The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn
  • 5.0 (32)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day. Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community. By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast. In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations. Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon provide actionable advice and inspiration.  Tune in to learn from the experiences of others, gain new perspectives, and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your franchising journey with confidence. Join us on "The Franchise Leaders Forum" and become part of a community dedicated to leadership, growth, and success in franchising. This podcast will provide answers to questions and topics like:  Tips for Franchisees, Franchisors and vendor partnersHow to scale a franchise businessWhy is leadership important in franchising?How do I grow my franchise business?What are the trends in franchising?What is the challenge of franchising?How do I get involved in a franchise business?Franchise success storiesFranchise marketing strategies

  1. 4h ago

    When Franchise Leaders Need to Get Out of Their Own Way w/ Kristopher Stuart

    What happens when the systems you've built to support your franchisees start getting in the way of their success? Kristopher Stuart, CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds, knows that leading a growing franchise requires more than strong systems and a clear vision. Sometimes it means admitting you're wrong, challenging the way things have always been done, and recognizing when it's time to get out of your franchisees' way. Kristopher's journey from the company's very first employee to CEO was more than two decades in the making. He helped grow the window coverings business his mother founded while also serving as a firefighter and paramedic, developing a leadership philosophy rooted in service, trust, and a willingness to keep learning.  In this episode, Kristopher gets candid about the mistakes Bloomin’ Blinds made in its early franchising years, why emerging brands can't always operate like established franchise systems, and the importance of knowing when to hold the line and when to embrace change. He also shares how the company's core values guide its culture, why doing what's right for customers builds lasting trust, and how putting franchisee success ahead of personal pride can make you a stronger leader. Connect with Kristopher: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisbloomin/ Text: 972-510-3110 Bloomin’ Blinds: https://www.bloominblinds.com/ Episode Highlights: Growing a family business with three brothersLessons Kristopher carried from firefighting into franchisingWhy emerging franchisors need to rethink rigid systems What young franchise brands have to earn as they growKnowing when to hold the line and when to change itPutting franchisee success ahead of franchisor prideHow values stay consistent even as culture evolvesBuilding a franchise around service and trustWhy franchisees and franchisors share responsibilityThe role of continuous learning in franchise leadership Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  2. Oct 14

    Why Simplicity Is the Secret to Scaling a Franchise w/ Tim Vogel

    What happens when you scale a business before you've actually solved the problems hiding inside it? Scenthound Co-founder and CEO Tim Vogel didn't rush into franchising. After starting with a single mobile grooming van, he spent years testing different models, solving staffing challenges and figuring out what could actually be repeated at scale. One of his biggest breakthroughs came when he realized the bottleneck in traditional grooming wasn't something he needed to work around, it was something he could remove entirely. That shift helped turn Scenthound from a local pet care business into a national franchise with more than 170 locations and roughly 200 more in development.  In this episode, Tim shares why simplicity is at the heart of scalability, what years of experimentation taught him about knowing when a business is ready to grow and what years of experimentation taught him about knowing when a business is ready to grow and why scaling means scaling the problems right along with what's working. He also breaks down how Scenthound uses daily huddles to keep its mission and values alive across a rapidly growing organization, why its career path naturally fuels multi-unit growth and how his own role has evolved from wearing every hat to becoming what he calls the "tuning fork" for the organization. Tim also gets candid about building Scenthound alongside his wife and co-founder Jessica, bringing on an investment partner when the company needed competency more than capital and why new franchise owners need to understand their business from the ground up before they ever expect it to run without them. Connect with Tim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timvogel/ Website: https://www.scenthound.com/ Franchising: https://scenthoundfranchising.com/ Daily Huddle Sheet: Why we do a daily huddle? It’s simple: to connect and align as a badass winning team. Structure of huddle: The Scenthound daily huddle agenda Recite the Scenthound North Star and describe its meaning to you or read a customer review. What you did yesterday to move a rock forward. What am I going to do today to move a rock forward. Where are you stuck? Who do you need to be in communication with? Any area where you are experiencing struggle and effort (Goal- Identify where you need support) One thing for which you are grateful.Values shout out! Acknowledge someone on the team including yourself for exemplifying a Scenthound value. Why we recite and describe the Scenthound North Star? This is our what and our why. Whoever recites and describes it, needs to really generate it and we all need to listen intently. Inspire us and give us a reason to show up today. It can be a story about how we helped a dog live a little better. It can be a great customer review. It can be about how a dog impacted someone’s life in a positive way. Pick something that means something to you personally. If you find yourself going “blah, blah, blah” either telling it or listening to it, that’s a clue that you aren’t present. No worries. It happens to the best of us. Just get present again and take it on. The way you show up on the huddle is for you and everyone on the team so show up as an A Player. The huddle is meant to me succinct therefore it takes prep. No BABBLING. If you aren’t spending a minute or two preparing for the huddle you are showing up as a B player at best. Prepare. It literally takes :30 seconds to a couple of minutes. What you did yesterday to move a rock forward. – This is not a recap of your day this is about completing the Rocks. Use this to share a win about how you are making big things happen. We want to hear these things. What am I going to do today to move a rock forward. Again. FOCUS - not your list of to-dos for the day. What’s the thing that’s going to have the biggest impact? If you were able to only do one thing today, what would it be? Where are you stuck? Who do you need to be in communication with? Any area where you are experiencing struggle and effort (Goal- Identify where you need support). Be honest here. Dig deep. Share something you are grateful for - Anything/everything you want to share. We want to hear it. Values Shout Out! Catch someone living the Scenthound values. If you don’t know the Scenthound values, learn them. BE THEM! Episode Highlights: Tim's leap from corporate operations to mobile dog groomingSolving the staffing problem that was limiting growthTurning a business bottleneck into a competitive advantageCreating a new category around routine dog hygiene and wellnessWhy Scenthound spent years testing its model before franchisingWhat happens when you scale problems along with successWhy simplicity and repeatability are essential for scalabilityUsing daily huddles to create alignment and reinforce cultureHow career development drives Scenthound's multi-unit growthHow Tim's role as CEO has evolved as the company has scaledBuilding a business with your spouse and staying in your laneWhy Scenthound brought on an investment partnerTim's advice for first-time franchise owners Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  3. Sep 30

    How to Grow a Franchise Without Losing Franchisee Trust w/ Kim Gubera

    Franchise growth isn’t sustainable if your franchisees don’t trust the people leading it. As a franchise grows, maintaining that trust becomes more complicated. Leaders have to navigate difficult feedback, changing expectations and sometimes major transitions without losing the confidence of the franchise owners they’re asking to grow alongside them. In this episode, Kim Gubera shares how listening to franchisees, following through on promises and consistently communicating have helped strengthen trust across the PIRTEK system. She also takes us behind the scenes of leading franchisees through a major ownership transition, why strong culture matters for sustainable growth and what she believes really makes a successful franchise owner. Kim brings more than 20 years of franchising experience to her role as President and CEO of PIRTEK USA. She joined PIRTEK in 2016 and stepped into the CEO role in 2019. Under her leadership, PIRTEK has grown its unit count by more than 92% in the past five years while building a culture centered on mutual trust and respect.  Connect with Kim:  PIRTEK USA: https://www.pirtekusa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-gubera-12850513/ Resources: A CEO Only Does Three Things by Trey Taylor Episode Highlights: Kim’s path from accounting and finance to franchise CEOThe role mentorship played in her franchise careerLeading a technical franchise without being the technical expertWhat really makes a successful franchise ownerUsing franchisee feedback to strengthen cultureBuilding mutual trust and respect with franchiseesWhy following through on promises mattersMaintaining franchisee confidence through an ownership transitionWhy culture is essential for sustainable franchise growthWomen succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated industry  Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  4. Sep 16

    How to Build a Franchise That Gets Stronger as It Grows w/ Meg Roberts

    Growth doesn't automatically make a franchise stronger. What you build behind that growth does. After more than two decades in franchising, Meg Roberts has seen what it takes to grow brands at every stage. Today, as CEO of Head to Toe Brands, she leads a multi-brand beauty platform with more than 200 locations. In this episode, Meg shares why strong franchisee relationships, the right support systems, and a team you can trust become even more important as a brand grows. She also gets candid about the realities emerging franchisors often underestimate, from the time and capital required to scale to the increasing demands placed on leadership. Meg also takes us behind the scenes of multi-brand growth and explains why adding brands only works when franchisees can see and feel the value. Sustainable franchise growth isn't just about adding more locations. It's about building an organization that can support them. Connect with Meg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megroberts73/ Email: meg.roberts@httbrands.com Head to Toes: https://httbrands.com/ Resources: Know Your Value by Mika Brzezinski  How Radical Transparency Turned a Franchise Around w/ Dustin Hansen -  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/16165725-how-radical-transparency-turned-a-franchise-around-w-dustin-hansen Episode Highlights: Building a franchise that gets stronger as it growsWhy people and relationships drive franchise successCreating the right balance between franchisee input and leadershipWhen and how to establish a franchise advisory councilThe realities emerging franchisors often underestimateBuilding a team that can support franchise growthScaling from a single brand to a multi-brand platformDelivering real value as a franchise organization growsLeading with confidence through growth and change Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  5. Sep 2

    What It Really Takes to Lead a Fast-Growing Franchise w/ Doug Flaig

    Growing a franchise quickly is one thing. Leading it through that growth is another.  Doug Flaig knows what rapid franchise growth looks like. As CEO of Stratus Clean, he has helped lead the brand through record-breaking expansion, growing to more than 5,000 unit franchisees and earning recognition as Entrepreneur’s fastest-growing franchise for four consecutive years. But as Doug shares in this episode, scaling a franchise successfully takes much more than selling more units. Doug joins Tracy and Shannon to talk about the franchise leadership behind that growth, from choosing the right franchisees and building scalable systems to strengthening communication and supporting franchisee success. He also shares why great franchise leaders need to lead through influence rather than authority, how Stratus knows when it’s time to tap the brakes on growth, and the lessons more than 30 years in franchising have taught him about building a strong franchise system.  Connect with Doug: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougflaig/ Website: https://www.stratusclean.com/ Resource: Leadership and Self-Deception - The Arbinger Institute Episode Highlights: Leading through rapid franchise growthWhy influence matters in franchise leadershipThe Stratus Clean three-tier franchise modelChoosing the right franchisees for your systemSales training and technology at scaleBuilding systems that support franchise growthCommunication and transparency with franchiseesKnowing when to slow down growthPeer-to-peer learning and franchisee mentorshipThe importance of mentorship in franchising Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  6. Aug 19

    Your Franchise Is Making Money. But Is It Profitable? w/ Rod Bristol

    You can have money in the bank and still have no idea whether your franchise is actually profitable. For many franchise owners, financial literacy isn't something they learned before going into business or during onboarding. They may know their revenue, watch their bank balance, and have a bookkeeper handling the numbers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they understand what their P&L is telling them or how to use that information to spot problems early instead of reacting after it's too late.  In this episode, leading financial educator and Certified Franchise Executive, and creator of the Profitability Playbook, Rod Bristol shares what he's learned from decades of helping franchise owners understand the numbers behind their businesses. Rod explains why making money doesn't always mean your business is profitable, the four ways every business can improve profitability, and why understanding concepts like break-even and contribution margin, alongside healthy cash flow management, can completely change the way an owner operates their business. Rod also shares why financial education should begin during franchisee onboarding, what franchisors can learn by looking closely at unit-level profitability, and the simple monthly habit he sees among the most profitable business owners. You'll also hear the story of franchisees who went from struggling with profitability to operating five million-dollar locations, and why Rod believes understanding your numbers gives you the ability to make better decisions, grow intentionally, and build a more valuable business. Connect with Rod: Email: Rodbristol@icloud.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-bristol-cfe-a72167163/ Text/Call: 206-742-3443 Rod’s Book Recommendations: The Martian by Andy Weir Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Episode Highlights: Why revenue doesn't always equal profitabilityUnderstanding your P&L and financial statementsWhy financial literacy should start during onboardingThe importance of franchisee unit economicsWhen poor profitability signals a broken franchise modelThe four ways to improve profitabilityUsing break-even and contribution margin to make decisionsWhy franchisors need to focus beyond the top lineThe monthly financial habit of profitable ownersMaking proactive decisions before financial problems grow  Resources: Leadership Lessons from Jo Kirchner on Perfection, Progress & Community - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/15909664-leadership-lessons-from-jo-kirchner-on-perfection-progress-and-community Leading with Passion, Purpose & Loyalty w/ Paul Pickett - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/17267486-leading-with-passion-purpose-loyalty-w-paul-pickett          Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  7. Aug 5

    Why Engaged Franchisees Outperform Everyone Else w/ Barb Moran

    What separates the highest-performing franchisees from everyone else? Barb Moran believes it starts with something many leaders don't measure closely enough: franchisee engagement.  Many franchisors focus on growing their systems, but long-term success depends on something far less obvious: building franchisees who are fully engaged in the business and invested in the success of the entire brand. In this episode, Barb Moran, CEO of Moran Family of Brands, shares why engagement has become one of the strongest predictors of profitability inside her organization and how intentionally building the right culture helps franchisees embrace change, collaborate with one another, and build stronger businesses. Barb also reflects on her journey from being told she would never lead her family's company because she was a woman to ultimately becoming CEO and expanding the business into Canada. Along the way, she shares practical lessons on succession planning, building core values that shape everyday decisions, creating meaningful collaboration between franchisees, and helping owners become active contributors to the success of the entire system. Whether you're launching a franchise brand or leading an established system, this conversation offers practical strategies for building stronger franchise relationships, increasing engagement, and creating sustainable, long-term growth. Connect with Barb: Email: BMoran@moranbrands.com Website: https://moranfamilyofbrands.com/ Episode Highlights: Why franchisee engagement drives profitabilityMeasuring franchisee engagement and accountabilityBuilding a franchise culture around the DRIVE core valuesCreating collaboration through peer groups and town hallsGrowing up in the family business and becoming CEOBuying the family business and navigating successionEmbracing AI and technology as opportunities for growthExpanding Moran Family of Brands into CanadaPreserving culture during acquisitions and growthLeadership advice for both franchisors and franchisees Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

  8. Jul 22

    Why Franchisee Success Should Come Before Franchise Growth w/ Amrit Dhaliwal

    Every franchisor dreams of selling more territories. Few stop to ask whether they're building a franchise system their franchisees can actually succeed in. Every emerging franchisor wants to grow their brand, expand into new markets, and welcome new franchisees. But growth without the right systems, support, and profitability can create problems that are much harder to fix later. In this episode, Amrit Dhaliwal shares why he's intentionally choosing slower, more sustainable growth while building a rapidly growing home care franchise brand in the UK. After starting as a franchisee with no industry experience, he learned firsthand how mentorship, strong systems, and putting franchisees first can make all the difference. You'll also hear why franchisee profitability should come before franchise growth, how a learner's mindset has shaped his leadership, and why the strongest franchise brands measure success by the impact they create, not simply the number of locations they open. Amrit Dhaliwal is CEO and founder of Walfinch, one of the UK’s fastest-growing home care franchise networks with 30+ territories nationwide. A former franchisee turned franchisor, he’s the author of Time to Thrive: The Home Care Revolution and host of the Walking With Walfinch podcast. Amrit has been named in the Social Care Top 30 and recognised as Emerging Franchisor of the Year. So, if you're ready to build a stronger franchise by putting franchisee success before franchise growth, this episode is for you. Connect with Amrit:  Franchise opportunities: https://walfinchfranchising.com Home care services: https://walfinch.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amrit-dhaliwal-a436445b Episode Highlights: Why franchisee success should come before franchise growthBuilding a sustainable franchise through intentional growthLessons learned from becoming a franchisee with no industry experienceHow mentorship shaped Amrit's leadership journeyMeasuring franchise success by impact, not unit count Why curiosity and continuous learning make better franchise leadersBalancing entrepreneurship, family, and long-term successThe power of putting people before profits Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/        JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

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About

Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day. Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community. By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast. In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations. Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon provide actionable advice and inspiration.  Tune in to learn from the experiences of others, gain new perspectives, and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your franchising journey with confidence. Join us on "The Franchise Leaders Forum" and become part of a community dedicated to leadership, growth, and success in franchising. This podcast will provide answers to questions and topics like:  Tips for Franchisees, Franchisors and vendor partnersHow to scale a franchise businessWhy is leadership important in franchising?How do I grow my franchise business?What are the trends in franchising?What is the challenge of franchising?How do I get involved in a franchise business?Franchise success storiesFranchise marketing strategies

Information

  • Creator
    Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

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