From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying
Franchise Business Review is the trusted, independent source for franchise research. Join FBR President and COO Michelle Rowan as she demystifies the franchise buying process. From funding to franchisee satisfaction, she covers everything you need to know about buying and running a successful franchise. Michelle’s not going it alone, either. With 20 years in market research, Franchise Business Review has insights from hundreds of thousands of franchise owners to uncover the highest-rated brands.
Episodes
49 episodes
The $112 Billion Industry Nobody's Talking About
Most franchise opportunities promise stability — but few are as resilient and rewarding as the commercial cleaning sector. In this episode, Allison Dudas dives into the booming world of cleaning and maintenance, revealing how this essential ind...
What Are The Most Profitable Franchises of 2026?
In this episode, we announce our Most Profitable Franchises of 2026. We name 50 franchise brands in this list whose franchisees report higher earnings than the average. No brand can pay to be on this list! They are on it because of their high f...
What Is It Like to Be A Woman In Franchising?
Host: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBRGuest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window CleaningThis episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill ...
What's It Like to Own a Retail Franchise
Jason Sharp’s journey from corporate healthcare to owning a pool supply franchise in Alabama reveals the real secret to success: building a community-focused team and letting your leadership shine behind the scenes. Discover how Jason’s strateg...
The Hidden Factor Behind Franchise Success: Culture
In this episode, hosts Michelle and Allison dive into the importance of franchise culture. They discuss how a strong culture can significantly impact franchisee satisfaction and business success. The episode highlights the top franchises known ...
REPLAY: How to Fund Your Franchise
In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Ali Kraus delve into the diverse world of franchise funding options. From traditional bank loans to innovative rollover strategies, they explore how aspiring franchisees can navigate financial chal...
5 Marketing Questions to Ask Before Buying a Franchise
In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan and Katherine LeBlanc discuss essential marketing questions to consider when evaluating franchise opportunities. Katherine, with over 20 years of marketing experience, shares insights in...
Red Flags in Your Franchise Agreement: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," the hosts delve into the often-overlooked aspects of franchise agreements that can significantly impact buyers. Joined by Megan Center, a seasoned franchise attorney, they explore the critical differen...
Senior Care Is Booming. What This Industry Looks Like From the Inside
Most franchisees in senior care are driven by a deep sense of purpose, but Zubin Kapadia’s journey reveals what it truly takes to succeed in this fast-growing, emotionally rewarding industry. When he transitioned from law and international heal...
Your Franchisor Got Bought by Private Equity — Now What?
Host: Michelle Rowan, Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Susan Black-Beth, Auspicious OwlIn this episode of "From A to Franchisee," hosts Michelle Rowan and Susan Black-Beth explore the impact of private equity on franchising. They disc...
We Ask Franchisees If They're Happy. Here's How.
Franchise Business Review is a market research firm dedicated to franchisee satisfaction. This means we work hard to figure out how happy franchisees are owning their brands. This episode gets at our process and explores:Why you nee...
How To Spot A Recession-Resistant Franchise
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled BrandsSummaryThinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how...
Start Lean, Scale Big: The Best Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities for 2026
What if you could own a thriving business for under $100,000? In this episode, Allison and Michelle reveal Franchise Business Review's 2026 Top 50 Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities, breaking down the advantages of leaner business models and what...
Should You Use a Franchise Broker — or Is It a Conflict of Interest?
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Tim Parmeter, Founder and CEO of FranCoachSummary<...
The Path to Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Success in Franchising
Most entrepreneurs kill their growth momentum by overcomplicating the journey—Antonio McBroom reveals how a simple mindset shift accelerated his rise from a college student scooper to one of the largest Ben & Jerry's franchisees on the plan...
Industry Spotlight: Brick-and-Mortar Food Franchisee
Michelle Rowan talks to Crumbl Cookies and Pizza Factory franchisee, Ernie Amorim, about the intricacies of operating a brick-and-mortar food franchise. Ernie, a seasoned multi-unit franchise owner, shares his journey from purchasing his first ...
The Top Franchises for Women of 2026
In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," we delve into the 2026 list of top franchises for women, celebrating female franchise owners and the brands that support them. Our host, joined by frequent guest and producer Allison Dudas, explores th...
New SBA Guidelines and the Basics of SBA Loans
Join Michelle Rowan and Anthony Byrd in this episode of "From A to Franchisee" as they unravel the complexities of SBA loans for franchise buyers. Discover how SBA loans serve as a government-backed security for banks, making it easier for new ...
Announcing the Franchisee Excellence Awards
Unlock the secrets of top-performing franchisees in this insightful episode. Discover how these leaders achieve consistent success, even in challenging markets, by treating their franchise like a CEO-run business and following proven systems. J...
Inside Look: Franchisee with an Emerging Brand
Discover what it’s really like to join a franchise in its early stages through the firsthand insights of Tom Winspear. Learn about the advantages, challenges, and strategies for success when entering an emerging brand, plus tips on assessing an...
Industry Spotlight: Brick-and-Mortar Child Enrichment Franchisee
In this episode, Ashley Vetek shares her journey from military service to successful multi-unit franchise owner of Tutu School, focusing on the unique opportunities and challenges in the children’s enrichment space. Whether you're considering e...
The Role of Franchise Business Coaches
This episode delves into the role of a franchise business consultant (FBC), featuring guest Maria Heatherington from Massage Luxe. The discussion highlights the FBC's role as a strategic partner and coach for franchise owners, helping them oper...
Industry Spotlight: Education Franchises
In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan interviews Carli Sonntag, a franchise owner in the tutoring space, specifically with Mathnasium. Carli shares her journey from working in media and teaching to owning a franchise, highli...
The Importance of Training and Support in a Franchise System
In this podcast episode, Michelle Rowan speaks with representatives from two distinct franchise systems about the importance of training and support. First up is Scott Koepf from Cruise Planners, a home-based travel franchise. Secondly, Steven ...
The Pros and Cons of Buying an Existing Franchise
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business ReviewGuest: Paige Robinson Dosch, VP Franchise Resales, Unleashed BrandsThe podcast episode features Michelle Rowan and Paige Robinson Dosch discussing the intricacies of buyi...