The Global Franchise Podcast

Why franchisee satisfaction should be your North Star, with John Teza of Hand & Stone

Spa franchises are an increasingly prominent segment of the international market, as customers demand more when it comes to their sense of cleanliness and wellbeing. Despite this industry seemingly being one of the first you’d need to shut down during a pandemic where close contact is mandated, brands like Hand & Stone managed to continue growing during the past two years, and show no sign of stopping.  
To learn more about the resilience and demand for this intimate industry, we caught up with John Teza, CEO of Hand & Stone. John occupied the role of CEO last August after serving as the brand’s president and chief development officer, and he’s also served on the board of trustees at the International Franchise Association for over seven years.  
Suffice to say that John knows a thing or two when it comes to successful franchising, so we wanted to learn more about the growth of Hand & Stone, the current position of the spa segment in the market, and why over half of the brand’s new franchising deals come from within its existing network.  
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How membership programs drive franchise growth, with Amy Phillips of Altitude Trampoline Parks

Membership programs are a valuable marketing and retention tool for all kinds of businesses, but it requires the right kind of experience and strategy to ensure that these are fully optimized. You need to understand what your customers want out of your brand and package this up for them in an affordable, attractive bundle.  
This is something that Amy Phillips, president and chief marketing officer for Altitude Trampoline Parks, knows all too well. Amy joined Altitude back in 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks. Over the past year, she’s managed to introduce a membership program to the family entertainment franchise that has seen a double-digit sales increase at participating locations.  
On this episode of the Global Franchise Podcast, we wanted to catch up with Amy to learn more about her methodology behind this program. Tune in to learn whether there are certain industries that this kind of program wouldn’t work for, as well as the perfect timing to introduce such a scheme. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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How to harness first-party franchise data, with Andrew Steele of LighthousePE

Data is an essential part of a brand’s growth, which we’ve covered extensively on the podcast and throughout previous issues of Global Franchise magazine. With it becoming increasingly challenging to harness third-party data, however, franchises need to start looking inward. For example, more than 75 per cent of iOS users around the world have rejected app tracking since the release of Apple’s iOS 14.5.  
First-party data has historically been viewed as an expensive area to tread into, which has caused some smaller organizations to forgo this invaluable source of customer activity. With companies like LighthousePE now working alongside franchises big and small, however, the possibilities are beginning to broaden.  
But what is first-party data, and how can it be used for brand growth? To answer these questions and many more, we caught up with LighthousePE’s CEO, Andrew Steele. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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From a parking lot workout to a cohesive fitness community, with Morgan and Devan Kline of Burn Boot Camp

Devan and Morgan Kline first conceptualized the idea of Burn Boot Camp back in a gym parking lot in 2012. In the 10 years since, the fitness-focused husband-and-wife duo have grown this inclusive franchise network to over 300 sites, with ambitious plans to hit 500 by the year 2023.  
But the fitness landscape certainly isn’t the same today as it was a decade ago, neither is the franchising model approached in quite the same way.  
We wanted to sit down with Devan and Morgan to learn about their journey in growing Burn Boot Camp, the evolutions that they’ve experienced throughout their journey, and what they believe the future holds for class-based workout brands. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities.
 

How culture builds long-term franchisor success, with Donnie Carr of Christian Brothers Automotive

The automotive repair industry is one that we’ve not covered in as much detail as the likes of F&B or fitness as of late, but it’s an important services segment that is seeing some entrepreneurs turn their passion for cars into a long-term business. One such operator in this space is Christian Brothers Automotive, and our guest today is the franchisor’s president and CEO, Donnie Carr.
Donnie has been with the brand for upward of 15 years and has occupied many roles on his ascent to the top spot. This has allowed him to gain an intricate understanding of not only this industry but the minutiae of what makes Christian Brothers Automotive tick.  
Join us as we learn about Donnie’s entrepreneurial lessons, his perspective on the importance of culture and empathy, and why he believes that automotive care remains a valuable franchising segment – even when millions of commuters stopped using their cars. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities.

The secret ingredient of fast-casual franchising success, with Imran Sayeed of German Doner Kebab

When it comes to international fast-casual franchises, few have the diversity of German Doner Kebab. As the name would imply, the brand originated in Berlin in 1989, but it is now headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland. As well as a considerable U.K. footprint, GDK is also present in North America and has plans to launch in Saudi Arabia this year.  
At the heart of this international growth, you’ll find impressive figures that any fast-casual frontrunner would be envious of. An 81 per cent rise in total sales during the pandemic is certainly a headline to shout about, and GDK is using this momentum to continue its international dominance; with plans to open further American, Canadian, and European sites in the months ahead.  
To learn more about the brand’s growth and strategy, as well as its positioning against the current challenges being faced by the industry, we caught up with Imran Sayeed, CEO of German Doner Kebab. Imran has been immersed in franchise development for over two decades, making him the perfect source of industry knowledge. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities.

How franchises can retain staff during massive turnover, with Bill Stoller of Express Employment Professionals

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that staffing issues are among the biggest challenges that franchisors are facing today. In November of 2021, for example, 4.5 million Americans quit their job, while in Canada, half of all employers now require their employees to be vaccinated in order to continue employment. Throw in the huge boom in remote working positions, and you’ve got a job landscape that would be unrecognizable just a few years ago.  
Thankfully, organizations like Express Employment Professionals work to mitigate these staffing woes. Co-founded by Bill Stoller back in 1983, the staffing franchise now has a footprint covering multiple continents, with over 830 franchise locations across the world. Since its inception, Express Employment Professionals has put more than nine million people to work internationally. So you could say that Bill knows a thing or two when it comes to staffing.  
To learn more, we wanted to speak with Bill about the current labor crisis, and what franchises can do to overcome ongoing challenges. Are there hidden solutions in the existing workforce, for example, and will the shift to remote working change the way we view employment for the long term? Tune in to find out. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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ⓣ https://twitter.com/globalfranmag
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/globalfranchisemag/
This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.  
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities. 

The exciting tech future of QSR franchising, with Robert Bhagwandat of Checkers & Rally’s

Many franchise brands within the QSR space have needed to evolve and adapt over the past few years, and we’ve spoken to many of these on this very podcast. Some organizations, however, have already established themselves as ready for this ‘new normal’ – including the likes of Checkers & Rally’s, with its distinctly contact-free dual drive-thru model.  
Just because the brand is ahead of the curve, however, doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for evolution. Just this year, in fact, Checker’s announced a new partnership with Presto to integrate voice automated ordering into its new corporate sites. But what does this new technology do to streamline the customer experience, and make its franchisees’ lives easier?  
To find out, we caught up with Robert Bhagwandat, director of franchise development at Checkers & Rally’s. Robert’s extensive experience with franchise growth and development, as well as his insight into overcoming QSR’s current challenges, make him the perfect person to speak to its exciting future.  
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
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ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/globalfranchisemag/
This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.  
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities. 

Understanding your franchise’s dream client, with Bryce Henson of Fit Body Boot Camp

The fitness industry is one of franchising’s most enduring, with countless brands from around the world allowing those with a passion for working out to turn their interests into a career.  
This is exactly the path that this week’s guest went down, with Bryce Henson, CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp, initially beginning his journey with the organization as one of its franchisees. Bryce still owns multiple Fit Body Boot Camp locations and runs them in conjunction with steering the future of the brand itself.  
We’ve spoken with many fitness experts in the past, but we wanted to catch up with Bryce to get a true understanding of what the fitness franchise landscape looks like moving forward this year.  
What are the main challenges facing its many operators, and what trends will dictate the way that consumers think and feel about their favourite gyms? Make sure to stay tuned to find out. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Ⓛ https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-franchise/
ⓣ https://twitter.com/globalfranmag
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/globalfranchisemag/
This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.  
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities. 
 

The benefits of mentorship in QSR franchising, with Sam Rothschild of Slim Chickens and Louis Cambeletta of Liberty University

The QSR industry is one that we’ve covered in extensive detail throughout the duration of this podcast, and we’ll no doubt continue to do well into 2022 as restaurants recover from a global pandemic and evolve in order to suit an entirely new generation of consumer. Two individuals who know this all too well are Sam Rothschild, COO of Slim Chickens, and Louis Cambeletta, vice president of auxiliary services at Liberty University.  
The pair initially met back in 2000 when working at Tony Roma’s, and have since developed a strong, collaborative partnership while working at their respective organizations. Mentorship is undoubtedly a valuable and often underrated pillar of growth, so we wanted to speak with Sam and Louis about how their mutual support and guidance has elevated their respective roles.  
With both guests also being deeply entrenched in the food and beverage industry, we also use this opportunity to talk trends, analysis, and predictions for this unstoppable category in 2022. Will this be a year of unforeseen growth, or will brands still need to ensure they remain vigilant against change and challenges? Tune in to find out. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up for our newsletter at global-franchise.com, subscribe to our definitive magazine, and join the conversation with our experts today on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Ⓛ https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-franchise/
ⓣ https://twitter.com/globalfranmag
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/globalfranchisemag/
This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Neighborly, the leader in home services franchising. Neighborly is the world's largest home services franchisor with 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving more than 10 million customers in nine countries; with opportunities focused on repairing, maintaining, and enhancing homes and businesses.  
Visit https://franchise.neighborlybrands.com to learn more about the group’s franchise opportunities.