Power of Belief for a Successful Franchise with Robin Gagnon Artwork

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

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The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

Power of Belief for a Successful Franchise with Robin Gagnon

May 28, 2025 • Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn • Episode 28

What does it take to build an unstoppable franchise and lift others up along the way?

Today’s guest, Robin Gagnon, shares the transformative impact of having others believe in her talent before she believed in herself. And this personal insight is why she believes that belief is foundational to success.

Robin’s leadership philosophy revolves around learning, and lifting and leading others, which she credits for building multi-generational wealth and empowering franchisees to realize their own dreams. Robin shares how her adoption of EOS and her focus on core values helped scale We Sell Restaurants to 45 states. She also digs into resale strategies and exit planning, urging franchisors to embrace succession planning as an integral part of brand growth. And shares her advocacy for women and emerging franchisors seeking a seat at the table.

Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, the nation's leading—and only—business broker franchise specializing in restaurant sales. Under her leadership, the brand has expanded nationwide, dominating the restaurant-for-sale marketplace and franchise resales while delivering on its bold vision: Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else.

Robin is a recognized leader in franchising and business brokerage, Robin serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and is the Chair of the IFA Franchisor Forum. She previously chaired the Women’s Franchise Committee and holds multiple prestigious credentials, including an MBA, Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), and Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) from the International Business Brokers Association.

So, if you are ready to discover how belief, generosity and powerful systems can transform your business and your leadership then today’s episode is for you!

Connect with Robin

LinkedIn - @robingagnonrestaurantbroker

Website - https://www.wesellrestaurants.com/

Email - robin@wesellrestaurants.com

Episode Highlights: