How Franchising Transformed My Career - With Mary Thompson Artwork

The Franchise Hot Seat Podcast with Dr. John P. Hayes - Director, Titus Center for Franchising

Internationally recognized speaker, personal business coach and Amazon best-selling franchise author Dr. John Hayes offers an honest look at everything involved in researching, evaluating and purchasing a franchise business. On this podcast, Dr. John P Hayes interviews Franchisors, Franchisees, and has solo episodes giving valuable advice in the Franchise Industry. Since 1979, John Hayes has worked in the franchise community as a consultant, franchisee and franchisor. He’s one of an elite group worldwide that has actually owned and operated franchises, including serving as CEO of a major American franchisor company, and advised franchisors and franchisees. He is the author of several franchise-related books and countless articles that have appeared in media worldwide. Dr. Hayes has served for many years as an advisor to franchisors, franchisees and small business owners internationally. His areas of expertise include management development, marketing, customer service, training and strategic planning. He is the author or co-author of 18 non-fiction books including Franchising: The Inside Story, Start Small, Finish Big, You Can’t Teach A Kid To Ride A Bike At A Seminar, and most recently Buy “Hot” Franchises Without Getting Burned. Keywords: franchise tax board , chick fil a franchise , the franchise guy , best franchise to own , franchise business , buying a franchise , franchise opportunities , opening a franchise , owning a franchise

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The Franchise Hot Seat Podcast with Dr. John P. Hayes - Director, Titus Center for Franchising

How Franchising Transformed My Career - With Mary Thompson

September 01, 2025 • Dr. John P Hayes • Season 1 • Episode 67

DESCRIPTION:

John Hayes interviews Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and chair of the International

Franchise Association's Board of Directors, who shares her journey from the Marine

Corps to franchising via a company called Cookies by Design. Thompson highlights

the importance of franchising in developing her business skills and its

transformative impact on her career. She discusses her career progression, including

roles at Mr. Rooter and the Dwyer Group, and emphasizes the importance of value

alignment in franchising. Thompson provides insights into the importance of

networking, her experiences with private equity, and the operations at BNI. She also

discusses the wider goals of franchising, its impact on local communities, and

ongoing efforts to educate the public and lawmakers about the benefits of

franchising. Thompson's commitment to service, both in business and through her

role at the IFA, is also discussed.

- With Mary (Kennedy) Thompson.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro

00:52 How did you discover franchising?

01:52 What is the Cookie Bouquet story?

04:40 Why transition to Mr. Rooter?

10:57 What is franchising's biggest value?

19:30 How does BNI work?

24:50 What is the BNI investment?

26:42 What is BNI's core competency?

30:44 What is "Givers Gain"?

43:03 Biggest franchising challenge and opportunity?

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/franchisehotseatpodcas