115 episodes

Most startups are doomed to fail. But there’s an alternative route to financial freedom for hungry entrepreneurs. One that involves far less risk, far more work-life balance, and just as much profit. Franchises. Franchise Empires gives aspiring franchise owners the playbook to build a multi-unit franchise empire of their own. Every episode we hear from guests who are building their franchise empire: Franchisees who started with one unit and aren’t stopping until they get to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands more locations. Hosted by The Wolf, you’ll hear exactly how to turn your ambition into tangible actions and take your first steps up the franchise ladder. We’ll break down the steps you need to take open your first franchise, your second location and beyond, along with the many pitfalls to avoid. Wolf answers all your questions about owning and running your franchise, and interviews guests with first hand experience like Greg Flynn, the multi-billion dollar restaurant franchisee, Jamie Weeks, the largest OrangeTheory franchisee in the world who’s launching his own fitness franchise SweatHouz, and Jason McGowan, Co-founder and CEO of Crumbl cookies. Want to get started on your franchise owning journey? Tune in every Tuesday for a new episode. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Interested in participating as a guest at Franchise Empires? Submit your request here!

Franchise Empires The Wolf, A Workweek Friend

    • Business
    • 4.6 • 39 Ratings

Most startups are doomed to fail. But there’s an alternative route to financial freedom for hungry entrepreneurs. One that involves far less risk, far more work-life balance, and just as much profit. Franchises. Franchise Empires gives aspiring franchise owners the playbook to build a multi-unit franchise empire of their own. Every episode we hear from guests who are building their franchise empire: Franchisees who started with one unit and aren’t stopping until they get to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands more locations. Hosted by The Wolf, you’ll hear exactly how to turn your ambition into tangible actions and take your first steps up the franchise ladder. We’ll break down the steps you need to take open your first franchise, your second location and beyond, along with the many pitfalls to avoid. Wolf answers all your questions about owning and running your franchise, and interviews guests with first hand experience like Greg Flynn, the multi-billion dollar restaurant franchisee, Jamie Weeks, the largest OrangeTheory franchisee in the world who’s launching his own fitness franchise SweatHouz, and Jason McGowan, Co-founder and CEO of Crumbl cookies. Want to get started on your franchise owning journey? Tune in every Tuesday for a new episode. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Interested in participating as a guest at Franchise Empires? Submit your request here!

    S10 E1: Navigating Motherhood: How New Mom School Prepares Moms for Postpartum Life, with Alexandra Spitz

    S10 E1: Navigating Motherhood: How New Mom School Prepares Moms for Postpartum Life, with Alexandra Spitz

    Nothing will change after the baby comes… right?
    Err— not exactly, folks.
    But what if there was a class out there that could explain everything new moms should expect after the expecting period ends?
    From teething to nursing to working remotely and everything in between (why do baby heads always smell so good anyway?), discover how New Mom School has grown from a local mom group into a successful franchise with over eleven locations and counting.
    Founder Alexandra Spitz talks with the Wolf about New Mom School’s mission and discusses how her passion for helping women blossomed into a successful franchise opportunity.
    Plus, how does New Mom School stand out from the competition? Alexandra reveals the roles and responsibilities of franchisees at New Mom School and explains how the program offers flexibility for moms to balance work and family life.

    Imagine owning a business that genuinely transforms lives—sounds fulfilling, doesn’t it? That's what you get with F45 Training, FS8, and VAURA Pilates. 
    If you’ve ever wanted to lead a movement towards healthier living in your area, this is your chance. Visit https://www.F45training.com/invest to learn more! 
     
    00:00:51 - Expanding to Eleven Locations Successfully
    00:01:16 - Postnatal Education Company Founded Quickly
    00:13:35 - Emotional Support for Couples in Childbirth
    00:19:27 - Creating a New Mom School
    00:25:50 - Franchise World: Opportunities for Women
    00:30:44 - Franchisees Don't Need to Be Moms
    00:32:28 - New Mom School Empowers Entrepreneurs
    00:39:36 - Follow Our Journey on Socials
     
    Learn More About New Mom School:
    Website: https://newmomschool.com/franchise-opportunity/
     
    Follow Alexandra:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraspitz/
     
    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!

    • 40 min
    Tips from the Top: Expert Franchise Insights

    Tips from the Top: Expert Franchise Insights

    Why take advice from just anyone when you can hear it from the best in the biz?
    From the master of locations, Dinesh Goswami, to the mad genius behind the cult sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken, we’ve had so many master-level franchisors on the podcast this year, that I just had to share some of their hottest insights.
    So, I compiled the best advice and insights into one special episode. Whether you're new to franchising or a seasoned pro, these clips are packed with valuable lessons that anyone in the industry needs to hear.
     
    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!

    • 10 min
    Tips from the Top: Franchising’s Best Advice

    Tips from the Top: Franchising’s Best Advice

    It seems like anyone and their mom is ready to give you advice about franchising.
    But why not take advice from franchising’s greatest who successfully scaled from the bottom to the top of the industry?
    This week, we’re mixing it up and compiling some of the best bits of advice and wisdom from franchising’s finest minds. I’ve hand-picked some of my favorite, most impactful highlights from the past year that every entrepreneur needs to hear.
    From scaling over 90+ McAlister’s Delis to owning 60+ Zaxby’s and becoming the Gaz Biz King of Twitter, these next few guests are some of the biggest industry experts that you simply can’t afford *not* to listen to.

    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!

    • 10 min
    S9 E10: How Slick City Became an Adventure Park on Steroids

    S9 E10: How Slick City Became an Adventure Park on Steroids

    Join The Wolf as he sits down with Bron Launsby, the mastermind behind Slick City, a thriving franchise in the recreation center space. Learn the secrets behind their success, from innovative performance slides to exceptional customer experiences. Bron shares ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open up to 40 new locations by 2025, with a vision of reaching 500 across the U.S.
    Find out how Slick City’s unique business model emphasizes attractions that encourage parent participation—appealing to everyone from toddlers to grandparents. In a business where children are the target audience, how did Slick City manage to make 20% of their patrons adults, significantly higher than any other family entertainment center? Bron explains how his focus on inclusive, family-oriented fun helps keep everyone (even people usually glued to their phones) engaged and active.
    Tune in to explore the growth opportunities within the franchise, including investments in slide manufacturing and various concept expansions. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on building a successful franchise empire with Slick City.

    Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.
    Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.

    00:00:28 - Transitioning into Franchise Recreation Centers
    00:01:15 - The Transition from Corporate Retail to Trampoline Parks
    00:05:37 - A Big Part of Success Being a Trampoline Park Operator
    00:09:01 - The Science Behind Testing Slides
    00:13:36 - What Was The Thought Process Behind Investing in a Slide Manufacturer?
    00:18:23 - Slick City’s Revenue Breakdown Revealed
    00:23:37 - The Biggest Chunks of Revenue 
    00:28:27 - Who is the Ideal Franchisee for Slick City?
    00:31:48 - Building a Franchise With Previous Experience
    00:36:26 - Bron’s Ambitious Expansion Plan for Slick City

    Follow Bron Launsby:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bron-launsby-7637b6250/ 

    Learn more about Slick City:
    https://slickcityfranchise.com/

    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!
     

    • 36 min
    S9 E9: 130 Units in 60 Months: Inside Soccer Stars’ Booming Franchise Model

    S9 E9: 130 Units in 60 Months: Inside Soccer Stars’ Booming Franchise Model

    Who can forget being shuffled around to soccer games in the back seat of mom’s minivan, eagerly waiting to find out what post-game snacks awaited you at the end of your little league matchup?
    What if there was a franchise that could capture that same magic?
    The Wolf talks to Adam Geisler and John Erlandson, the co-founders of Youth Athletes United, which represents brands like Soccer Stars and Amazing Athletes, about the plan behind their youth sports immersion platform. With over 130 locations and 76 owners, they share their unique insights on scaling the business and the potential of selling more franchises.
    The Wolf also chats with Kevin and Chelsea Meyer, two owners of the Soccer Stars franchise, about the challenges they faced in converting businesses into successful franchises. What was the importance of hiring a GM? And how has the growth of soccer in the US contributed to the astounding success of Soccer Stars?
    Tune in to find out John, Adam, Kevin, and Chelsea’s insights into what just might be the most fun franchise in America to own!

    Soccer Stars is one of the nation's leading youth educational soccer programs in the country. We are a mobile-based franchise focused on teaching the fundamentals of soccer while having fun. Our programs are class and game-based activities focusing on kids starting at 1 and up to 14+ years of age. You can learn more about us at soccerstarsfranchise.com.

    00:00:50 - Youth Sports Platform Expands Franchise
    00:06:26 - Discovering Soccer Stars Brand Journey
    00:10:35 - Balancing Full-Time Jobs with Franchise
    00:16:16 - The Power of People in Business
    00:18:26 - Hiring a GM for Scaling Success
    00:22:32 - Adapting to Franchisee Growth Challenges
    00:29:14 - Developing Long-Term Goals for Soccer
    00:30:54 - Lionel Messi Joins MLS, World Cup 2026 in America
    00:36:10 - Connecting with MLS Franchise Opportunities
    00:38:46 - Challenges of Starting a Franchise
    00:40:57 - Franchise Challenges: Staffing and Retention

    Follow Adam:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-geisler-1442697/
     
    Follow John:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-erlandson-62409b4/
     
    Follow Kevin:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-meyer-4168632a4/
     
    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!

    • 44 min
    S9 E8: Unpacking beem Light Sauna’s Formula to Success

    S9 E8: Unpacking beem Light Sauna’s Formula to Success

    How does the co-founder of beem Light Sauna think about scaling a thriving health and wellness franchise? The Wolf talks with Cynthia May, CEO and Co-Founder of beem Light Sauna, to discover her secret to scaling from 0 to 65 locations in a little over four years.
    Cynthia reveals her biggest challenges and successes in scaling a franchise brand, unraveling how she and her team developed systems that allowed their franchisees to truly thrive. How did culture and values fundamentally shape the nature of her franchise?
    Cynthia also shares her insights into the unique benefits of light therapy— from mental health to weight loss and detoxification, she explains why customers are drawn to their private individual suites and rooms and how their membership-based business model sets the stage for success.
    Plus, what’s in store for beem Light Sauna? And how has partnering with prelaunch partners and vendors upped their marketing game?
    Tune in now to find out!
     
    Join the fastest-growing VR franchise in the world and be among the first to bring premium immersive VR experiences to your community.
    Invest in the future of entertainment by visiting franchise.sandboxvr.com.
     
    00:01:30 - Scaling a Franchise Brand Successfully
    00:05:43 - Finding the Right Location for Brands
    00:08:46 - Partnering for Membership Sales Success
    00:15:16 - Customizable Infrared and Red Light Therapy
    00:21:25 - Top 3 Reasons for Wellness Retreats
    00:25:29 - Transitioning from Founder to CEO
    00:34:18 - Establishing Culture and Values for Business Success
    00:40:50 - Goals for beem Light Sauna Beyond Units
    Learn More About beem Light Sauna:
    Website: https://franchise.beemlightsauna.com/
     
    Follow Cynthia:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamay/
     
    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!

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
39 Ratings

39 Ratings

The Mighty Van Halen ! ! ,

What a Slick podcast

Listened to the Slick City podcast and now I’m hooked! Looking forward to listening to more and going to Slick City too!!

Boyen168 ,

Great podcast, a lot of value

Love this show. Just don’t understand the music mid podcast while you’re talking.

MelissaDflip ,

Great content!

Really enjoying the in-depth interviews and convos on this podcast! As an experienced marketer of franchises and now a new AR and franchisee - I’ve loved all of the key learnings here.

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