRIPTION: Anthony Bambino, the founder and CEO of 3Natives, shares his journey from a traveling salesman to the owner of a successful acai cafe franchise in Florida on the Franchise Hot Seat. He discusses the transformation of 3Natives from a single juice bar to a rapidly expanding franchise with 48 stores and more under development. Bambino talks about his experiences with franchising, the initial struggles, the significance of company culture, and the import...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes interviews Madalina Iordache, founder of Bright Pink Agency, on the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. They explore Iordache's transition from Romania to the United States, her journalism career, and her shift into the franchising industry. Iordache recounts her initial experiences in the U.S., her introduction to the franchising industry in 2008, and her substantial contributions to brands such as Puro Clean. The discussion emphasizes the signif...

DESCRIPTION: Dr. John Hayes interviews Larry Strain, Chief Development Officer of Retro Fitness, in the Franchise Hot Seat episode, discussing the complexities of real estate in retail franchising. Larry shares his three-decade experience in retail development, highlighting the changes brought about by e-commerce giants like Amazon. He underscores the growing significance of service-based retailers, particularly fitness centers, and the real estate challenges the...

DESCRIPTION: In this episode of the Franchise Hot Seat, host John Hayes interviews Fred Fry, Vice President of Franchise Development for 16 Handles. Fred shares his career journey from banking and finance to the franchise industry, highlighting how he discovered franchising through a friend at church after relocating to Texas. He previously worked with HTO and Shipley Donuts, where he played key roles in their significant growth. The episode dives into the appeal...

DESCRIPTION: The podcast guest is Aaron Rose, a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and the founder of Fran Partners, a recruitment agency specializing in franchisees. Rose discusses his journey and how his education in franchising prepared him for roles in different franchise companies before he established his own. He identifies a gap in the market for hiring support focused on franchises, particularly for mid-level roles, and outlines the services provided by Fran Partners. Ro...

DESCRIPTION: John Hayes, the host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews Bill Edwards, a specialist in international franchise development. Edwards discusses the current international franchising environment, highlighting the influence of political sensitivities and tariffs. He underscores the necessity for franchises to be profitable domestically before contemplating overseas expansion, warning that international market entry requires substantial time, financial resources, and senior management c...