Field Coach Experts Podcast

AC Inc.

If you’re a COO, VP of Ops, or franchise field leader, this podcast is for you. Each week, Field Coach Experts shares bold insights and real-world strategies to level up field support, boost franchisee engagement, and increase profitability. Hosted by Angela Coté and Jen Brannon of AC Inc., expect unfiltered conversations with industry leaders and certified coaches. No fluff—just tools to prove ROI and drive results. Powered by AC Inc.’s Strategic Growth Coaching Framework and Field Coach Certification.

  1. 6h ago

    Ep 43. Why Franchisees Lose Momentum | Creating a Culture of Accountability

    Why do some franchisees start strong but struggle to maintain momentum? It's a common belief in franchising. After all, franchisees chose to invest in a business. Shouldn't they naturally stay motivated, follow through on commitments, and hold themselves accountable? According to Christina Chambers, Chief Franchise Officer at DOXA Talent, it's not that simple. In this episode of the Field Coach Experts Podcast, Angela Coté sits down with Christina Chambers to discuss how accountability, coaching capability, and intentional support systems drive stronger franchisee performance and healthier franchise systems. With more than 25 years of franchise experience, Christina has seen both sides of franchise support. She has witnessed the difference between brands that simply answer questions and brands that intentionally coach franchisees toward growth. When DOXA Talent launched its franchise program, Christina made the decision to build a coaching framework before signing franchisees, creating a culture of accountability from day one. You will learn: • Why accountability should be viewed as support, not pressure • The difference between coaching franchisees and simply answering questions • How reactive support creates dependency and limits growth • Why franchisees lose motivation and how coaches can help them regain momentum • How vision planning and action tracking strengthen follow-through • What great franchise support looks like from an executive leadership perspective • Why emerging brands should invest in coaching capability early • How accountability drives franchisee performance, engagement, validation, and growth Christina also shares how one of DOXA's first franchisees cited the company's coaching infrastructure as a key reason they decided to join the brand, reinforcing the value of building support systems before they become necessary. If you're a franchisor, franchise executive, field coach, or franchise support leader looking to improve franchisee engagement and performance, this episode will challenge the way you think about accountability and support. Learn more about DOXA Talent, connecting growing businesses with high-performing global talent, at doxatalent.com. Learn more at fieldcoachexperts.com.

    41 min
  2. Jun 1

    Ep 42. Stop Chasing Franchisees | Accountability Without Micromanagement

    Why do so many franchisees resist accountability and what happens when accountability is viewed as support instead of pressure? When people hear the word accountability, they often think of micromanagement, criticism, or someone checking up on them. But in high-performing franchise systems, accountability looks very different. In this episode of the Field Coach Experts Podcast, Angela Coté, Founder and CEO of AC Inc., and Jennifer Brannon, Chief Growth Officer at AC Inc., explore why accountability is one of the most misunderstood concepts in franchising and how the right approach helps franchisees stay focused, motivated, and committed to growth. You will learn: Why accountability often gets confused with micromanagement How accountability creates clarity, focus, and stronger business results Why franchisees are more likely to follow through when goals are tied to what they truly want The difference between holding someone accountable and creating dependency How coaches can use questions instead of instructions to create ownership Why follow-through is one of the fastest ways to build trust and credibility What role franchisors play in creating a culture of accountability How accountability helps franchisees move from intention to action and from action to growth Angela and Jen also discuss the responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees, the dangers of coaching dependency, and why accountability works best when it is rooted in trust, clarity, and genuine support. If your franchisees struggle with follow-through, your coaches feel like they're constantly chasing action items, or accountability conversations feel uncomfortable, this episode will help you rethink what accountability really means and how to use it to drive better performance across your system. Sponsored by Permit Pros, helping franchise brands and business owners simplify the permitting process, avoid costly delays, and move projects forward with confidence. From start to approval, Permit Pros helps take the stress out of permits so you can stay focused on growth. Learn more at fieldcoachexperts.com

    36 min
  3. May 25

    Ep 41. You Don’t Have to Be a CFO | Coaching Financial Confidence in Franchising

    Why do financial conversations feel so intimidating for franchisees and coaches? For many franchisees, financials feel tied to judgment, shame, or the fear of not understanding the numbers. And for coaches, there is often pressure to show up as the expert with all the answers. In this episode of the Field Coach Experts Podcast, Jennifer Brannon, Chief Growth Officer at AC Inc., is joined by Abe Dunaway to unpack how coaches can remove fear from financial conversations and help franchisees build real confidence using their numbers. With more than 15 years in franchise operations, Abe brings deep experience in leadership, training, performance-driven operations, and franchisee support. He shares lessons from his own journey learning financials, how Profit Soup helped shape his approach, and why curiosity is often more valuable than technical expertise when coaching franchisees. You will learn: Why franchisees often avoid financial conversations and what is really driving that fear Why coaches do not need to be financial experts to create value How curiosity creates stronger coaching conversations and better franchisee ownership The difference between interpreting numbers for franchisees and helping them interpret their own business What kinds of questions lead to better thinking and stronger decision-making How to simplify financial coaching without oversimplifying the business Why financials should be used as a conversation tool, not a weapon How AC Inc. uses performance groups and business boot camps to build financial confidence in franchise systems This episode is a practical look at how coaches can move from intimidating financial conversations to productive, empowering discussions that help franchisees make better decisions over time. If your coaches avoid financial conversations, your franchisees feel overwhelmed by their numbers, or financial coaching feels more complicated than it should, this episode will help you approach it differently. Learn more at fieldcoachexperts.com Learn more about Profit Soup at profitsoup.com

    34 min
  4. May 18

    Ep 40. What Are Your Franchisee Financials Really Telling You? | A Coaching Conversation with Damian MacInnis

    Why do financial conversations feel so uncomfortable for franchisees and what can coaches learn from the numbers beyond profitability? Financials are not just reports. They tell a story about behavior, habits, decision-making, confidence, and sometimes avoidance. In this episode of the Field Coach Experts Podcast, Jennifer Brannon, Chief Growth Officer at AC Inc., is joined by Damian MacInnis to unpack how franchise coaches can use financial data to uncover root issues, build trust, and help franchisees make better business decisions. Damian shares lessons from his experience as an entrepreneur, consultant, and Regional Business Coach with Paul Davis Canada, along with how AC Inc.’s Field Coach Certification changed the way he approaches coaching conversations. You will learn: Why franchisees often avoid financial conversations and what is really behind that resistance How financials reveal patterns in leadership, operations, habits, and decision-making Why numbers are often symptoms of deeper operational or behavioral issues How to coach franchisees through financial conversations without creating defensiveness The difference between consulting and coaching in franchise support Why trust and curiosity matter more than jumping to solutions How to use financial metrics to guide better conversations and stronger accountability What Damian learned through AC Inc.’s Field Coach Certification and how it changed his coaching approach This episode is a practical look at how field coaches can move beyond reviewing spreadsheets and start using financials as a coaching tool that builds ownership, confidence, and profitability. If your franchisees are overwhelmed by their numbers, avoiding financial conversations, or struggling to connect operational decisions to profitability, this episode will help you approach coaching differently. Learn more at fieldcoachexperts.com Learn more about Paul Davis Canada at pauldavis.ca

    40 min
  5. May 11

    Ep 39. Why Franchisees Are Scared of Financials | Building Confidence With Numbers

    Why do franchisees avoid their numbers and what does it cost a franchise system when they do? Most franchisees did not get into business because they love financial statements. But avoiding the numbers creates blind spots that impact profitability, growth, and long-term business value. In this episode of the Field Coach Experts Podcast, Angela Coté is joined by Barbara Nuss, CPA and Founder of Profit Soup, to unpack how franchisors can build real financial confidence across their systems and help franchisees use their numbers to make better decisions. You will learn: Why franchisees often avoid financial conversations and what is really behind it Why financial fluency starts with culture, structure, and leadership How franchisors can connect KPIs and financial reporting to real business goals Why field teams need financial training just as much as franchisees The difference between reviewing numbers and coaching with them How benchmarking and financial visibility create better accountability and ownership Why financial conversations should focus on behavior and decision-making, not just reports How franchisors can help franchisees build enterprise value instead of simply owning a job Why exit planning conversations should start much earlier than most franchisors think and how reframing them as wealth-building changes franchisee buy-in If your franchisees are submitting numbers but not truly using them to run stronger businesses, this episode will help you rethink how financial coaching happens inside your system. Learn more about Profit Soup at profitsoup.com Learn more at fieldcoachexperts.com

    34 min

About

If you’re a COO, VP of Ops, or franchise field leader, this podcast is for you. Each week, Field Coach Experts shares bold insights and real-world strategies to level up field support, boost franchisee engagement, and increase profitability. Hosted by Angela Coté and Jen Brannon of AC Inc., expect unfiltered conversations with industry leaders and certified coaches. No fluff—just tools to prove ROI and drive results. Powered by AC Inc.’s Strategic Growth Coaching Framework and Field Coach Certification.