Franchise Empires The Wolf, A Workweek Friend

What’s the latest Twitter beef with an army of minions going to war for Gas Biz Guy? Is it a joke or is there legitimate beef behind the brawl?  
Join The Wolf as he sits down with viral Twitter personality Gas Biz Guy (aka Chris Hellgeth), a self-made entrepreneur who turned a ten-cent cigarette sale into a $100 million-a-year gas distribution business. They break down the secrets to success in the gas station industry, including the importance of value, experience, and building a strong brand.
Discover how the Gas Biz Guy built his business from the ground up, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities along the way. From cashing checks to gas station ownership, he shares his entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable insights for aspiring business owners.
The Gas Biz Guy also peels back the curtain on the little-known gas and convenience store industry, unpacking the unique synergy between quick-serve restaurants and gas stations and exploring the opportunities they can provide potential investors.  
And later, he and the Wolf dive into the evolving trends in the convenience store industry, from the rise of novelty energy drinks to the increasing focus on customer experience. Find out how higher-margin locations are expanding their margins by providing a clean environment and excellent customer service.
 
 
00:00:00 - Gas Station Enthusiast Dominates Twitter
00:04:14 - From a 10 Cent Cigarette Sale to a $100 Million Success
00:08:26 - Solving the Unbankable Population Issue
00:12:14 - Gas Stations: Profit from Convenience, Not Gas
00:15:22 - Gas Station Industry's Value Proposition
00:20:15 - Buying from Distributors: Convenience Store Margins
00:24:32 - Cooler Products Dominate Market Growth
00:25:47 - Synergy Between Gas Stations and Restaurants
 
Follow Gas Biz Guy:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gas_biz
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!
 

How did a West Point flight school graduate become the founder of 79 optical stores across the US? Bill Noble, Pearle Vision’s largest multi-unit franchise owner, joins the pod to chat with the Wolf about his fascinating journey from sitting in the cockpit to building a nationwide franchise empire.  
From his early days at Harrah's Entertainment to his transition into the retail industry, Bill shares valuable insights on leadership, partnership, and the challenges of growing a franchise business. Discover how his military background and experience in the gaming industry shaped his approach to leadership and motivated him to start his own franchise.
Bill discusses the importance of maintaining a true partnership between franchisors and franchisees and reveals how honest feedback and open communication contribute to the growth and success of a franchise organization.
He and the Wolf dissect the strategies and considerations involved in acquisitions and growth and uncover how market conditions and lending criteria can impact a franchise's expansion plans.
Whether you're a seasoned franchise owner or considering starting your own business, gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and intricacies of building a successful franchise empire.
 
00:00:23 - Military Veteran's Journey to Retail
00:03:27 - First Leadership Role Outside Military
00:05:42 - Transitioning Leadership Skills from Gaming
00:08:11 - From Lenscrafters Employee to Franchise Owner
00:15:12 - Navigating Pressure as a CEO
00:18:31 - Converting Corporate Locations to Pearle Visions
00:21:21 - Transitioning from Corporate CEO to Franchise Leader
00:24:37 - Navigating Growth in Changing Markets
00:29:38 - Approaching Leadership as a Franchise Owner
00:38:07 - Balancing Personal Identity in Competitive Organizations
00:45:27 - Franchise Concept Evolves into Partnership
 
Follow Bill: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamnoble1/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Deb Merrill had no idea she was destined for franchise management until her brother-in-law asked if she’d be interested in running a Jimmy John’s. Realizing that stage management wasn’t the dream job she had hoped it would be, Deb left her theater career behind for the food service industry.
In this candid conversation with the Wolf, Deb opens up about her rise from the bottom of the food chain to the top of the Jimmy John’s game. How did she take the dive into franchising with zero experience in the industry and eventually open 12 different locations? And what was it really like working with family?  
Deb also shares her wisdom into the daily rewards and challenges of running a Jimmy John’s franchise from the physical demands of the job to the importance of finding the right team members. What should the structure and setup of a fair franchise agreement look like? And what’s the importance of maintaining positive relationships with franchisees?
Plus, learn about the early days of Jimmy John's, including the impact of the economic crash in 2008 and the struggles of balancing construction schedules and employee training. What kinds of unique opportunities does Jimmy John’s provide for franchise owners?
Tune in now to find out!
 
Workstream is the all in one tool for restaurants to run their HR, hiring, and payroll operations. Trusted by over 25,000 restaurant locations, Workstream is the people management tool built for managing hourly workers.
Visit http://www.workstream.us/thewolf to learn more!

00:00:00 - Transitioning from Theater to Fast Food Franchise
00:03:06 - Navigating Responsibility and Control in Business
00:04:35 - Balancing Construction and Opening Schedules
00:07:03 - Corporate Training at Jimmy John's
00:08:47 - Opening Two Stores in Six Months
00:14:41 - Arranging Fair Structures for Collaborations
00:15:48 - Navigating Family Business Dynamics Successfully
00:18:59 - 16 Years of Steady Store Growth
00:21:57 - Expanding Store Locations: A Timeline
 
Workstream is the all-in-one tool for restaurants to run their HR, hiring, and payroll operations. Trusted by over 25,000 restaurant locations, Workstream is the people management tool built for managing hourly workers.
Visit http://www.workstream.us/thewolf to learn more!
 
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!
 

Drew Gressett’s sitting down with the Wolf to discuss his personal journey in the restaurant industry—from his journey founding Hat Creek Burger Company to owning 60+ Zaxby’s.
Hear Hat Creek Burger Company’s humble origin story—from starting as a food truck in 2008 to now having 26 brick-and-mortar locations, Drew shares the challenges and triumphs of scaling his business. He shares how building a strong restaurant management team and securing financing helped fuel his exponential growth.
What are the unique dynamics of running both independent restaurants and franchise locations? And does Drew have plans to expand into other franchise brands or industries in the future?
Tune in now to find out!
 
00:00:23 - From Food Truck to Restaurant Success
00:07:13 - Lessons Learned from Hat Creek's Expansion
00:08:10 - Growing Hat Creek to 26 Locations
00:15:12 - Expanding the Zaxby's Franchise Portfolio
00:18:23 - Scaling Hat Creek 
00:20:37 - Building a Strong Restaurant Management Team
00:24:36 - Leveraging Seller Financing for Growth
00:28:56 - Franchise Friction: Running Own vs. Franchise
00:33:03 - Exploring New Franchise Opportunities and Industries
00:34:37 - New Builds vs. Acquisitions: Pros and Cons
 
Learn More About Zaxby’s:
Website: https://www.zaxbys.com/franchise
 
Learn More About Hat Creek Burger Company:
Website: https://hatcreekburgers.com/who-we-are
 
Follow Drew: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-gressett-96891621a/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

You’ll never be able to operate 90+ franchises if your first franchise isn’t golden to begin with. Take it from Adam Saxton, operator of over 90+ McAlister’s Delis and co-CEO/Owner of the Saxton Group. With territories in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, Adam chats with the Wolf about his unusual philosophy for franchise expansion, including a unique organic unit model development approach entailing zero acquisitions.
With over 20 years in the fast-casual space, Adam reveals why he remains optimistic about the ROI potential in this industry and explains how his family's background in restaurant franchising influenced his decision to join McAlister's Deli. How has he managed to maintain slow and steady growth since his first bought unit in 1999?
Discover the importance of building a strong culture and brand within your organization, and how investing in internal development leads to long-term success. Adam discusses the growth opportunities that come with expanding your franchise and the value of promoting from within.
Plus, what are Adam’s perspectives on investment levels and the potential return on capital for first-time franchisees?
Tune in now to find out! 
 
00:00:00 - Locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas
00:00:30 - Adam Joins Family Restaurant Business
00:08:17 - Organic Growth Strategy of the Saxton Group
00:11:46 - Community Outreach Boosts McAlister's Brand
00:13:34 - Fostering Growth and Opportunity at McAlister’s
00:17:13 - Franchisees Expand with New Brands
00:18:45 - Saxton Group Acquires Jaggers
00:22:29 - Staying Optimistic in the Fast Casual Industry
00:26:49 - Investment Returns for New Franchisees
00:32:54 - Room to Grow for McAlister’s
 
Follow Adam: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgsaxton/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Buckle up because the Wolf is taking another stab at your best Twitter questions in this solo question-and-answer pod.
Should you be able to negotiate a franchise agreement? If so, how much of an agreement is negotiable, or are most franchise agreements a take-it-or-leave-it proposition? 
Then the Wolf uncovers his #1 recommendation for back-office franchisee solutions (hint: it’s a software that’s near and dear to his heart), before dissecting the differences between chains and franchises.  
Plus, who will win the Nashville Chicken Wars? Or do all chicken franchises come out the loser if the market has hit its peak saturation point? 
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
And for exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!