DESCRIPTION:
John Hayes, the host of the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, interviews Hao Lam, a successful franchisor with a riveting tale of survival and entrepreneurship. Lam, a Vietnam escapee, narrates his remarkable transition from being a refugee to a prosperous franchisor. He also talks about his book, 'From Bad to Worse to Best in Class,' and how his past experiences influence his dedication to education and franchising. Lam shares his struggles, including near-death starvation at sea and overcoming illiteracy, and his journey of rebuilding his life in North America. He provides insight into the development of his educational franchise, Best in Class, from its initial challenges to its current operational success. Lam stresses the significance of relationships, continuous support, and adherence to a system in franchising. He also discusses his other entrepreneurial ventures beyond education and the importance of remaining focused on one's primary passion. The discussion highlights the human aspect and commitment essential for a successful franchise operation.

- With Hao Lam.


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:35 Hal Lam's Harrowing Escape from Vietnam
03:15 Life in the Philippine Refugee Camp
07:07 Journey to North America
08:47 Starting a New Life in Seattle
10:50 The Birth of an Education Franchise
11:27 Challenges and Successes in Franchising
17:02 Building Strong Franchise Relationships
23:01 Resolving Human Issues in Franchising
23:48 Selecting the Right Franchisees
26:52 Learning from Past Failures
28:38 The Journey of a Franchisor
30:33 Focusing on Education
36:21 The Value of Franchising
45:54 Marketing Strategies for Franchisees
47:58 Future Franchising Opportunities
49:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts



LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
John and Mark Schnurman, author of 'The Perfect Franchise,' discuss the intricacies of franchising in this podcast. They explore the typical paths people take into franchising, including Mark's personal journey to becoming a franchise consultant. They caution that franchising isn't suitable for everyone, given the financial and commitment requirements. Mark stresses the need for potential franchisees to honestly evaluate their skills and whether a franchise will enhance their lives. The conversation delves into the process of vetting franchise candidates, the misunderstandings about absentee ownership, and the critical role of an owner's dedication. They also tackle the complexities of owning multiple units, the growth and support capabilities of franchisors, and the differences between franchise brokers and consultants. John highlights the value of validation from successful franchisees over national success averages. The conversation underscores the importance of thorough education and appropriate matching in the franchising process.

- With Mark Schnurman.

TIMESTAMPS (Use ChatGPT on Transcript):
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - Mark Schnurman shares how he got into franchising.
02:07 - Discussion on whether franchising is right for you.
03:02 - Understanding why some franchises fail.
04:41 - Explanation of the Six Factor Analysis for evaluating franchises.
06:12 - Tips on lead generation and initial consultations.
07:10 - How to evaluate franchise opportunities.
13:36 - The role of franchise brokers in the process.
19:58 - Challenges faced in franchise consulting.
23:50 - Exploring which industry sectors might suit you.
24:23 - The responsibilities of a franchisee.
25:20 - The importance of resilience and standing out as a franchisee.
25:39 - The pressures of managing multiple franchise units.
29:30 - The concept of “snow sold, not open” in franchising.
36:00 - How to evaluate franchise brokers and consultants.
42:18 - Why understanding franchisee profiles is important.
45:19 - Final thoughts and recommendations for potential franchise owners.


LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

John Hayes hosts Keith Miller on the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. Miller is a representative of the Franchisee Advocacy Consulting Group, advocating for franchisees, not franchisors. He has led several franchisee advocacy groups, including the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, the Coalition of Franchise Associations, and the North American Association of Subway Franchisees. Miller and his wife, Karen, have been Subway franchisees since 1988.

Miller is respected by peers, adversaries, the International Franchise Association, and franchisors. He advocates for franchisees, which he points out, are the largest investor group in franchising but have the weakest voice. Hayes asks why more regulation is needed to protect franchisees in America, the most heavily regulated country for franchising. Miller argues that franchising is not the most regulated industry in the country. He points out that while the FTC does have a franchise rule, it has only been enforced twice in the last 17 years.

Miller and his wife became franchisees in 1988. They both have computer science degrees and MBAs. They wanted to own their own business and started looking at franchises. They first looked at Togos, a competitor of Subway, but Togos didn't have any available territories. They then looked at Subway, which was affordable. They still own three Subway franchises, which they originally built out.

Miller discusses the controversy surrounding Subway, stating that it is the best and the worst of franchising all rolled into one. He acknowledges that Subway built too many stores and that many people didn't make it, especially those who took on debt. He also discusses the changes Subway made in 2000, which led to a sales growth of 20%. However, he admits that Subway struggled in the mid-2000s and that the 5-footlong promotion, while initially successful, ultimately led to Subway being recognized as the cheap, low-cost carrier, and they could never raise prices.

Miller concludes by discussing the recent changes at Subway. Fred DeLuca passed away in 2015, and the DeLucas and Bucks maintained ownership of Subway until April 30th, 2024, when Rourke Capital bought Subway. New leadership was brought in in 2019 with the sole purpose of getting the brand ready to sell.

- With Keith Miller.


TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast
01:21 The Need for Franchisee Protection
03:45 Keith Miller's Background and Journey into Franchising
08:42 Challenges and Controversies in Subway Franchising
14:22 Current State of Subway and Franchisee Vulnerabilities
17:32 The Importance of Franchisee Education and Due Diligence
27:16 The Importance of Consulting a Franchise Lawyer
27:37 The Blame Game: Franchisors vs. Franchisees
28:26 Human Nature in Franchising
28:57 Financial Struggles and Ethical Dilemmas
32:41 The Reality of Franchise Costs
34:28 The Controversial California Broker Bill
40:25 The Role of Regulation in Franchising
48:06 FTC's Stance on Franchising
51:31 Final Thoughts and Advice

LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
John Hayes' podcast guest is Charles Bonfiglio, the entrepreneur behind Tint World, a South Florida-based business. Bonfiglio shares his journey from being a young entrepreneur who moved to Florida to start a business in the aftermarket accessory world to becoming a successful franchise owner. He faced initial difficulties in securing a lease and a loan due to the lack of an established brand. However, a family member introduced him to the concept of franchising through Meineke Discount Mufflers. Bonfiglio then applied to Meineke, got approved, and opened his first store in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The power of a brand name helped him secure a lease and a loan.

Bonfiglio expanded his Meineke franchises to ten stores from 1983 to 2001. He also became a test center for Meineke, helping them expand their services. He learned how to buy property and build his own buildings for his franchises, which provided him with incremental income. In 2006, Bonfiglio decided to build his own brand. He bought out a company called Tint World, which had six locations at the time.

Bonfiglio hired a company to consult with him on writing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). He then sought advice from Ray Titus of United Franchise Group on how to sell franchises. After getting approved in all states, Titus helped Bonfiglio sell franchises for about a year. Bonfiglio then hired a franchise director, and they have been working together for over 15 years.

Tint World now has about 150 locations in four countries, predominantly in the United States. They also have locations in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Bonfiglio shares that he didn't initially plan to become a franchisor, but his experiences with Meineke and his own drive and ability to build a team led him to establish his own brand and become a successful franchisor.

- With Charles Bonfiglio.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Early Entrepreneurial Journey
01:33 Franchising with Meineke
03:56 Transition to Tint World
05:46 Building Tint World Franchise
20:21 Embracing Technology
25:25 Future Plans and Private Equity
27:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
John Hayes interviews Greg Flynn, the creator of the Flynn Group, which operates seven iconic brands across 44 states and three countries. Flynn discusses his motivation for growing his franchise empire, emphasizing that growth equals opportunity in the Flynn Group. He shares that the company experiences 30 percent annualized growth and employs over 75,000 team members across nearly 3,000 units. Flynn explains his journey into franchising, which started with a background in real estate and a friend's restaurant concept called World Wraps. He also shares how his father's ownership of two Burger Kings influenced his understanding of franchising. Flynn's company operates brands like Applebee's, Taco Bell, Panera, Arby's, Pizza Hut, Wendy's, and Planet Fitness. He explains that the company's growth can be divided into chapters, with the first focusing on Applebee's, the second on diversifying domestically, and the third on expanding internationally and into adjacencies like Planet Fitness. Flynn also reveals that the Flynn Group owns 120 hotels, 114 of which are franchised. He shares his belief that owning multiple franchises is less risky than owning one or two and advises potential franchisees to view it as an operating business. Flynn's goal is for the Flynn Group to be the premier franchise operator in the world, not just in terms of size but also in terms of performance. He emphasizes the importance of selecting premier brands and considering factors like market viability and margins when deciding what franchises to buy or build.

- With Greg Flynn

TIMESTAMPS (Use ChatGPT on Transcript):
00:00 Introduction to Greg Flynn and His Franchise Empire
00:41 The Drive Behind Flynn Group's Growth
02:16 Discovering Franchising: Greg's Journey
03:20 The Role of Burger King in Greg's Career
04:31 Expanding Beyond Restaurants: Planet Fitness and More
13:28 The Secret to Selecting the Right Brand
15:55 Overbuilt Market and Diversification Strategy
16:39 Applebee's Acquisition and Growth
18:17 Franchisee-Franchisor Relationship Dynamics
19:55 Value of Franchise Systems
21:16 Brand Selection and Differentiation
23:02 Operational Challenges and Strategies
25:32 Economies of Scale in Franchising
27:46 Daily Routines and Problem Solving
29:25 Franchising Philosophy and Goals
32:45 Impact of AI on Operations
33:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
James Carey, Director of Franchise Development for Preservan, discusses his views on work-life balance and the concept of work-life integration. Carey shares his experience of struggling with work-life balance during his 30-year career in corporate America, and how he found the concept of work-life integration more appealing and practical. He explains that work-life integration allows him to be a proud dad and a proud franchise and territory developer for Preservan simultaneously, and enables him to be flexible with his time and responsibilities.

Carey shares his approach to work-life integration with prospective franchisees, explaining that it allows them to achieve their goals in both their personal and professional lives. He believes that franchising offers a life-changing opportunity to create new experiences and personal growth.

Before joining Preservan, Carey worked in corporate America for a global automotive company as a traveling trainer. He left his job when his wife fell ill and he needed to be home more. During this time, he realized that he was unhappy in his work and wanted to do something he was proud of. He found an ad on Indeed and met Ty McBride, the founder of Preservan. He spent the first 18 months with Preservan as a territory manager in their corporate location, learning what it was like to be a franchisee. He then learned about the other side of franchising and became the territory developer for Preservan.

Preservan is a home service and home-based franchise that works with wood rot repair. They use a proprietary epoxy and resin system to repair wood decay, which is usually 70 to 90% less than the cost of replacement and three to four times faster. Preservan has 13 locations, with the first franchise kicking off in February or March 2020. They have an item 19 in their FD, and franchisees can expect to be doing around $167,000 a year per technician, with an average job of about $1,800 and a 71% gross profit back to the franchisee after three years.

- With James Carey

TIMESTAMPS (Use ChatGPT on Transcript):

00:00 – Introduction to James Carey and Preservan
00:24 – The Myth of Work-Life Balance
01:12 – Discovering Work-Life Integration
03:22 – Franchising and Personal Growth
05:37 – James Carey’s Journey to Franchising
09:03 – Understanding Preservan’s Franchise Model
17:12 – The Future of Franchising and Work-Life Integration
21:26 – Empowering the Next Generation of Franchisees
28:19 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
Jonathan Lippincott, a franchisee of 7 Brew Coffee, shares his journey from owning a Planet Fitness franchise to his current role. Initially, he pursued a degree in exercise science with plans to apply to the Air Force, inspired by his father, a fighter pilot and later a Delta Airlines pilot. However, he realized he was competing against highly accomplished individuals for Air Force pilot slots. While working at a hospital and managing a fitness center, he connected with a group of men at a church in Conway, Arkansas. They worked out together at a new gym, 10 Fitness. Intrigued by the business model, Lippincott asked the owner numerous questions about the gym’s operations, sparking his interest in franchising. He then contacted Planet Fitness corporate, filled out a form to assess his net worth, and despite knowing little about franchising, signed an agreement with the brand. However, finding a suitable location for his gym proved challenging, taking about 24 months. The head of real estate at Planet Fitness supported him during this time. Finally, he leased a vacant building in Jefferson City, Missouri, once occupied by a national retailer. The credibility and brand recognition of Planet Fitness played a key role in securing the lease. Despite facing challenges and fear, Lippincott was determined to succeed and opened his Planet Fitness gym for presale in November 2013.

With Jonathan Lippincott


TIMESTAMPS (Use ChatGPT on Transcript):
0:00 - Introduction
0:25 -Background: From Air Force Aspirations to Fitness
1:00 - Inspiration from Father’s Career
1:45 - Challenges and Realization in Air Force
2:30 - Discovery of Planet Fitness and Fitness Career
3:15 - Curiosity about 10 Fitness Business Model
4:00 - Life-Changing Encounter with 10 Fitness Owner
5:00 - Realizing Potential of Fitness Business
5:30 - Introduction to Franchising
6:00 - Reaching Out to Planet Fitness Corporate
7:00 - Discovering the Franchise System
8:00 - The Process of Signing the Franchise Agreement
9:00 - Facing Challenges and Failures
10:00 - The Struggles of Finding Suitable Locations
11:00 - 24 Months of Struggle and Setbacks
12:00 - The Help and Support from Planet Fitness
13:00 - The Miracle Location in Jefferson City
14:00 - The Power of a Franchise in Securing a Lease



LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

DESCRIPTION:
John Hayes hosts another episode of The Franchise Hot Seat with guests Kristi Mailloux and Todd Recknagel, members of the Titus Center Advisory Board. The couple has 30 years of experience in franchising and private equity and have been involved in numerous businesses.

Mailloux shares her journey into franchising, starting with an entry-level role at Molly Maid, a maid service franchise, after graduating from the University of Michigan with a psychology degree. She spent 20 years at Molly Maid, working in multiple roles and eventually becoming the president.

Recknagel, on the other hand, started as a banker and investment banker before co-founding a mezzanine fund. He later bought a group of Blimpie stores and became the largest franchisee.

The couple's company, 320 Capital Group, named after Ephesians 3:20, invests in equity and debt and lends to companies. They prefer businesses with a repeat recurring revenue model and the potential for scaling.

They have impacted at least 15 companies as managers, partners, or investors, including Blimpie, Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman, 800 Dry Clean, Pyro Clean, Ducks, Massage Envy Group, Sola Salons, and Office Pride. They have completed ten investments in the last five years, including two big platform deals in 2022 and 20 transactions within Massage Envy to grow from 28 units to 131.

With Todd Recknagel and Kristi Mailloux

TIMESTAMPS (Use ChatGPT on Transcript):
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Kristi's Journey into Franchising
03:25 - Todd's Path to Franchising
05:15 - 320 Capital Group and Private Equity
08:45 - Impact and Success in Franchising
24:41 - Balancing Marriage and Business
37:22 - Faith and Franchising
38:59 - Future Plans



LINKS:

WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast