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The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast
Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day.
Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community.
By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast.
In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations.
Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon provide actionable advice and inspiration.
Tune in to learn from the experiences of others, gain new perspectives, and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your franchising journey with confidence.
Join us on "The Franchise Leaders Forum" and become part of a community dedicated to leadership, growth, and success in franchising.
This podcast will provide answers to questions and topics like:
- Tips for Franchisees, Franchisors and vendor partners
- How to scale a franchise business
- Why is leadership important in franchising?
- How do I grow my franchise business?
- What are the trends in franchising?
- What is the challenge of franchising?
- How do I get involved in a franchise business?
- Franchise success stories
- Franchise marketing strategies
The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast
Navigating Franchise Exit Strategies & Private Equity w/ Alicia Miller
Have you wondered how private equity can transform your franchising journey or why timing your exit strategy is as critical as choosing the right franchise?
Today, Alicia Miller is sharing some golden nuggets on scaling your franchise, understanding private equity’s role and most importantly, planning your exit strategy ahead of time.
And if you are confused when it comes to private equity, Alicia breaks it down into understandable bite size pieces. She explains how less than 20% of franchisors get private equity investment and what qualities these firms are looking for - like a strong management team, profitability and great cash flow potential.
And if that wasn’t enough, Alicia gives the lowdown on crucial metrics like the EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) and why it’s a big deal for valuations.
Alicia Miller is the Founder and Managing Director of Emergent Growth Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory firm working at the intersection of franchising and private equity. She supports founders and franchise management teams facing growth, disruption, or transformation challenges, and helps them accelerate their businesses. She also advises private capital firms pre- and post-transaction on strategy and value creation initiatives and co-invests alongside her partners. As a former multi-unit franchisee, she brings a franchisee’s perspective and operating experience into every engagement.
So, if you are ready to uncover the secrets to scaling, sustaining and successfully exiting your business as well as learning about the financial intricacies of franchising that could be the game-changer for your business then today’s episode is for you!
Connect with Alicia
Website: www.emergentgrowthadvisors.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/milleralicia/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmoneyinfranchising/
Twitter: https://x.com/BigMoneyInFran
Amazon: https://a.co/d/coVmI6W
Episode Highlights:
- Importance of private equity
- Understanding what qualities private equities look for
- Have a plan and an exit strategy ready
- Financial preparedness and financial challenges
- Strategic focus on exit strategies and private equity roles
- Viewing a business from a buyer’s perspective
- Importance of business valuation
- Preparing a business for sale
- Strategies for emerging brands when selling
- Role of advisors in franchising
Connect with Tracy
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/
JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale
JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/
Email: podcast@jbfsale.com
Connect with Shannon
Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/
JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale