Using Data to Drive Growth for a Successful Franchise w/ Sam Ballas 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

Using Data to Drive Growth for a Successful Franchise w/ Sam Ballas

June 25, 2025 • Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn • Episode 30

What does it really take to build a franchise brand where record sales, loyalty, and work-life balance all go hand-in-hand?

Today’s guest, Sam Ballas, is a serious numbers guy (his license plate literally says EBITDA!). And he is diving into his trademarked philosophy “driven by unit level economics”. Sam shares why focusing on the numbers at each location beats chasing super-sized national growth, and how regional relationships and relentless data tracking keeps his brands profitable and tight-knit. He also shares the importance of the quality of life (and ballet recitals!) even before expansion and how he stops franchise sales entirely when the time isn’t right.

Sam G. Ballas is the visionary Founder and Managing Partner of ZorAbility, Inc., as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G), Co-Founder of Sammy’s Sliders, Co-Founder/Investor of Dine Growth Group (DGG) and Vice Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA). With over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry and 31 years in financial markets and retail real estate development, Sam has cultivated a deep understanding of building successful franchise models. His leadership is grounded in blending traditional methods with innovative, proprietary strategies to create enduring brands.

So, if you want honest, battle-tested advice on franchising, balancing growth and happiness, and building teams that actually love what they do then this episode is for you!

Connect with Sam

Email - sam.ballas@eastcoastwings.com

Email - sgb@sammyssliders.com

Episode Highlights: