Franchise Interviews

Today's show begins with an interview we did on CBS Radio with Business Coach Lynn Johnoson.  In Part II, we are meeting with Sean Collins, the CEO of the Costa Vida franchise opportunity. Costa Vida is inspired by the beautiful Baja Peninsula Coast and the lifestyle that pushes you to catch the wave—rather than stand on the sideline to let life pass you by. This costal lifestyle is a vision about the satisfaction of things done the right way. Cost Vida believes that food created with passion, from scratch daily, tastes better! And their customers know the difference.    

Brewster’s Chicken has all the following under the same roof: Buckets of chicken, Brewster’s Chicken, Chicken sandwiches, and side items. Brewster’s uses the Brewster’s chicken process which provides a tender, juicy, and flavorful product with a fraction of the carbs, and fewer calories and less fat in most instances, than the leading national brand.  Brewster’s allows their menu to expand or contract; Brewster’s offers beer as an option and believe in our 3 “Q”s” ~ Quality, Quantity, with Quick-Service. Brewster's build your business as big (or small) as you wish: Express (Malls / Convenience stores), strip mall (In-line or End-units) or freestanding units.  We are meeting with Mark Anderson, the CEO and founder of Brewster’s Chicken. Brewster's Chicken was developed for all the entrepreneurs that want to own a piece of America. AMERICA'S CHICKEN SANDWICH.  Open seven (7) days a week.Our Chicken is cage-free and Halal certified. Offering our Brewster's Chicken: Sandwiches, Tenders, and NuggetsFrench Fries

We had an opportunity to meet with Fun Bus at the International Franchise Expo in NYC.  It’s more than a bus…. It’s an experience! FUN BUS Fitness FUN on Wheels® is THE Children’s “FUN Fitness Program”, with a low-cost, multiple revenue streams, and profitable operating system offering a FUN time, FUN talk and a FUN experience for everyone. The Company’s foundation is solid and based on our experienced and dedicated people. We are the first to make this type of business affordable, the ONLY franchise doing this, and for that reason, our group of Franchisees will be at the forefront of an industry that just now is coming into its own!! The Fun Bus has brought to life the philosophy to enhance children’s lives by using FUN as a tool to their learning while providing a structured environment to teach FITNESS to the young child. At the same time, we are focusing on providing a positive environment, building self-esteem, perfecting coordination and motor skills, physical fitness, and social interaction. (Not to m

Back in 1993, Joanna Meiseles sought a hair salon that catered to her young children. But instead of a salon, she discovered a business opportunity. That’s because at each hair salon she visited, she either found (1) stylists not wanting to deal with wiggling, squirming kids (2) suboptimal cleanliness standards, or (3) little or no originality in the design. Joanna knew there had to be a better way to crop kid’s hair while keeping them entertained, so that kids would be captivated rather than tearful, and parents would be fascinated rather than fearful.  We are meeting with offer Kim Ellis, the VP of Franchise Development of Snip-Its

We are meeting with Jackie Jordan and Chris Gaba of the Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise. Since 1997 and with over a million total dog visits to their system, Central Bark Doggy Day Care have learned more about dogs, dog socialization and dog behavior than any other company in the industry. It is that experience and expertise that sets Central Bark Doggy Day Care apart as the leader of the pack and the first and largest UnKennel franchise concept..  In part 2, we hear a clip of our interview with Chris Simnick, the founder of FranchiseTeacher.com from our Great Quotes In Franchising Podcast.

We are meeting with Sidharth Oberoi, President and Chief Academic Officer, Zaniac.  Zaniac is a fun, colorful campus where kids are doing stuff like Robotics with Legos, 3D Printing, learning about physics by playing Minecraft on the iPad, building, designing and selling their own Apps in the Google Play store, Coding for Girls and more. Some of the topics we will discuss on the show are the history of the organization, a typical day as a franchisee, and the training provided to franchisees.  We will also dive into the role technology plays in the organization and what types of individuals make good franchisees for the business.  Lastly, we address plans for the future as well as advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to buy a franchise.  Learn more by listening to this fantastic segment!

We are meeting with Dante Vespignani of Turma Inc. dba, The Entrepreneuers Source. Dante Vespignani has spent his entire career in the food and restaurant industry. Prior to starting Turma, Inc., he entered the business in 1973 with an Arby’s franchisee, growing the franchise to 21 restaurants with two full service concepts Tequila Junction and the Samari Steakhouse, Switching from franchise to company operations Vespignani held various senior management positions before leaving in 1993 as Director Operations NE United States, encompassing over 800 restaurants with 227 franchise groups. Prior to starting his own restaurant consulting firm he was the Director of Franchise Operations/Sales for a start up, full serve restaurant chain, growing that concept to over 100 restaurants. Turma, Inc., DBA The Entrepreneurs Source, evolved as a need based organization, bridging the gap for many franchise operators with different concepts, whose expertise was lacking in the areas of marketing, operations, P&L and cos

KLA Schools is an upscale preschool catering to children three months of age up to age six. KLA schools offers innovative early child care facilities along with a unique approach to early childhood education. The KLA Schools concept is inspired by cutting-edge educational philosophies including the Reggio Emilia Approach. KLA is building a world-class franchise organization that sets new standards for excellence within the children's educational services industry. Heavy reliance upon the Reggio Emilia Approach provides KLA with a different method than what has become the standard in American daycare and preschool franchises. Many parents who are seeking the best for their children are drawn to KLA's new system and the inspirational design of the schools. While childcare and preschool centers often lay claim to having a superior education program or curriculum, few back up this claim with a concrete, verifiable explanation.  We are meeting with Roberto Ortega, CEO and co-founder of KLA Schools.

The Pie Hole, the celebrated Los Angeles based pie and coffee concept, recently  announced the launch of its worldwide franchise program. Named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Best Pies in America list, The Pie Hole features sweet and savory, made-from-scratch pies and locally roasted premium coffee in a fast casual, local gathering space format.  We are meeting with Sean Brennan Founder/CEO The Pie Hole. We asked Sean what he looks for in his franchisees.  He suggested  if you have a passion to be part of the great American traditions of pie and coffee, you may be a perfect partner for The Pie Hole.  If you care about your community and want to provide made from scratch sweet and savory pies – you may be a perfect partner for The Pie Hole. If you want to own a business that does good in your community and makes the world a little happier one slice at a time- you may be a perfect partner for The Pie Hole.  The Pie Hole has franchise opportunities in many regions of the US and overseas.  In part 2, you will hear a

We are meeting with Trinity Hall, Senior Vice President of Development for Dickey's Barbecue Pit.  Every Dickeys Barbecue Pit location smokes all of their meats on-site at the restaurant the same way it was done in 1941. Over the years Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has been recognized by journals and business magazines.  Some include the following: “Top 100 List: Private Companies”   Dallas Business Journal “Top Fastest Growing Companies” by Inc. Magazine Dickey's serves up beef brisket, pulled pork, ham, polish sausage, turkey breast and chicken, with an extensive array of home-style sides from jalapeño beans to macaroni and cheese. Buttery rolls are served with every meal along with the complimentary ice cream and dill pickles. And just like always, kids eat free on Sunday.

In today's podcast, we are meeting with Ron Holt, the CEO and President of Two Maids and a Mop.  Over the years, the Two Maids and Mop received some great accolades.  Some include the following. Inc. Magazine’s 2013 Fastest Growing Cleaning Company in AmericaCleaning for a Reason’s 2012 National Maid Service of the Year2013 Hire Power Award for Best Job Creator in Home Cleaning Industry TWO MAIDS & A MOP™ offers a unique selling proposition that has long been admired within the residential cleaning industry. People from almost every serviced based industry have worked extremely hard to determine the true inner workings of the famous TWO MAIDS & A MOP™ Pay for Performance Compensation Plan. What makes the Pay for Performance Plan so great and how does it work? In a nutshell, the Plan makes an owner out of every single one of our Team Members. Basically, a customer will rate their service on a simple scale from 1-10. The rating–and that rating alone–directly determines the compensation level paid to th

From what we have witnessed, the real estate market has changed dramatically over the last couple of years. Franchisees face a more difficult task of finding their way through that real estate maze and finding the best location for their particular franchise. We are glad to have Mark Block on the show. Mark is very knowledgeable on the topic of Real Estate with a unique ability of help franchisees get though this maze and find great locations. Mark is a licensed Real Estate Sales Person working with one of the foremost Real Estate Firms in NYC, EVO Real Estate. Marks unique experience covers every aspect of the Real Estate industry. Mark has run his own Architectural Firm, Construction Company, Real Estate Development Company, has managed institutional real estate portfolios on a national basis, all with tremendous success in negotiating and closing Real Estate transactions. Mark now brings all of that experience to franchisees, helping find and select great franchise locations and guiding franchisees thr

We are meeting with Nick Molina, CEO of VaporFi.  VaporFi is a leader in the E-Cigarette and Vapor industry is on a mission to change the way you smoke. VaporFi retail Stores cater to a wide range of vape enthusiasts, from those curious about ditching tobacco to those advanced techy vapers who are the true hobbyists. VaporFi’s exclusive, proprietary and branded product line has taken the world by storm. Their E-Cig products provide all the pleasures of traditional smoking without the bad breath, stinky clothes, tremendous cost, and harmful effects of tobacco. 

One of Marty McDermott’s favorite movies is Forrest Gump.  So when we heard Scott Barnett, author of Gumption: Taking Bubba Gump from Movie to Restaurant completed his book; we knew we had to have him on the show. Scott Barnett’s restaurant knowledge began when he was a teenager parking attendant in a popular steakhouse in Palm Desert, California. Taking the hard road, he performed every job there was to do in the business as he cooked, served, and bartended his way through college and crashed into the restaurant industry in his rebellious and irreverent way. Learning the ropes of the corporate world, he nurtured a belief that things in the restaurant business could be done differently. After taking the reins of a failing company, he and his team saved it and then began searching for something to grow. Thus began the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant concept. Fighting bad economies, old notions of how to do business, preconceived opinions, some Wall Street investors and his own misgivings, he and his group

We are meeting with Andrew Gruel, CEO/Founder, Slapfish Restaurant Group, LLC. Slapfish has made healthy, chef-driven seafood approachable & affordable for the masses, with signature items that include the 'lobsticle', baja mahi sandwich and house-made, original dipping sauces. Slapfish is a chef-driven and sustainable American seafood concept, served up in a fresh fast casual atmosphere. Slapfish was recently named on FastCasual's list of the industry's Top 100 Movers & Shakers.

We are meeting with Maureen Recalde, winner of the Voice of McDonald's.  Voice of McDonald's is the largest global singing competition of its kind, open to the 1.8 million McDonald's restaurant employees around the world. More than 2,500 employees entered the inaugural competition, which kicked off in 2005. In 2007, more than 3,600 singers entered Voice of McDonald's II; in 2009, more than 10,000 employees entered Voice of McDonald's III; and in 2011 more than 20,000 employees entered Voice of McDonald's IV.  Maureen discusses her experience as the winner of the Voice and McDonald's and shares her story of her mom who has worked with McDonald's for over 40 years and is now an owner-operator of two McDonald's. McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer and franchise with more than 33,000 locations serving approximately 64 million customers in 119 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women. In part 2, we pl

This morning we are going to be discussing franchising with Hossein Kasmai, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Franchise Creator.  Mr. Kasmai founded many franchise concepts of his own including Guard-A-Kid. Guard-A-Kid founded in 2005, quickly became the industry leader and a very successful franchise in the field of Children and family safety.  Mr. Kasmai gives his advice to prospective franchisors and franchisees.  Franchise Creator provides a one stop approach to franchise development.  In part 2, we will hear a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.  

We are meeting with Matt Bailey, vice president of operations for "The Original" Kono Pizza.  The "Original" Kono rocked the country when it introduced pizza cones in the United States, solving the problem of eating a slice without a gooey, drippy mess. The cones, with their cutting-edge 3D crust, feature the first and only seamless bread product that can be held and eaten in one hand without spilling or dripping any of the grease or sauce. The cones are customized with whatever ingredients you desire before they're baked in the brand's proprietary pizza oven.

We are meeting with Dennis Schooley of the Schooley Mitchel franchise opportunity.  Schooley Mitchell has been featured by Entrepreneur and Inc. magazines, and has been honored with a Canadian Franchise Association Gold Frankie Award for their innovative marketing campaigns. Schooley Mitchell was also named to Inc.com's list of the 5000 fastest-growing companies in America for 2014. Schooley Mitchell is  franchised telecom and merchant services consulting firm with offices across North America. They offer a unique, contingency-based service focused on reducing our clients' telecom and merchant services spend and recovering billing errors. They are objective of all vendors and their clients incur no out-of-pocket expenses.

Dr. John P. Hayes and 12 Amazing Franchise Opportunities for 2015 This year, Dr. John P. Hayes came out with a new e-book “12 Amazing Franchise Opportunities for 2015”  We are going to play our interview with Dr. John P. Hayes and you will hear some clips of some franchises that made the list.  You can purchase the book directly through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OHO8K16/?tag=hotobuafr-20 Don’t miss this special two hour edition show!