Since 1989, Anago has been making the dream of business ownership a reality. As CEO & President, Adam is deeply passionate about fostering entrepreneurship and the financial freedom that comes with it. He firmly believe that entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of economic progress. At Anago, they provide aspiring business owners with turnkey solutions, enabling them to confidently navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Fueled by over 30 years of expertise, Anago is disrupting the commercial cleaning industry. Their business is about helping entrepreneurs create their own businesses to provide jobs while building ties in their communities. Offering the possibility of financial and time freedom is what they're all about. Witnessing families reach that success through their franchise business is Adam's ultimate reward.

Brian Shunia is the President and Co-Founder of The Wing Snob™ brand and as such, he is dedicated to serving the very best, fresh, never frozen, mouthwatering, hormone-free chicken wings anywhere, topped by a variety of delectable signature sauces and flavorful dry rubs.  Wing Snob™ operates as a modern, quick-service, fast casual style restaurant with some 50 units open and operating, or under construction, with many more under commitment and he’s here to tell us all about it.       You put a lot at rish when you self-identify as a SNOB.  You literally have to be the best veresion of yourself at all times, to even earn the privilege.

As Vice President of Franchise Development at Right at Home, Jen Chaney is responsible for the company's growth and development by awarding incredible franchise opportunities to interested and eligible candidates.  Jen has direct oversight of new, prospective franchisees, as well as growth by expansion of existing franchisees. Jen is a strategic thought leader, but also oversees franchise legal documentation, lead generation, department budget & forecasting, as well as mergers & acquisitions, leading a team of outstanding sales and development professionals. Being a caregiver to her own mother in the last stages of her life, set Jen on a personal mission to help others become entrepreneurs in a business that is rewarding in so many ways.

Gary Prenevost, has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Franchise Association for some 15 years, and has been a FranNet Rock Star for some 21 years.  Now, he adds the titlea of best-selling author and sought-after Platform Speaker to his resume, as his recently released book the Unstoppable Franchisee, soars on USA Today’s List of Top 10 Best Sellers.  This week Gary is right here, to tell us all about it!

RICKY KALMON is a growth mindset expert, a motivational speaker and are you ready for this, a celebrity hypnotist.  Ricky delivers high-energy and mindset motivational keynote programs and corporate entertainment. His programs are inspirational and offer compelling, applicable tools, that anyone can use for both their personal and professional development. Ricky Kalmon reveals how our mindset can be the greatest tool in achieving new heights, reducing stress, and increasing productivity and potential.  He has made numerous special guest appearances on several leading cable networks, including ESPN, HLN, Disney, Hallmark and Fox.  Ricky has worked his magic for businesses large and small, for franchisors and franchisees at their annual conventions and for teams of pro athletes, the like of the NY Yankees and Cincinnati Bengals.  This week, the author of Leverage Your Mindset-Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Amplify Your Life, talks with us. 

This week on Franchise Today, we delve into the world of business acceleration and artificial intelligence (AI) in franchising, with our esteemed guest, Ford Saeks. An acclaimed business growth accelerator and early AI adapter, Ford brings refreshing insights to the table, shedding light on how AI is revolutionizing workflows across industries.   Featuring expert inputs on implementing AI in business, avoid common mistakes with AI, and crafting frictionless user experiences, this episode serves as a valuable resource for all franchisors, franchisees, and multi-unit owners. Ford's exceptional understanding of customer touchpoints adds authenticity and transparency to any business model for sustainable growth and sensible franchising. Additionally, our conversation navigates through the shifting dynamics and emerging trends in the franchise world, including the rise of multi-unit operators and impact of socio-economic changes. Ford's emphasis on mindset, strategies and tactics in the business journey shares the essentials for success in the franchising world. Join us in this insightful dialogue and learn about utilizing AI for a smoother customer journey and leveraging changes for your business's advantage. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an industry veteran, this episode is a must-listen!

John Smolen, Senior Vice President of Global Distribution Sales at Atmosphere TV, joins us today to discuss the streaming platform’s benefits for franchises and businesses, like restaurants, bars, grills, taverns, and gyms.Atmosphere TV is known for replacing daytime TV in public spaces with engaging short-form content across 40+ channels and is recognized for its rapid growth and impact on customer engagement and incresed unit-level sales.  Smolen, with a background transitioning from psychology to sales, outlines Atmosphere’s ad-supported revenue model that provides free, family-friendly programming, along with marketing tools enabling franchisors and franchisees, to manage content across various locations. The service’s ability to target specific audiences based on venue type enhances its value as an advertising platform, offering flexibility and affordability with no minimum investment constraints. The episode also touches upon the broader digital landscape, noting the scrutiny of foreign-owned social media platforms like TikTok by bi-partisan entities, underlining the importance of oversight in the digital content sphere.

In September, 2019, Ace Hardware successfully expanded its business by acquiring Handyman Matters and rebranding it as Ace Handyman Services, with a refreshed business strategy focused on expanding home improvement services. Under the leadership of Andy Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and CEO of the rebranded entity, Ace Handyman Services has capitalized on the surge in home services since the pandemic and increased sales, in large part, due to the rebranding and commitment by Ace, of new resources.  Since then, the company has experienced significant growth in franchise territories too and is ambitiously aiming to extend its reach to 1,000 territories over the next few years, while prioritizing responsible and sustainable expansion through well-considered franchising practices. Colette Bell, co-founder of Handyman Matters and Vice President of Franchising for Ace Handyman Services Franchising, is here to tell us all about it. 

John Francis, a franchise expert, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience, shares his deep understanding of the franchising world. Born into a franchise family, he was a franchisee and franchisor multiple times. His parents pioneered the franchise model in the hair salon industry, creating a global empire. John's diverse background includes working in various franchise brands, consulting, and serving on boards. He talks about his journey in franchising, from working in his family’s business to consulting and advising franchise brands. John also discusses his involvement with Zor Forum, a mastermind group for franchisors, and reflects on the industry's future, emphasizing that franchising remains a successful model when executed properly. Additionally, he highlights his personal life, celebrating 25 years of marriage and his two daughters, and introduces Fathers Eve, a holiday he created for dads. John is open for contact and collaboration, offering his wealth of experience to help others in the franchising field.       John Francis, a franchise expert, advisor, and speaker with over 30 years of experience, shares his deep understanding of the franchising world. Born into a franchise family, he was a franchisee and franchisor multiple times. His parents pioneered the franchise model in the hair salon industry, creating a global empire. John's diverse background includes working in various franchise brands, consulting, and serving on boards. He talks about his journey in franchising, from working in his family’s business to consulting and advising franchise brands. John also discusses his involvement with Zor Forum, a mastermind group for franchisors, and reflects on the industry's future, emphasizing that franchising remains a successful model when executed properly.     

This week Alia Alston, founder of Icebox Cryotherapy Studios, shares her personal journey and business insights on Franchise Today. A car accident and childbirth complications led her to discover the pain-relieving benefits of cryotherapy, prompting her to open the first retail cryotherapy studio in the United States. Despite her lack of experience in owning a retail store, her background in product development, retail marketing, and real estate, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, drove her to pursue this venture. Fast forward the tape and her wildly successful first studio in ATL, has beocme the first of 20, as she is successfully franchising the brand and changing lives for both clients and franchisees, as the business successfully scales.  .  .   . Initially targeting professional athletes in Atlanta, Icebox quickly attracted a broader clientele seeking natural anti-inflammatory solutions and chronic pain relief. Alia’s vision for Icebox was to create a scalable and simple model for services that could be easily replicated by franchisees, inspired by the success of brands like SoulCycle. Despite initial hesitations, she decided to franchise Icebox, which proved successful even through the challenges posed by the 2020 pandemic, thanks to the dedication of franchisees and a focus on strategic growth. In running the franchise, Alia emphasizes the importance of passionate franchisees who are also disciplined, meticulous in client experiences, and involved in daily operations. The discussion extends to the critical role of the right team management and the excitement surrounding the partnership with Impact Brands for scaling the business. Finally, Alia' reflects on her drive to balance work and family life, aspiring to be a role model for working moms and leave a legacy for her children.

Last week in Phoenix, I invited attendees from various facets of the franchising community to share the impact IFA has had on their careers. Collectively, I am calling this the Many Voices of IFA and presenting it as this week's episode of Franchise Today.  Seasoned industry professionals like Frank Fiume, Nick Friedman, Rocco Fiorentino, and others spoke to the value of the relationships, mentorship, community, and access that IFA facilitates within the industry. Key figures such as Omar Soliman, John Francis, Terry Braun, Dave McDougall, Scott Perry, and Ron Bender emphasized the organization’s role in providing educational resources, protecting the franchise model, and supporting “smart growth,” including the encouragement of veteran participation through the IFA’s Vet Fran program. The significance of the IFA was further underscored by contributions from Ralph Yarusso, who expressed his passion for giving back after 20 years of involvement, and Josh Wall, who noted the importance of learning from industry leaders’ mistakes. Mike Kelly valued the networking opportunities and client connections made possible by the IFA, while newcomer Michael Friedman, son of yours truly, brings his decade of software sales experience with him, into the FRM business. Enthusiasm for the IFA was also echoed by Ron Feldman, Aslam Khan, David Kurkjian and Marty Welch, who collectively praised the association for its role in fostering knowledge exchange, support, and insight-sharing among franchising professionals. The IFA was celebrated as a platform that not only enables connections with seasoned experts but also welcomes voices from emerging franchise businesses.