Franchise Interviews

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with John Bennett, Director of Franchising  for Sunny Days In-Home Care, LLC .  Sunny Days In-Home Care grew out of the compassion and values of husband and wife team David and Evelyn Ellenwood who saw a need for better in-home care in their hometown of Pittsburgh. The two entrepreneurs committed themselves to developing a system of high-quality, affordable home care services that would allow people to lead dignified and independent lives in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Now, with a solid, experienced development team that has nurtured and grown multiple locations over the years, they are committed to providing services to even more seniors and others in need – along with the help of motivated owner-operators who are looking to do good in their local areas. In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.   Today’s Show is being sponsored by the lightspeed Speaker Series 1 for Retailers Summer Edition.  Go to h

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Todd Hopkins, Founder/CEO/President of The Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services franchise.  Office Pride is a fast-growing franchise in the $78 billion commercial cleaning industry. Their franchisees provide top-quality janitorial services and total floor care delivered in a professional and consistent way, through a commitment to honesty and integrity. As an Office Pride franchisee, you can enjoy all of the benefits of owning and growing your own business, plus the added benefits that comes with being part of a 25 year old franchise with a carefully-designed and proven business success model and support structure. As a part of our network, you will immediately have impeccable references, world class training and support plus financial and operational tools. The culture at Office Pride is our true distinguishing quality – our Core Beliefs and Values set the tone for every business interaction we have and we’re known nationwide for providing total customer

Welcome to a very special edition of Franchise Interviews,where for over 10 years we have been asking the frantrepreneur who owns one.  I am your host Marty McDermott  and I am the President of Franchise Interviews.We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Bill Redfern, founder of Global Franchise Opportunities, which includes internationally recognized brands (A Buyers Choice Home Inspection, iHandyman and iCare- Intelligent Home Care Solutions).  In part 2, we discuss what every frantrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Randy Wright, President at Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care franchise. Being your own boss at Cottman, means you don’t have to go it alone. From the moment you become a business owner at Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, you’re part of our family. We will hand you a well-oiled business model – with the support of a nationwide team, an established system for success, and peers who are just as committed to your success as you are. There has never been a better time to roll into the Cottman family and benefit from decades of experience and a trusted reputation for quality auto care. Millions of car owners think of Cottman as “my mechanic.” It’s the national brand that provides local service, offering one-stop service for total car care. After 50 years, we’ve become an automotive aftermarket industry leader with nearly 70 locations nationwide.

We have a great show today.  We are meeting Nick Friedman, the founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving franchise opportunity.  College Hunks Hauling Junk is the fastest-growing junk hauling and moving franchise in America. College Hunks Hauling Junk has been named one the fastest growing companies in America by “Inc.” and has made “Entrepreneur” magazine’s list of top franchise opportunities for five years in a row and counting.  The growth is driven by a smart business model that allows College Hunks owners to act as executives in their businesses. In part 2, we discuss what every frantrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  

We are meeting Rick Del Sontro, CEO of Zippy Shell, a moving and storage franchise that is disrupting both industries.  Zippy Shell is the fastest growing provider of secure, convenient, and affordable mobile self-storage and moving solutions that are delivered right to your door. A unique business opportunity for the 21st Century. Zippy Shell combines both a patent pending technology and operating system, with a cost-efficient model designed to serve the Mobile Self Storage market. Zippy Shell offers a low investment and competitive entry into the market! In part two, we discuss what every frantrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We play a clip from our interview with the great Michael Gerber on our popular "Great Quotes in Franchising" podcast.  Michael turned 81 years young this week.  Happy birthday Michael!  

This week (June 15 to June 17) Franchise Interviews will be visiting the International Franchise Expo in New York at the legendary Javits Center. Many refer to this show as the Super Bowl of franchising. Today you will hear numerous interviews on how to prepare for a franchise show.  First you will hear our conversation with Tom Portesy, the President of Mart Franchise Ventures Expositions.  Mr. Portesy will discuss what aspiring frantrepreneurs can expect from a franchise show.    Next you will hear our interview with the franchise expert Terry Corkery who gives his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to buy a franchise as well as some fantastic tips on attending franchise shows.   The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, or Javits Center is a large convention center located on Eleventh Avenue, between 34th and 40th streets, on the West side of Manhattan in New York. http://www.ifeinfo.com/

We have a great show today.  We are meeting Dave Claflin, founder of Fastest Labs.  the nation's leading drug testing franchise. Fastest Labs currently has 20+ locations in eight states with sights set on becoming the largest drug testing franchise in America. Led by founder and entrepreneur Dave Claflin, Fastest Labs is able to create a niche in this ultra-competitive market by seeing clients within five minutes of arrival, not requiring appointments, and delivering immediate test results - something the competition isn't able to do. Did you know? A recent study from Quest Diagnostics revealed that drug use in the American workforce, fueled by illicit drugs, reached the highest positivity rate in 12 years - up 5% from this time last year. The analysis suggests that employers committed to creating a safe, drug-free work environment have an uphill battle against the on-going threat to workplace safety posed by substance abuse. In Part 2, find out what every entrepreneur should know before buying a franchise

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Kate Doyle, the Franchise Development Marketing Manager at Club Pilates. Founded in 2007, Club Pilates is a boutique fitness studio that specializes in strength-training classes for anyone, at any age or fitness level. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, the company is experiencing rapid growth and expects to have 350 locations open by the end of the year. With more than 500 instructors teaching over seven million workouts each year, Club Pilates is the first studio to create a 500-hour Teacher Training Program designed to thoroughly and safely teach group Pilates apparatus classes along with TRX, Triggerpoint, and Barre. In 2017, Club Pilates was named to Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 ranking, and ranked No. 17 on the magazine's 2017 Top New Franchise list. In Part 2, find out what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular "Great Quotes in Franchising" podcast. 

We are meeting with Patrice Rice and Brian Miller from Patrice & Associates. Founded in 1989 in the basement of Patrice’s home, Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting has grown to become one of the largest restaurant recruiting and hospitality recruiting firms in the country. Their franchisees and recruiters are of the highest caliber. Their team has strong in experience and includes backgrounds such as Vice Presidents, District Managers, Managing Partners, Chefs and General Managers from restaurant and hotel concepts such as The Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Marriott Corporation, Red Robin, TGI Fridays, Arbys, Buffets, Applebees, Friendly’s and YUM Brands. They have helped thousands of hospitality candidates find new job opportunities. Many companies have made over 1,000 hires from Patrice and Associates.  Early in her career, Patrice wrote a book on “How to Interview” and taught classes on successful interview techniques. They represent all major restaurant

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with  Lee Knowlton, Massage Envy’s Sr. Vice President of Global Sales & International Division. Here’s some background information: Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a national franchisor and, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage and skincare services. The Massage Envy franchise system is, collectively, the largest employer of massage therapists and estheticians. In part two, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know in their quest to buy a franchise on our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. 

As a Certified Tax Coach™, Craig belongs to a select group of practitioners throughout the country who undergo extensive training and continued education on various tax planning techniques and strategies in order to become, as well as remain, certified. With this organization, Craig has co-authored an Amazon best seller, Secrets of a Tax Free Life. In addition to tax planning, Craig's practice offers traditional tax services as well as off site CFO services. With a dedicated and passionate team we are able to provide daily guidance and advice to business clients. Our efficiency is embedded in our team concept. Our clients include, but are not limited to, Medical Professionals, Clothing Sourcing Businesses and Commercial Electrical Companies.  Craig answers the following questions: What  is the biggest  mistake you see small business owners making regarding taxes? How can business owners use their CPA to their Advantage?      How often should a business owner communicate with his/her CPA and why is it so i

From a kitchen experiment to a thriving, international company, all developed from one purpose.  Smoothie King first introduced the nutritional fresh-blended smoothie in 1973 when founder Steve Kuhnau began experimenting with mixing real fruit, nutrients and proteins in a blender at home. Soon enough, his concoctions began to have a positive impact on his health, which spawned the creation of the first Smoothie King. Launching Smoothie King Franchising By 1989, Smoothie King became the first smoothie franchise in the United States. Since then, the brand has expanded its reign with each "Lifestyle Center" also offering healthy retail product solutions in sport beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals, and other sports nutrition products. SK USA, Inc. Purchases Smoothie King In July 2012, Smoothie King co-founders Steve and Cindy Kuhnau sold controlling interest of the Louisiana-based company to SK USA, Inc., headed by CEO Wan Kim, a successful franchisee with more than 1

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Dave Lavalle – Founder of the Dryer Vent Wizard franchise.  David Lavalle, founded the Dryer Vent Wizard franchise system in 2004 in the Boston area. Lavalle frequently encountered homeowners having issues with their dryer vent systems that required an “urgent response.” These issues were a result of dryer vent lint accumulation, blockages, disrepair, or improper venting configurations. The concept originated when Lavalle realized the need for a specialist for dryer vents.   Within a few years, the concept expanded into a successful franchise that specializes in dryer fire prevention and energy savings through dryer vent cleaning, inspection, repair, replacement, alterations, and maintenance for single and multi-family residential and commercial entities. In Part 2, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Sammy Aldeeb – Founder of Urban Bricks.  Urban Bricks Pizza bring an authentic Neapolitan pizza at a reasonable price to their customers’ table.   Urban Bricks Pizza embrace the pizza eating culture by providing a customized experience for every taste without compromising our quality for speed. Urban Bricks Pizza is much more than a brand, a name or a product, it is part of a lifestyle. Their personality speaks for itself: we are edgy, outgoing, and progressive. We are not your ordinary pizza place and we like to show it off.  Urban Bricks Pizza believes in authenticity, great customer service, integrity, and quality are the high standards we practice and pass to everyone who joins the URBAN BRICKS PIZZA family.   In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.    

We are meeting with Raymond Griffin of the Lost Cajun Restaurant franchise.  The Lost Cajun Restaurants” features southern style home cooking, like Fried catfish, shrimp and oysters.  The Lost Cajun Restaurants are a full service, family friendly restaurant and provide, the best service in the industry and it is their goal to make all of their guest feel like they are having dinner at a friend’s house. From our open kitchens, to our handmade wooden tables and our New Orleans atmosphere, you will think that you stepped off of the street into a New Orleans bistro! In part 2, we discuss what ever frantrepreneur should know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Jeremy Barnhart of the Apex Fun Run franchise. Apex Fun Run is working hard to make fundraising easier! Their method is to collaborate with school PTO/As and faculty to build student leaders through a meaningful, “hassle-free” and financially successful school fun run. Apex Fun Run believes every child can change their school, and the world, in a profound way.  Some of the additional benefits include the following: Serving others brings the greatest joy and contributes to the greatest good. Learning by doing and exercise are both undervalued and underutilized in fundraising today. Encouragement and enthusiasm build others up—we will help build leaders. Raising money for your child’s school can also serve as a positive learning experience. Many people giving a little reduces the individual burden on the typical givers and donors. Teachers have skin in the game and that makes for highly-motivated and excited coaches. Your teachers will coach their classro

Ask The Frantrepreneur Who Owns One After losing her job, Lisa Freidel and her husband, Mark – both military veterans – were facing some adversity, but nothing stands in the way of a U.S. Army Major and his West Point graduate wife! Their strength is seeing adversity and finding a resolution. That resolution, a new Signarama store, is located at 1005 Middlebrook Dr., in Liberty, MO. Mark, 53, had been a stay-at-home dad for the past 13 years to the couple’s two sons, while Lisa, 48, got her MBA and spent the past 20 years working in the private business sector and corporate America. In part 2, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. 

We are meeting with Morgan Morano of Morano Gelato.  Morano Gelato is a small New England-based company dedicated to promoting the art of gelato-making through its production of authentic Italian gelato in small, concentrated batches. Morano Gelato was established in 2010 by Morgan Morano after spending 6 years living on and off in Italy. Morgan grew up in the Upper Valley and always planned to open a dessert-related business. During college and after culinary school, Morgan gained experience working and cooking in New York City and Italy, the most significant being her work for a Sicilian Gelato Chef who quickly became a close friend and mentor. Morgan appreciated the bold flavors of gelato found in Italy and noticed the lack of authentic gelato shops with Italian flavors in America. Disappointed with products claiming to be 'gelato,' she set out to establish the tradition of gelato-making in America and recreate pure Italian gelato.    

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Mike Mallory Vice President of Franchise Development in North America for TREND Transformations, a global full-service home and business remodeling franchise that offers stylish and affordable alternatives to traditional countertops, mosaic tile backsplashes and more through a one-day resurfacing process.  In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.