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
Host: Michelle Rowan, President, Franchise Business Review
Guest: Paul Kuskowski, IRS Enrolled Agent and Founder of Cobalt Tax Services
Making the leap from employee to franchise owner means more than swapping a paycheck for a P&L — it means rethinking how you find business, manage cash flow, and structure your company from day one. In this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan sits down w...
Which Franchises Can Weather a Downturn? FBR's 2026 Recession-Resistant List
With economic uncertainty on everyone's mind, Michelle Rowan sits down with Allison Dudas to unpack Franchise Business Review's 2026 list of the Top 50 Recession-Resistant Franchises. Built from survey data on nearly 29,000 franchisees across 330 brands, the list highlights companies positioned to hold steady — or even grow — whe...
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review
Guests; Toni King and Audrey Ryder, Multi-Unit Franchisees from YogaSix
Two elite athletes. One shared love of yoga. Seven studios and counting. On this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan talks with Audrey Ryder and Toni King about trading a rowing career and a black belt in Taekwondo for life as YogaSix franchise owners.
They walk throu...
Michelle is joined by multi-unit Taco John's franchisee Tamra Kennedy to discuss whether the American Franchise Act is good for franchisees.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTube
Summary
This episode explores the American Franchise Act and why it matters for franchisees, franchisors, and anyone considering franchise ownership. Tam Kennedy shares her decades of experience in franchising, offeri...
From a scrappy startup to the top of Franchise Business Review's satisfaction rankings for over a decade, Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb has cracked the code on franchising. He joins Franchise Business Review's founder Eric Stites to break down the real numbers behind mobile franchising and why he still obsesses over franchisee happiness. You won't want to miss this founder-to-founder conversation.
Resources
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review
Guest: Allison Dudas, Senior Marketing Manager of Franchise Business Review
What makes a franchise truly innovative, and how can you tell before you invest? Michelle and Allison Dudas break down FBR's 50 Most Innovative Franchises of 2026 and reveal the signals that separate forward-thinking brands from the rest. They unpack the data behind the list, inc...
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 h...
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review
Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands
Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the questions c...
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 industry is not only recession-resistant but also a hidden goldmine for entrepreneurs willing to manage people, build relationships, and implement proven systems. Learn why...
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 franchisee satisfaction scores thanks to FBR's market research.
This episode breaks down the characteristics of the most profitable brands of the year and what you should ...
Host: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBR
Guest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window Cleaning
This episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill Kesler, a franchisee from Fish Window Cleaning, as the guest. They discuss the increasing role of women in franchising, highlighting that women now own about a third of all franchises. Jill...
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 strategic approach and operational systems turned a stagnant business into a thriving enterprise, even amidst COVID chaos.In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to i...
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 for their positive culture, emphasizing that culture is not just about corporate strategy but also about fostering supportive relationships among franchisees. They explore how...
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 from Benetrends, highlighting the importance of understanding your financial landscape and the benefits of working with a fund...
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 into the complexities of marketing within franchising. They explore the importance of understanding brand funds, the role of marketing in franchise success, and the need for tra...
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 differences between the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement itself. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding territory rights, renewal ter...
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 healthcare ventures to owning a Right at Home franchise, he discovered that passion, strategic support, and community presence are the secret ingredients to thriving in in-h...
Host: Michelle Rowan, Franchise Business Review
Guest: Susan Black-Beth, Auspicious Owl
In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," hosts Michelle Rowan and Susan Black-Beth explore the impact of private equity on franchising. They discuss how private equity acquisitions can change priorities, timelines, and relationships within franchise systems. Susan, founder of Auspicious Owl Group, shares her extensive experie...
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 need franchisee satisfaction data if you're researching franchises to invest in.
- Why FBR's data is unbiased and how we keep it that way.
- What our surveying process looks like. <...
Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review
Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands
Summary
Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the ques...
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