In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser and Dr. Isabel Botero joined by Bonny and Marcus Shelton, who share their incredible journey as multi-generational KFC franchisees. The Sheltons recount the inspiring history of Bacon Enterprises, Inc., starting with Bonnie's father in the 1960s, through their significant contributions to the KFC community, and culminating in the successful exit from their family business. They discuss the keys to their success, including family unity, clear communication, and strong ethical values. The Sheltons also share their strategies for managing a family-owned business, the importance of transparent operating agreements, and their comprehensive approach to ensuring the well-being of their employees during the sale. This episode provides valuable insights into maintaining family harmony while achieving business success.

Time Topic

00:00 Introduction and Co-Host Welcome

00:20 Meet the Shelton Family: Multi-Generational KFC Franchisees

01:27 Bonnie's Story: The Early Days of Bacon Enterprises

04:10 A Family Business: Challenges and Triumphs

07:14 Marcus's Journey: From Childhood Memories to Business Leader

12:10 The Next Generation: Roles of the Shelton Daughters

15:27 Growth and Leadership: Expanding the Franchise

18:25 Working Together: Family Dynamics in Business

22:46 Balancing Family and Business

23:12 Leadership and Conflict Resolution

27:35 Values and Principles in Family Business

28:34 Decision to Sell the Business

31:20 Navigating the Sale Process

37:36 Celebrating and Reflecting on Success

40:03 Advice for Family Businesses

42:58 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Jamie Krasnov, CEO of Apex Leadership Company, about his journey from finance to philanthropy-driven entrepreneurship. Krasnov discusses his background in private equity, his passion for franchising, and the innovative fundraising solutions provided by Apex Leadership. Apex conducts fun runs and other events at schools to raise funds significantly while teaching leadership, fitness, and wellness. Krasnov explains the franchise model, emphasizing its low entry cost and the support provided to franchisees. Apex aims to serve thousands of schools, driven by a mission to build future leaders and support underprivileged communities.

Jamie Krasnov is a dedicated business leader who currently holds the position of CEO at Apex Leadership Company. In this role, Krasnov has been instrumental in steering the company's strategy and execution to increase value to the Apex franchisees and Apex schools across the nation. His determination to elevate the company’s led to the brand seeing an outstanding 200% revenue increase since he took stepped into the role as CEO in 2021. Before his tenure at Apex, Krasnov founded Heritage Operating Partners, a private equity firm supported by other operators concentrated on fast-growing franchisors. Prior to Heritage, Krasnov served in various investing roles across private equity, public equity, and investment banking for a decade. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas. Krasnov resides in Houston, Texas, where he enjoys spending time with family and his two dogs.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser has a speaks with Erika Wasser,

co-founder and CEO of Prospr, a groundbreaking app designed to streamline communication, shift management, and culture building in multi-unit operations. They delve into the challenges of effective communication within franchises, especially with hourly team members. Wasser shares her journey from TV hosting to entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting the creation of Prospr. The discussion covers the app's features, such as scheduling, accountability measures, and an engaging bulletin system, emphasizing its significant ROI and impact on employee retention. Wasser also touches on the importance of adapting communication methods to modern needs and her vision for the future of Prospr.

Time Topic

00:00 Introduction and Episode Teaser

01:23 Meet Erica Wasser: Entrepreneurial Journey

06:00 The Birth of Prosper at Work

07:16 How Prosper at Work Enhances Communication

10:33 Innovative Features of Prosper at Work

12:42 Building a Positive Work Culture

15:47 Adapting to Modern Learning Styles

16:44 Challenges in Workforce Engagement

17:49 Customizing Prosper for Brands

18:22 Franchisor vs Franchisee Engagement

19:02 Addressing Franchisee Pain Points

22:04 The Importance of Communication and Culture

27:37 Future Innovations for Prosper

28:58 Reflections and Closing Thoughts