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PODCAST

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review is the trusted, independent source for franchise research. Join FBR President and COO Michelle Rowan as she demystifies the franchise buying process. From funding to franchisee satisfaction, she covers everything you need to know about buying and running a successful franchise. Michelle’s not going it alone, either. With 20 years in market research, Franchise Business Review has insights from hundreds of thousands of franchise owners to uncover the highest-rated brands.

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

46:10

Interview with Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/10/05

Send us Fan MailHosts: Allison Dudas & Mariah Morgan, Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Aisha "Pinky" Cole Hayes, Founder & CEO of Slutty VeganPinky Cole has lived the full arc of restaurant entrepreneurship, from lines down the block and a $33 million investment to a restructuring that left her without her company for 43 days. She joins Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan to share how she bought Slutty Vegan back and rebuilt it as a franchise system. She also speaks candidly about the

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25:41

Top 10 Food & Beverage Franchises of 2026

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/09/28

Send us Fan MailHosts: Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan, Franchise Business ReviewCoffee, chicken, pizza, and ice cream all made the cut. In this episode, Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan reveal FBR's Top 25 Food & Beverage Franchises of 2026, ranked by more than 11,000 real franchisees across 52 brands. They dig into the data behind the rankings, what franchisees love, where brands are falling short, and what income actually looks like in this space, before counting down to this year's

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41:06

From Employee to Owner: Tax Moves That Set...

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/09/21

Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President, Franchise Business Review Guest: Paul Kuskowski, IRS Enrolled Agent and Founder of Cobalt Tax Services Making the leap from employee to franchise owner means more than swapping a paycheck for a P&L — it means rethinking how you find business, manage cash flow, and structure your company from day one. In this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan sits down with Paul Kluskowski, an IRS enrolled agent and founder of Cobalt Tax ...

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43:06

50 Franchises That Survive Any Economy

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/09/14

Send us Fan MailWhich Franchises Can Weather a Downturn? FBR's 2026 Recession-Resistant ListWith economic uncertainty on everyone's mind, Michelle Rowan sits down with Allison Dudas to unpack Franchise Business Review's 2026 list of the Top 50 Recession-Resistant Franchises. Built from survey data on nearly 29,000 franchisees across 330 brands, the list highlights companies positioned to hold steady — or even grow — when consumers start tightening their budgets. Michelle and Allison

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47:40

Owning a YogaSix Franchise: A Married Couple's...

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/09/07

Send us Fan MailHost: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuests; Toni King and Audrey Ryder, Multi-Unit Franchisees from YogaSixTwo elite athletes. One shared love of yoga. Seven studios and counting. On this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan talks with Audrey Ryder and Toni King about trading a rowing career and a black belt in Taekwondo for life as YogaSix franchise owners.They walk through how they picked YogaSix over other franchise options, the due

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49:17

Is the American Franchise Act Good For Franchisees?

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/08/31

Send us Fan Mail Michelle is joined by multi-unit Taco John's franchisee Tamra Kennedy to discuss whether the American Franchise Act is good for franchisees. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTube Summary This episode explores the American Franchise Act and why it matters for franchisees, franchisors, and anyone considering franchise ownership. Tam Kennedy shares her decades of experience in franchising, offering clear insight into the joint employer debate, the impor...

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77:27

Kona Ice Founder Tony Lamb: Building a Franchise Empire

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/08/24

Send us Fan Mail From a scrappy startup to the top of Franchise Business Review's satisfaction rankings for over a decade, Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb has cracked the code on franchising. He joins Franchise Business Review's founder Eric Stites to break down the real numbers behind mobile franchising and why he still obsesses over franchisee happiness. You won't want to miss this founder-to-founder conversation. Resources The Top 200 Franchises of 2026Kona Ice's Franchisee Satisfaction ReportT...

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38:38

The Most Innovative Franchise Brands of 2026

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/08/17

Send us Fan MailHost: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Allison Dudas, Senior Marketing Manager of Franchise Business ReviewWhat makes a franchise truly innovative, and how can you tell before you invest? Michelle and Allison Dudas break down FBR's 50 Most Innovative Franchises of 2026 and reveal the signals that separate forward-thinking brands from the rest. They unpack the data behind the list, including why 96% of franchisees would recommend their brand, why

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38:52

REPLAY: What Makes A Good Franchisee?

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/07/27

Send us Fan MailIn this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Paul Pickett delve into the essential traits that define a successful franchisee. Drawing from decades of experience, Paul shares his expertise on the importance of aligning with a brand’s culture, mission, and values. They discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence, team-building, and a growth mindset in achieving long-term success. Tune in to discover how focusing on customer relationships and community engagement can lead to

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30:43

REPLAY: How to Spot a Recession-Resistant Franchise

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/07/13

Send us Fan MailHost: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled BrandsThinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the questions candidates should ask during due diligence, and how strong franchisors

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35:06

The $112 Billion Industry Nobody's Talking About

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/06/29

Send us Fan MailMost franchise opportunities promise stability — but few are as resilient and rewarding as the commercial cleaning sector. In this episode, Allison Dudas dives into the booming world of cleaning and maintenance, revealing how this essential industry is not only recession-resistant but also a hidden goldmine for entrepreneurs willing to manage people, build relationships, and implement proven systems. Learn why the janitorial sector is projected to hit $112 billion by 2026, and how

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30:41

What Are The Most Profitable Franchises of 2026?

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/06/22

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we announce our Most Profitable Franchises of 2026. We name 50 franchise brands in this list whose franchisees report higher earnings than the average. No brand can pay to be on this list! They are on it because of their high franchisee satisfaction scores thanks to FBR's market research. This episode breaks down the characteristics of the most profitable brands of the year and what you should pay attention to when doing your franchise buying

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41:46

What Is It Like to Be A Woman In Franchising?

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/06/15

Send us Fan MailHost: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBRGuest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window CleaningThis episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill Kesler, a franchisee from Fish Window Cleaning, as the guest. They discuss the increasing role of women in franchising, highlighting that women now own about a third of all franchises. Jill shares her journey from a career in sales and marketing to owning a

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38:06

What's It Like to Own a Retail Franchise

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/06/08

Send us Fan MailJason Sharp’s journey from corporate healthcare to owning a pool supply franchise in Alabama reveals the real secret to success: building a community-focused team and letting your leadership shine behind the scenes. Discover how Jason’s strategic approach and operational systems turned a stagnant business into a thriving enterprise, even amidst COVID chaos.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to identify and seize low-hanging fruit during a business acquisitionThe importance of having a

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42:10

The Hidden Factor Behind Franchise Success: Culture

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/06/01

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Michelle and Allison dive into the importance of franchise culture. They discuss how a strong culture can significantly impact franchisee satisfaction and business success. The episode highlights the top franchises known for their positive culture, emphasizing that culture is not just about corporate strategy but also about fostering supportive relationships among franchisees. They explore how culture influences franchisee experiences, retention, and ov...

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31:55

REPLAY: How to Fund Your Franchise

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/05/25

Send us Fan MailIn this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Ali Kraus delve into the diverse world of franchise funding options. From traditional bank loans to innovative rollover strategies, they explore how aspiring franchisees can navigate financial challenges with confidence. Ali shares her expertise from Benetrends, highlighting the importance of understanding your financial landscape and the benefits of working with a funding partner. Whether you’re considering using retirement savings or

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51:38

5 Marketing Questions to Ask Before Buying a Franchise

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/05/18

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan and Katherine LeBlanc discuss essential marketing questions to consider when evaluating franchise opportunities. Katherine, with over 20 years of marketing experience, shares insights into the complexities of marketing within franchising. They explore the importance of understanding brand funds, the role of marketing in franchise success, and the need for transparency and collaboration between franchisors and

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63:48

Red Flags in Your Franchise Agreement: What Every...

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/05/11

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of "From A to Franchisee," the hosts delve into the often-overlooked aspects of franchise agreements that can significantly impact buyers. Joined by Megan Center, a seasoned franchise attorney, they explore the critical differences between the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement itself. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding territory rights, renewal terms, and potential red flags in agreements. Megan shares

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42:41

Senior Care Is Booming. What This Industry Looks Like...

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/05/04

Send us Fan MailMost franchisees in senior care are driven by a deep sense of purpose, but Zubin Kapadia’s journey reveals what it truly takes to succeed in this fast-growing, emotionally rewarding industry. When he transitioned from law and international healthcare ventures to owning a Right at Home franchise, he discovered that passion, strategic support, and community presence are the secret ingredients to thriving in in-home senior care — a sector valued at over $156 billion annually in the

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44:55

Your Franchisor Got Bought by Private Equity — Now What?

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter... ·

2026/04/27

Send us Fan MailHost: Michelle Rowan, Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Susan Black-Beth, Auspicious OwlIn this episode of "From A to Franchisee," hosts Michelle Rowan and Susan Black-Beth explore the impact of private equity on franchising. They discuss how private equity acquisitions can change priorities, timelines, and relationships within franchise systems. Susan, founder of Auspicious Owl Group, shares her extensive experience in the industry, emphasizing the importance of aligning

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59 results

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