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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 the SBA Franchise Directory Changes with FRANdata’s Edith Wiseman
Are you confused about the difference between the SBA franchise directory and the franchise registry and what recent changes mean for your brand's growth and funding?
We are diving deep into urgent changes in franchise funding, specifically around the SBA Franchise Directory, a topic you can’t afford to overlook.
We are joined by Edith Wiseman, President of FRANdata. Edith is breaking down everything from what FRANdata actually does, think deep dives into franchisors and franchisees, and how this information is used by lenders, suppliers, and franchisors.
And most importantly, Edith is sharing the critical difference between the Franchise Registry and the SBA Franchise Directory. If you’ve ever mixed these two up this episode will bring you clarity. And we are digging into why the SBA disappeared and why it’s back with a June 1, 2025 deadline.
Edith Wiseman is the President of FRANdata, a leading franchise market research and advisory firm. With over 24 years in the industry, she transforms complex data into strategies that drive franchise growth and innovation. A trusted advisor to franchisors, lenders, and Fortune 500 companies, one franchisor said, “We couldn’t have grown to 1,000 stores and beyond without her and her team.”
Recognized by Entrepreneur and 1851 as a top woman in franchising, Edith has held key leadership roles within the International Franchise Association, including Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Chair of the Supplier Forum. She continues to support industry advancement through initiatives focused on emerging brands and equitable growth, including the Ascension Initiative and the IFA Education Foundation.
So, if you are confused by the upcoming SBA Franchise Directory changes and what you need to know then this episode is for you!
Resources
Franchise Directory - https://www.sba.gov/document/support-sba-franchise-directory
Franchise Registry - https://www.franchiseregistry.com/
Current SBA SOP - https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs
Blog updates with summary of SOP changes - https://frandata.com/blog/
Connect with Edith
Email - franchiseregistry@FranData.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-wiseman-281b6b/
Call FRANdata - 800-485-9570
Website - https://frandata.com/
Episode Highlights:
- Understanding FRANdata
- Distinguishing the Franchise Registry and SBA Franchise Directory
- SBA franchise directory changes
- Eligibility and certification process for SBA Franchise Directory
- Guidance for existing and emerging franchisors and the SBA Directory
- Key recent SBA and lending changes
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