Stars of Franchising
“How do I find and choose the right franchise opportunity?” “How do I overcome the obstacles and bounce back from the setbacks?” “How do I achieve the scale I’m after?”
Join hosts Ab Igram and Vini Onyemah to learn from the global pioneers, innovators, and visionaries who are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams through the franchise business model.
New episodes every other week.
Episodes
41 episodes
Mateo and Tadeo Acosta-Rubio, Churromania & Clave
"We’ve been lucky to grow up in a playground of entrepreneurship — churros just happen to be the medium." In this energizing episode of Stars of Franchising, we sit down with Mateo and Tadeo Acosta-Rubio, Venezuela...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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43:08
Fernando López de Castilla Elías, Founder of GNF Worldwide & Formula X
"Franchising is not just a business model. It’s an ecosystem of shared success." As the founder of GNF Worldwide, Fernando López de Castilla Elías has helped shape the franchise landscape across more than 10 countries. From...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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34:14
Rob Branca, Dunkin’ Franchisee, Real Estate Developer, and National Franchise Advocate
"If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu." Rob Branca is more than just a multi-unit Dunkin’ operator — he’s a legal mind, real estate investor, second-generation franchisee, and one of franchisin...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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50:49
Lindsey McFadden, CMO of Stretch Zone
"Our business is about helping people feel better — whether that’s in body, in mindset, or through entrepreneurship." Lindsey McFadden didn’t just join the wellness franchising movement — she’s helping shape the future of i...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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28:36
Victor Berny, Multi-Brand Franchise Operator & Babson Alum
"You don’t need to be an expert in everything — you just need vision, leadership, and great people." Victor Berny grew up in his family’s hardware store business in Mexico. Today, he’s the visionary behind one of the region...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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44:21
Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands
"It's about creating a lasting culture while embracing growth for the next generation." Somia Farid Silber grew up with entrepreneurship in her DNA — starting at the age of nine working at Edible Arrangements, the iconic brand found...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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40:32
Debra Strougo, Row House Founder, Fitizens Partner
“It’s a beautiful form of entrepreneurship to be a franchisee, because you have so much stability and support but you still are the maven of your own market.”Debra Strougo worked for the New York City mayor’s office in brand de...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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44:54
Vanessa Yakobson, Blo Blow Dry Bar CEO & Partner
“If a franchisee invents a practice that is serving them really well, we want them to let us know so we can package it up and share it in the system.”The beauty market is one of the hottest in franchising, and with more than 10...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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35:46
Shane Franson-Evans, Massage Heights Co-Founder & CEO
“When you’re protecting an emerging brand, you’re protecting the stakes of all the people who’d invested in the brand.”From taking care of her own back pain to taking care of the owners of more than 100 Massage Heights location...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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31:28
Justin Willingham & Monica Fonseca: An International Perspective on Franchising
“Let’s not be copycats. Create a new demand for new products. Don’t be afraid. Go for it. And if you fail, just get up and do it again.”Our most in-depth look at international franchising yet! Based in Honduras, Justin and Moni...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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38:42
Mark Kushinsky, MaidPro & Threshold Brands Founder/CEO
“There are a lot of things people misunderstand about franchising. People tend to think that if they buy a franchise, their success is going to be guaranteed.” It took Mark Kushinsky a year and a half as a department store mana...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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36:07
Scott Wendrych, FYZICAL Chief Development Officer
“The better and more diverse backgrounds of the people in your system, the better your brand’s going to be.”A must-listen for current ‘zees, ‘zees of tomorrow, and anyone else contemplating a startup business venture. As the gu...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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40:01
Annie Tselikis, Cousins Maine Lobster Alumna
“The franchisee/franchisee relationships are critical for the success of our system.Annie Tselikis said, “You’re crazy” when her brother Jim and cousin Sabin Lomac hatched the idea of a food truck in Los Angeles serving Maine l...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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49:05
Ramzi Daklouche, Edible Brands Chief Commercial Officer
“If you just come in as a franchisee and expect to be employed by the franchisor, and just wait for the franchisor to give you direction, that’s a sure way to fail.”Five years as a franchisee for 4 US retail brands taught Ramzi...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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32:06
Jeff Klein, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Multi-Unit Franchisee
“Franchisee unit-level economics has to be the most important thing a franchisor thinks about. If they don’t, the system doesn’t work.”The energy is AMPED in this episode, and no wonder: Guest Jeff Klein is a go-go ‘zee for D...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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40:24
Alex Faigel, Dr. Dental Founder and Co-CEO
“There’s no such thing as failure. You just didn’t get there yet.”Alex founded Dr. Dental in 2004 with the vision of retailizing dental care by providing convenient, accessible, quality care via retail dental clinics in conveni...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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36:29
Winn Claybaugh & John Kanski of Paul Mitchell Schools & Salty Dawg Pet Salons
“You can’t fire your way into building a better team of people. That’s why culture matters.”Our 25th episode is our hairiest yet! In 2018 they asked themselves, “Why not?” and began extending the “Be Nice” culture of Paul Mitch...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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46:54
Christo Demetriades, Managing Partner at Conscious Capital Growth
“As a franchisor, you’re entrusting your franchisees to continue the growth of your brand, and putting the essence of the brand in their hands.”A proven entrepreneur, visionary and leader, Christo Demetriades has spent 3 decade...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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35:07
Gary Raphael: The Mid-Career Pivot to Franchising
“Franchising is like politics: It’s all local.”After a 35-year career as an insurance executive, Gary Raphael found himself “on the short end of a merger” and embarked on a new entrepreneurial journey that has led him to the QS...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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38:04
Jonathan Epstein, Planet Fitness Mega-Franchisee
“Sometimes, franchising is MORE entrepreneurial, because in the larger franchises all of the great ideas that the customers are experiencing come from the franchisees.”Was Jonathan Epstein born to follow the franchise model to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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46:24
Restaurant Franchising 2024 Outlook with Dan Bonoff of Goode Partners
“Unit economics is what makes investing in restaurants compelling and exciting.”Dan Bonoff, a partner at Goode Partners, has been a private equity investor with a focus on the consumer sector for nearly 20 years. During his pri...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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35:25
Heather Elrod, Managing Partner at Conscious Capital Growth
“As a franchisee, you have to work ON the business as well as IN the business.Heather's career spans 30 years in the franchise, beauty, and wellness industries. She’s held executive positions in multi-billion dollar as well as ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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31:54
Tim Vogel, Scenthound Founder & CEO
“Some people are not meant to franchise. Some people absolutely SHOULD franchise.”Talk about perfect timing: Tim Vogel opened the first Scenthound dog-care shop in 2020, just as pet ownership skyrocketed during the pandemic. To...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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38:34
Elizabeth Roberts: Pure Barre’s #1 Franchisee
“I did everything you’re not supposed to do in finance to open my first studio.”For Redbird Fitness founder/CEO Elizabeth Roberts, it all started with a pair of “sticky socks” in 2015. Now operating a dozen Pure Barre locations ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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45:57
Bryce Fluellen: Economic Mobility Through Social Equity Franchising
“You always have to be telling your story. If you’re doing good in the world you have to be just as loud and persistent as those who aren’t.”As President/Co-Founder of Arthur Lee Consulting & Advisory (named in honor of his...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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36:17