Franchise Interviews

We are meeting with Jeff Schwietert of the Schwietert’s Cone and Candy franchise opportunity.  Schwietert’s   is a family run, candy and ice cream franchise. With three locations along the Oregon coast they are eager to begin branching out. Jeff Schwietert, son of the founders took it upon himself to drop out of college in order to grow the family business and bring the delectable treats of Schwieter’s cones and candies to the Portland area.

This October, Franchise Interviews is featuring “Great Women Leaders in Franchising” month.  We are first meeting with Susan Black-Beth.  Susan is the Chief Operating Officer of Super Wash, Inc., the nation’s largest self-serve car wash franchisor, which was founded by my parents.  Prior to assuming the role of COO, Susan served as Senior Vice President and Director of Franchising from the inception of the Super Wash franchise program in November, 2000.  When Susan was 19 years old she bought her first Super Wash(r) car wash with my sister.  Susan was featured in the January 2011 issue of Franchise Times as one of the “20 to Watch” in 2011; received the IFA’s prestigious Bonny LeVine Award for mentoring and promoting women in franchising in 2012; and am the proud recipient of the 2013 Crystal Compass given by the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee celebrating leadership in franchising, company and/or community. Next, we are meeting with Ann Connor of AdviCoach. Ann recently received a Crystal Award from WEBB

This month Franchise Interviews is celebrating Great Women Leaders in franchising.  Today's interview is with Melanie Bergeron.  Melanie officially joined the family business in 1989 when she was awarded the first TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise in Atlanta, Ga. Bergeron also maintained a career in pharmaceutical sales while operating the franchise because all profits from the franchise were being reinvested into the family business. At the request of her mother, Founder Mary Ellen Sheets, Bergeron came to work at the home office in Lansing, MI in the 1990s. In 1994, Bergeron was named president of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. In 2002, she became chief operating officer and in January 2007, she took over as CEO. She became chair of the board in 2009.  

This October, Franchise Interviews is featuring "Great Women Leaders in Franchising" month. Today you are going to hear our interview with Jo Kirchner, president and chief executive officer of Primrose Schools, leads more than two hundred fifty schools nationwide. Her lifelong mission is to deliver a nurturing environment and a high-quality early learning foundation to help children become confident adults who love who they are and what they do. Jo joined Primrose in 1990 as vice president of the company and became president and CEO in 1999. Under her leadership, Primrose has grown from four schools in Atlanta to several hundred schools nationwide today.

Over the last eight years, Franchise Interviews weekly radio show has interviewed some amazing leaders in the world of franchising.  This October, Franchise Interviews is featuring “Great Women Leaders in Franchising” month. Today’s Great Women Leaders in Franchising is with Hala Moddelmog.  Hala Moddelmog served as president of the Arby’s franchise system.  Arby’s has approximately 3,500 units and annual system-wide sales of approximately $3 billion. Under Hala’s leadership, Arby's had 12 repeated quarters of comparable store sales increases and increased EBITDA by 80 percent from 2011 to 2012. Her team created new brand positioning, launched new product platforms and new advertising campaigns and redesigned the logo. In 2006, she was chosen as president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s biggest grassroots organization working to eliminate breast cancer through teaching, knowledge, public policy and science throughout the globe. While she was president, Komen received its first-ever 4-Star

Over the last eight years, Franchise Interviews weekly radio show has interviewed some amazing leaders in the world of franchising. This October, Franchise Interviews is featuring "Great Women Leaders in Franchising" month. Each week, interviews will be featured with Catherine Monson (CEO of FastSigns), Hala Moddelmog (President of Metro Atlanta Chamber, served as President of Arby's, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure), Melanie Bergeron (Chair of Two Men and A Truck), Jo Kirchner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Primrose Schools, Ann Connor (AdviCoach, Crystal Award winner from Women Empowered By Business -WEBB), and Susan Black-Beth, Chief Operating Officer of Super Wash. The shows will discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, motivation, women in business and of course franchising. October 2, 2014 Catherine Monson, CEO of Fastsigns International, is no stranger to hard work and long hours on the job. She started working in her family's pre-school business. She has a strong background in franchising a

We have a great show  today - We are meeting  with Mark Dawson, CEO and President of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain™ was launched in 2014 by a team with decades of plumbing franchise industry experience. It is a proud member of Home Brands Group™, which manages popular franchise companies that date back to 1979, including the Re-Bath® full bathroom remodeling brand. While bluefrog Plumbing + Drain™ is the newest national plumbing company, we've already made a splash, mixing proven systems and years of experience with new innovation and exceptional territory availabilit

We are meeting with Leonard Fisher, President and owner of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt. Since 1945 Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt is made fresh every day on the premises. We use products, equipment, methods and recipes exclusive only to Handel's. Each batch is made in freezers specifically designed to create Handel's distinctively smooth and creamy texture. What made this interview a bit different was our President Marty McDermott got to sample a half of a dozen different flavors. Learn more by listening to this fantastic interview.

We are meeting with Bill Swanson, CEO of Cartridge World. Cartridge World background: •             Cartridge World is the world’s leading retailer and franchisor specializing in selling brand name printers, high-quality ink and toner cartridges, printing supplies and service for business and domestic customers. •             The company pioneered an industry 20 years ago, and is still the global franchise leader with 1,400 stores in 50 countries. •             This year, Cartridge World will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the U.S. •             Cartridge World was named #90 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. •             While Staples and Office Max/Depot have announced plans to close 625 stores, Cartridge World is looking to fill that need in communities across the country. Ex-big box store managers and B2B sales peoples are ideal franchisee candidates for the company.   In Part 2, we have a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.  Franchise Interviews meets with J

We are meeting  Matt Kelton, CEO of Showhomes.  Founded in 1986, Showhomes has helped Realtors® and homeowners sell more than 25,000 residential properties worth more than $8.5 billion, by transforming high-end vacant houses into fully-furnished, inviting, valued Showhomes. Currently serving prominent communities in 18 states, Showhomes is a rapidly expanding franchise system with nearly 60 offices nationwide. Boasting the expertise of long-time real estate and interior design professionals, Showhomes is a one-stop-shop for home staging, home redesign, “One-Day Makeover’s” for currently occupied homes and its proprietary Home Manager program – a proven model to get upscale vacant homes off the market, faster. Every major national media outlet in the U.S. has praised the work of Showhomes, the company’s work has also been featured on Oprah, HGTV and the Travel Channel.

An annual Chicago event coming up at the end of August (August 25 to August 27) is the answer that many franchisors are looking for.  Three years ago, a business-powerhouse saw a problem and did something about it by creating the Franchise Capital Exchange (FCX). Franchise Capital Exchange is the only event of its kindwhere franchisors present their business opportunities to potential investors in an effort to secure capital to fuel their future.   This event is a one-stop-shop where brands and capital partners come together and can pitch themselves to multiple parties. The event allows for cost and time efficiencies as well as encourages networking and learning opportunities. The brain behind this revolutionary idea is that of Susan Black-Beth, Chief Operating Officer for Super Wash, Inc., who was literally born into the business world.  Susan comes from a family of entrepreneurs and grew up in a family business and started working when she was 4 years old. Susan’s Background: Susan bought her first bus

We are meeting with with Shannon "The Cannon" Hudson, Founder of 9Round.  9Round fitness is a 30 minute full body kickboxing program. Their workouts change every day and our circuit training model allows members to come in any time of day and start their workout. A certified 9Round Trainer is with the trainer each and every workout to motivate and encourage. Their business model is small. Each location is between 1000 and 1500 square feet and can be run with one to four employees.

We are meeting with with Matt Barker, the cofounder of the Totally Nutz franchise. Founded in 1992 and franchising since May 2014, Totally Nutz’ has attracted thousands of customers with its delectable flavors and varieties of cinnamon glazed nuts, including almonds, pecans and cashews Both Yvette and her husband, Matt, were marketing executives who drew tired of the rat race and started looking for their “next big thing.” That light bulb moment came as they recalled all the conventions they used to attend and the thousands of people walking around each show with some kind of handout. Under the name Barker’s Olde Fashioned Almonds, Matt and Yvette started roasting Cinnamon Glazed Almonds in 1990 and began selling their product at various festivals and fairs. Over the years, their customers would tell how much they enjoyed the product and wished more variety would be offered. Matt and Yvette started experimenting and came up with several delectable flavors and varieties.

 A Thousand Bucks to Become a Franchise Owner- Have your heard of crowdfunding?  It is possible through crowdfunding to own part of a franchise for $1,000.  We are meeting with Mandy Calara, the CEO and Founder at  CrowdFranchise, Forever Brands, and Forever Yogurt.  Founded in November 2013, CrowdFranchise is a crowdfunding platform full of savvy community investors interested in owning a piece of a brand in their local community. As opposed to traditional crowdfunding sites, CrowdFranchise will award franchises to the investors, thus providing them with active equity versus just donations. CrowdFranchise plans to have 1,000 units up for crowdfunding by the end of 2014.

We are meeting John Blair, Director of Marketing for Frannet. FranNet is North America's most respected leader in matching individuals with franchise opportunities. Based in Louisville, Ky., FranNet has more than 100 consultants across North America and Europe who use a proprietary profiling and consultative process to determine a business model unique to each client's goals, skill sets and interests, and has matched thousands of entrepreneurs to rewarding small business opportunities. FranNet has been recognized by INC. magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in America for the last four years.

We are meeting with franchise veteran and expert Chris Simnick. Chris Simnick is Founder ofFranchiseTeacher.com which is part of the Synergy Franchise Group Network. Chris is also President and Founder of Synergy Franchise Development, Inc, and is Managing Member and Founder of Synergy Franchise Group, LLC; a Florida based Limited Liability Company. Their "Teach! Coach! Consult! Advise!" is more than a phrase; it is at the heart of their core values. FranchiseTeacher.com along with Synergy Franchise Group, LLC specializes in the creation and implementation of key strategies and business plans for concepts looking to enter franchising, franchise systems that are getting ready to launch as well as young and mature systems looking to "take the next step" in the growth of their systems. Chris has over 30 years of business and franchise experience, as an independent business owner, franchisee and franchisor. His experience is at many levels and he has held numerous positions. Chris' people & sales skills alo

We are meeting with Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café... What began as a single location on a beach in Destin, Florida has grown to be a lifestyle brand for people looking for healthy alternatives to fast food. Every day we serve up great-tasting, nutritious food and smoothies at more than 350+ locations in the U.S., with more in development.   Find out more by listening to the show!

This week (June 19 to June 21) is the yearly International Franchise Expo in Manhattan at the legendary Jacob Javits Center. Numerous franchise experts refer to this event as the Super Bowl of franchising. Today you will hear several interviews from experts in franchising on attending the shows and get 7 tips.  First you will hear our interview with Tom Portesy, president of MFV Expositions --- producers of franchise events worldwide.  Tom will talk about what people can expect from these shows and what can be gained in attending. Next your will hear our interview with the founder of FranchiseWorks.com 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 are meeting with World Pizza Champion Glenn Cybulski, Co-Founder of Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria.Persona Pizzeria offers a delicious and truly authentic Neapolitan Pizza at a great value without the long wait. The pizza industry, once dominated by delivery and take out concepts, is now in the midst of reinventing itself to fit into the fast casual mold. And while there are a number of pizzerias jumping on the fast casual trend, none is more innovative than Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria, a create-your-own, hand crafted authentic Neapolitan pizzeria and only concept of its kind in the country with an Italian trained Pizzaiolo. Having opened its first location in Santa Barbara, California in February 2013, Persona has since become the #1 pizzeria in the region and recently announced plans to expand its national footprint with a one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity. We follow segment 1 up with clips from of our interview on CBS Radio and with the franchise king Joel Libava.    

We are meeting with Ron Green, CEO of Another Broken Egg Café. Another Broken Egg Café is a full-service breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant. Currently, they just launched their National Egg Month Giveaway and are quickly expanding. In the first quarter alone they opened 9 new locations and are targeting more areas for growth. In part 2, we discuss the expression, people don't buy drills because they need drills and apply it to franchising.  Listen to the show to learn more.