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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
Smarter Strategies for Franchise Growth w/ Marianne Murphy
What if the secret to franchise growth wasn’t found in dashboards or marketing campaigns, but in relationships, accountability, and culture?
Marianne Murphy has spent more than 25 years driving growth in franchising, from early days at Housemaster Home Inspection to leadership roles with Floor Coverings International, Any Lab Test Now, and more. A Certified Franchise Executive and EOS Integrator, she brings a unique perspective on how emerging brands can scale with clarity and culture at the center.
In this conversation, Marianne shares the pivotal lessons she learned working alongside Ken Austin, the founder of the home inspection franchise industry, and how his mantra “If it’s good for the franchisees, it’s good for the business” still shapes her approach today. She explains why “semi-absentee ownership” is a dangerous myth, how accountability charts and EOS can transform leadership teams, and why culture and relationships must come before compliance.
Whether you’re an emerging brand trying to define your KPIs, a franchisor looking to strengthen franchisee trust, or a leader curious about EOS, this episode is packed with practical strategies and candid wisdom. Marianne’s journey proves that sustainable growth comes from planting the right seeds, nurturing relationships, and building a culture that franchisees can believe in.
Connect with Marianne
Website: https://murphyconsulting.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannemurphy/
Episode Highlights:
- Marianne’s start in franchising
- Lessons from Ken Austin: “If it’s good for the franchisees, it’s good for the business”
- Why “semi-absentee ownership” is a dangerous myth
- The role of KPIs and leading indicators in driving growth.
- How EOS brings clarity and accountability to leadership teams.
- The visionary-integrator dynamic
- Why culture and trust matter more than compliance.
- The importance of mentorship, relationships, and community in franchising.
- Building trust, culture, and franchisee relationships over compliance
- How mentorship, community, and committees strengthen systems
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