.png)
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
Turning a Failing Franchise Around w/ PuroClean’s Steve White
What does it really take to lead a struggling franchise brand back to growth and keep it thriving for more than a decade?
Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean, shares the hard-earned lessons from his career turning underperforming organizations into award-winning, rapidly growing franchise systems. With a military background that shaped his servant leadership approach, Steve opens up about how putting franchisees first became the foundation for PuroClean’s transformation.
From his early days at Domino’s Pizza during its fastest growth years to taking on PuroClean when franchisees were leaving in droves, Steve walks us through the realities of stepping into a system in crisis and the mindset required to turn it around. He reveals why his first six months were focused on listening, rebuilding trust, and making franchisee profitability the #1 priority.
Steve explains the importance of measurable success metrics, like annual sales per employee and per truck, and how making franchisees more profitable fuels reinvestment and system-wide growth. He also shares how strategically-timed franchisee satisfaction surveys became a powerful roadmap for continuous improvement.
We also dive into how to build a franchisee-first culture, hire team members who align with your values, and navigate challenges like franchisees who want to “innovate” before mastering the system. Whether you’re leading a mature brand, launching a new concept, or looking for leadership inspiration, this episode is a masterclass in steady, values-driven growth.
Connect with Steve
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-white-b1a2661/
Email: stevewhite@puroclean.com
Website: https://www.puroclean.com/
Episode Highlights:
- Steve’s military background and how it shaped his leadership style
- Lessons from Domino’s Pizza during its fastest growth years
- Walking into PuroClean amid franchisee dissatisfaction and decline
- Six-month focus on listening, culture, and profitability
- Using key metrics to drive franchisee success and reinvestment
- Building a franchisee-first culture from the top down
- Hiring for cultural fit and servant leadership values
- Creating a giving and collaborative franchisee community
- Handling resistant franchisees and channeling innovation effectively
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
Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/
Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com