From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

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

November 3, 2025 35 mins

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Eric Stites, Founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review

Summary of How Much Money Can You Make Owning A Franchise?

In this episode of From A to Franchisee, Michelle Rowan and Eric Stites discuss the financial aspects of owning a franchise. They address the common question of how much money one can make from franchising, sharing data from survey...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, COO and President of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Ali Kraus, CMO of Benetrends Financial and Vice Chair of IFA's Women in Franchising Committee

Episode Summary:

In this engaging podcast episode, Michelle Rowan welcomes back Ali Kraus, the first repeat guest, to discuss the evolving landscape of women in franchising. They explore the progress and challenges women face in the industry, highli...

Mark as Played
October 20, 2025 29 mins

Send us a text

In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Toni Harris-Taylor discuss the importance of diversity in franchising. Toni, a dynamic leader in the franchise world, emphasizes the need for awareness and inclusivity, debunking myths about financial barriers for minorities entering franchising. They explore the lack of representation at franchise events and the need for franchisors to engage with diverse communities. Toni shares h...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan of Franchise Business Review
Guest: Madeleine Zook, CMO of Threshold Brands and Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchisee

Summary:

In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Madeleine Zook delve into the crucial role of engaging with franchisees before committing to a franchise investment. Madeleine emphasizes that speaking with current franchisees provides invaluable insights into the realities of running a f...

Mark as Played
October 6, 2025 36 mins

Send us a text

In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Courtney Stillings discuss the complexities of franchising, focusing on the recent controversies surrounding Dickey's Barbecue. They explore the importance of transparency, the need for thorough research before investing in a franchise, and the critical role of support from franchisors. The conversation highlights the red flags potential franchisees should watch for, including ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Tom Spadea, Franchise Attorney of Spadea Lignana LLC

Episode Summary

In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and franchise attorney Tom Spadea delve into the intricacies of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). They explore its critical components, such as litigation history, initial fees, and financial performance representations, offering...

Mark as Played
September 22, 2025 38 mins

Send us a text

In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Paul Pickett delve into the essential traits that define a successful franchisee. Drawing from decades of experience, Paul shares his expertise on the importance of aligning with a brand's culture, mission, and values. They discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence, team-building, and a growth mindset in achieving long-term success. Tune in to discover how ...

Mark as Played
September 15, 2025 30 mins

Send us a text

In this episode, Michelle Rowan and Anneliese Brosch delve into the critical role of franchisee satisfaction in maintaining brand health. They explore how a strong franchisor-franchisee relationship can drive success, emphasizing the importance of trust and open communication. Discover the metrics and insights that help franchise brands thrive, and learn why understanding franchisee satisfaction is key to sustainable ...

Mark as Played
September 8, 2025 31 mins

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, President & COO of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Ali Kraus, CMO Benetrends Financial

Episode Summary:

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 challenges with confidence. Ali shares her expertise ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

If you're considering buying a franchise, knowing the benefits and drawbacks is important. 

Danielle Chaisson, owner of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Dover, NH (called My Handyman), gives her perspective on the pros and cons of franchise ownership. Danielle gives her perspective as a franchisee but also owns her own consulting business, which offers tax preparation, accounting, and financial services. 

Mr. Handyman i...

Mark as Played
August 25, 2025 26 mins

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, President & COO Franchise Business Review

Guest: Marissa Frois, CEO The Entrepreneur's Source

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we dive into the world of franchise business models with Marissa Frois, a seasoned expert from the Entrepreneur Source Organization. Discover the intricacies of franchising, from the partnership dynamics between franchisors and franchisees to the diverse opportunit...

Mark as Played
August 18, 2025 19 mins

Send us a text

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the world of franchising with Katie Ingalls, a client success manager at Franchise Business Review. Together, we unravel common myths surrounding franchising, exploring whether it's truly an industry or a business model. Discover the economic impact of franchising, the misconceptions about passive income, and the importance of local ownership. Join us as we debunk myths ...

Mark as Played
August 18, 2025 31 mins

Send us a text

Join Michelle Rowan and Mary Ann O'Connell as they explore the fundamentals of franchising. With over 40 years of experience, Mary Ann shares her journey from being Money Mailer's first franchisee to founding FranWise, a company that helps businesses become franchises. Discover the intricacies of franchise agreements, the role of the FTC, and the differences between franchising and licensing. Whether you&apo...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Host: Michelle Rowan, President and COO of Franchise Business Review

Guest: Eric Stites, Founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review

Episode Summary: The Journey of Starting Franchise Business Review

Introduction: Twenty years ago, a light bulb moment sparked the creation of Franchise Business Review. Eric Stites, then working with franchise marketing, noticed a gap in the industry: potential franchisees struggled to ge...

Mark as Played
August 5, 2025 42 secs

Send us a text

From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying. If you're thinking about investing in a franchise - or if you're an entrepreneur looking for your next move, this is the podcast for you. Michelle Rowan, the President and COO of Franchise Business Review hosts this weekly podcast.

Franchise Business Review has all the unbiased data on franchises you need. Every week, we'll spill the tea on ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders

    Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders takes you back to 1983, when two teenagers were found murdered, execution-style, on a quiet Texas hill. What followed was decades of rumors, false leads, and a case that law enforcement could never seem to close. Now, veteran investigative journalist M. William Phelps reopens the file — uncovering new witnesses, hidden evidence, and a shocking web of deaths that may all be connected. Over nine gripping episodes, Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders unravels a story 42 years in the making… and asks the question: who’s really been hiding the truth?

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.