The Global Franchise Podcast

Capturing the soul of a brand, with Jon Taffer of Taffer’s Tavern

Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the idea of the ‘third place’. This means a social gathering hub and a nexus for human interaction – and it’s also the idea that Jon Taffer has built his emerging brand around: Taffer’s Tavern. 
Intended to be much more than just a restaurant, Taffer’s Tavern is touted as the ‘bar of the future’. And with its proprietary Taffer’s Safe Dining System, meticulously crafted interior, and technology-driven back-end, it’s easy to see why multi-unit investors are rushing to sign deals all across the States. 
On this episode of The Global Franchise Podcast, we sit down with Jon to truly understand his vision for this revolutionary – and possibly controversial – take on the dine-out concept. How do you reinvent a model that’s been in operation for hundreds of years? Tune in to find out. 
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This episode of the Global Franchise Podcast is brought to you by Scenthound, a unique wellness-focused dog grooming concept with exclusive franchise territories available in key U.S. markets. Learn more at http://scenthound.com/. 

Making eSport franchising accessible, with Jay Melamed of XP League

eSports are big business. By 2023, it’s predicted that the industry could see revenues of over $1.6bn, and venture capitalists have already invested almost three times that amount in numerous gaming-centric brands. The fact is that gaming has come a long way since the days of Pong – and franchising is starting to notice. 
Cue brands like XP League, which is using its ‘league-in-a-box’ model to make this digital arena more accessible than ever before. Jay Melamed, co-founder and CEO of the brand, believes that they could easily hit 100 locations before the end of 2021; despite XP League only launching in September of last year. And this goal is much more than just ambitious talk, as the brand has already grown to 34 locations across 15 U.S. states, with Canadian expansion on the horizon. 
On this episode of the Global Franchise Podcast, join us as we speak with Melamed about the topical appeal of eSports, the kind of franchisees that would be perfect for this emerging trend, and why you don’t need to be a gamer to make it big with this virtual gold rush.
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up to our newsletter at https://www.globalfranchisemagazine.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 Scenthound, a unique wellness-focused dog grooming concept with exclusive franchise territories available in key U.S. markets. Learn more at http://scenthound.com/. 

How fitness franchises can evolve with consumers, with Jon Cottam of Lift Brands

“The journey with the consumer should never stop,” says Jon Cottam, CEO, EMEA for Lift Brands. A strong sentiment, but how do you turn this into a tangible part of your franchise’s make-up? 
For Lift Brands, the trick is evolution. The pandemic hasn’t suddenly transformed its concepts like Snap Fitness and 9Round into entirely new endeavors – instead, it has allowed them to naturally evolve and incorporate the likes of wearables and digital experiences into operations. 
On this episode, we speak with Cottam about the wider Lift Brands portfolio, and really dig down into what makes a boutique brand like 9Round appealing in the increasingly competitive workout space. We also touch on the “elitist” feel that boutique concepts can sometimes possess, and how Lift Brands is doing everything it can to make fitness as welcoming as possible.
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up to our newsletter at https://www.globalfranchisemagazine.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 Scenthound, a unique wellness-focused dog grooming concept with exclusive franchise territories available in key U.S. markets. Learn more at http://scenthound.com/. 

The time is now to invest in flexible workspace franchises, with Andrea Pirrotti-Dranchak of Office Evolution

Remote working has become commonplace, but for some people, the company of their peers beats their cats or houseplants any day. That’s partly why flexible workspaces have been booming lately – it’s an industry that capitalizes on the times, and yet has been developed for several decades. 
Nobody knows this more than Andrea Pirrotti-Dranchak who, as chief marketing and development officer for Office Evolution, has been immersed in this space since the late ‘90s. But as the fixed office dies, how do franchisors like Office Evolution keep up with skyrocketing demand? 
On this episode, we take a step back to look at the origins of this burgeoning concept, track its evolution to the booming sector it is today, and peer into the future of the flexible working world. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up to our newsletter at https://www.globalfranchisemagazine.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 Scenthound, a unique wellness-focused dog grooming concept with exclusive franchise territories available in key U.S. markets. Learn more at http://scenthound.com/. 

3 ways to up your franchising game, with leadership speaker Scott Greenberg

Franchising is about community. But for that community to operate efficiently, all members need to be at the top of their game. This goes for both franchisors and franchisees – everyone involved needs to understand how they can maximize the output of the network. 
So how do you go about doing that? Scott Greenberg, a multi-unit, award-winning franchisee (Edible Arrangements), leadership speaker, and published franchising author, believes that it’s all about perspective. Brands don’t necessarily need to invest millions of dollars to see instrumental change; it can be as simple as slowing down, taking a breath, and keeping a clear head. 
On this episode, we speak with Scott about the many other ways in which franchising professionals can be the best version of themselves, and discuss what it means to be a ‘wealthy franchisee’ – the concept behind Scott’s latest book, The Wealthy Franchisee: Game-Changing Steps to Becoming a Thriving Franchise Superstar. 
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How franchisors can be servant leaders, with Ray Titus of United Franchise Group

Ray Titus has always lived and breathed franchising, with his father introducing him to the concept at a young age and Ray opening his first Signarama location at just 23 years old. 
But it wasn’t until he moved away from the ‘dog-eat-dog’ mentality that so many young entrepreneurs adopt, and stepped into a servant leader role, that United Franchise Group truly took off and became the international powerhouse that it remains today. 
On this episode, we speak with Ray about his rapid trajectory from first-time franchisee to CEO, and how unifying each of UFG’s 10 brands under one collaborative umbrella has helped each of its 1,600-plus franchisees to feel a part of something bigger. 
To keep your finger on the beating pulse of franchising, sign up to our newsletter at https://www.globalfranchisemagazine.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 foster a family-first fitness franchise, with Ty Menzies and Andy Peat of Snap Fitness

Many franchise brands project a ‘family-first’ philosophy, but when the times get tough, do they have what it takes to have the tough conversations needed with franchisees – as well as celebrating the victories? 
Ty Menzies, global CEO for Lift Brands, believes that Snap Fitness has exactly that. That’s what has allowed this 24/7 fitness provider to not only have thousands of sites open and in development around the world but also double-down on support for its growing network; as shown by the reacquisition of its U.K markets back in October of last year. 
On this episode, we’re also joined by Andy Peat, chief product officer for Snap Fitness, to talk all things innovation. That means new tech, new consumer-facing approaches, and a consolidation of the brand’s learnings throughout the pandemic. It hasn’t been an easy road to walk, but perseverance has led to a year that could be the brand’s biggest yet. 
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Improving one million lives through fitness franchising, with Stuart Cain of HITZone

When Start Cain left the corporate world and decided to create HITZone in 2015, he wasn’t motivated solely by profits or market domination. No, he decided that he wanted to improve the lives of one million people by introducing them to exercise; an ambition that still permeates this unique, boutique brand, even as it launches in overseas markets like the U.S. and Canada. 
By taking members on an “alternative fitness journey” with HITZone’s proprietary equipment, Cain has focused on a niche that has allowed for exponential, international growth. Growth is much more than just a buzzword in this case; three-times as many members joined last December compared to previous years, and HITZone’s customer base now varies from teenagers, all the way up to guests in their mid-70s. 
But what is this alternative fitness journey, and why has it attracted so many individuals previously averse to working out? And how will Cain continue on his journey towards motivating one million guests? Find out on this instalment of the Global Franchise Podcast. 
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Why Croatia should be your next international market, with Dr. Sc. Ljiljana Kukec of the Croatian Franchise Association

When brands look to enter the European franchise market, they often turn to the likes of the U.K., Germany, or France as first points of contact. However, while these regions are undoubtedly good choices, it would be a mistake to miss out on a potential goldmine of opportunity: Croatia. 
With 85 per cent foreign franchise brands, this country’s franchising industry is no stranger to international investment. And with a prestigious Association in place since 2002, the Croatian business community is well versed in all things franchising. 
On this episode, we speak with Doctor of Sciences Ljiljana Kukec, PhD, president of the Croatian Franchise Association, about why Croatia remains an exciting emerging market for international investment, and how franchisors should tackle that all important initial market entry. 
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Everything you need to know about Wendy’s launching in the U.K., with Paul Hilder of Wendy’s

Whether you know it for its iconic square hamburgers or Twitter clapbacks, Wendy’s is a beloved restaurant brand that has taken the world by storm. Founded in Columbus, Ohio in the United States in 1969, the brand has now grown to a truly global name with some of the strongest brand recognition in the game. 
This year, Wendy’s will bring its high-quality, fan-favorite food and proven franchise system to the U.K., with an initial launch in Reading and subsequent development throughout the country. But with the world still gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, and uncertainty as a result, how will this established brand tackle the U.K. market entry? 
On this episode, we speak with Paul Hilder, SVP and managing director, Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada and United Kingdom, about how the brand is taking its biggest achievements from North America and transposing them across the pond. 
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