Best Franchise Brands Podcast

James Butler
  • 5.0 (4)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Best Franchise Brands Podcast where in each episode, we will explore a specific franchise brand with details about their business, requirements for franchise candidates, how they train their franchisees, and details about the systems they've set up so franchisees get a great start. Interviews with industry leaders of the best franchise brands will give you insights and help you discover important details about which franchisors you should engage with in the discovery process as you prepare to start your franchise business.

  1. Interview with Nuttha Goutier, Founder and CEO of Sabai Thai Spa

    JAN 28

    Interview with Nuttha Goutier, Founder and CEO of Sabai Thai Spa

    In this episode, I talk with Nuttha Goutier, who is the founder and CEO fo Sabai Thai Spa. Nuttha is originally from Thailand and shares her story, why she decided to start franchising her corporate spa locations and lessons she has learned on her journey in supporting her franchisees success. In this episode, she shares how she has been able to sucessfully expand Sabai Thai Spa into a franchise while maintaining its unique cultural charm. She also shares insights into balancing standardization with authenticity in franchise operations and why this matters for long-term success, and practical lessons and strategies for training franchisees to embody care and connection, not just processes.

    34 min
  2. Interview with Mike Tan, CEO of Sweathouz

    12/30/2025

    Interview with Mike Tan, CEO of Sweathouz

    In this episode, I talk with Mike Tan, who is the CEO of Sweathouz about their unique franchise offering. They offer one suite, two temperatures, and three experiences with a unique recovery journey that is a scientifically-backed approach to self-care, combining hot and cold temperatures for optimal mental and physical performance and wellness. Each private suite is a luxurious haven where clients can personalize their wellness routine in complete privacy. This isn't just about recovery—it's an immersive experience designed for both relaxation and rejuvenation. Mike shares his story about how he became involved, the exciting culture they've built there, what he is most excited about for the future, and the opportunity for those who want to build a real sense of community with their franchise.

    30 min
  3. Interview with Dan Claps, CEO of VODA Cleaning and Restoration

    11/11/2025

    Interview with Dan Claps, CEO of VODA Cleaning and Restoration

    In this episode, I talk with Dan Claps, CEO and Co-Founder of VODA Cleaning and Restoration. VODA was started in 2009 and started franchising in 2023. Dan tells the story of the founding of VODA, how he got involved, lessons behind their remarkable growth, and what he is most excited about as he continues to build out the VODA brand in home services. Voda Cleaning & Restoration is raising the bar for cleaning and restoration services nationwide. Their mission is simple: to make life easier for those responsible for creating inviting, healthy spaces,  whether at home, work, or in business. "Voda" means water in Serbian and embodies their approach. Like water, they bring a gentle yet powerful clean, renewing both the visible and hidden spaces in a client's home or business. They leave behind nothing but a radiant clean, so you can quickly return to what matters—living and working with peace of mind.

    33 min
  4. Interview with Kelly Crummer, Senior Director of Franchising at Firehouse Subs

    10/21/2025

    Interview with Kelly Crummer, Senior Director of Franchising at Firehouse Subs

    In this episode, I talk with Kelly Crummer, who is the Senior Director of Franchising at Firehouse Subs®. She shares the Firehouse Subs® origin story, how they've grown to nearly 1,400 locations in the United States and even more internationally, incentives they offer to beginning franchisees, the secret behind their rapid growth, how they focus as a franchisor on each individual franchisee's  profitability, and the importance of human interaction and community involvement that leads to growth and success with their restaurants. Firehouse Subs® is a restaurant chain with a passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service, and public safety. Franchising since 1995, Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 by two former firefighting brothers, the brand is built on decades of hot and hearty subs piled with high quality meats and cheeses, and committed to saving lives through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®, providing lifesaving equipment and needed resources to first responders and public safety organizations. Firehouse Subs is a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. ("RBI"), one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with over $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and approximately 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. RBI owns four of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – Burger King®, Tim Hortons®, Popeyes®, and Firehouse Subs®. To join the Firehouse Subs family, visit franchising.firehousesubs.com.

    32 min
  5. Interview with Garr Russell, Founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental

    10/09/2025

    Interview with Garr Russell, Founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental

    In this episode, I talk with Garr Russell, who is the founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental. He shares his story about how he recognized a need for helping RV owners rent out their vehicles when they weren't using them and has grown a national franchise brand as a result. He shares lessons that he has learned as they have experienced remarkable growth, how they help their franchise partners succeed, commonalities amongst their top franchisees, and what he is most excited about as he continues to build their growing brand.

    36 min
  6. Interview with Bobbie Lloyd, CEO and Chief Baking Officer at Magnolia Bakery

    09/23/2025

    Interview with Bobbie Lloyd, CEO and Chief Baking Officer at Magnolia Bakery

    In this episode, I talk with Bobbie Lloyd, who is the CEO and Chief Baking Officer of Magnolia Bakery about their decision to start franchising. Magnolia Bakery started in the West Village of New York City in 1996. Bobbie started at Magnolia Bakery in 2006 and became the CEO back in 2020. They started franchising in 2010 in Dubai and they are opening their first U.S. franchise location in the United States in Salt Lake City in 2026. They have corporate locations in New York, Illinois, and California. We discuss the history of Magnolia Bakery, how they expanded corporate locations across New York City, why they decided to start franchising, how she became founder 2.0 of Magnolia Bakery, fun details about their product line and delicious sweets, requirements for starting a Magnolia Bakery franchise, and what she is most excited about as they continue to expand their iconic brand. For the first time, they are opening our doors to franchise ownership in the U.S., almost 30 years after they opened their first store on Bleecker Street. As they expand, they're looking for franchise owners who share that mission and see the extraordinary in the everyday. For more information go to https://www.magnoliabakery.com/pages/us-franchise to learn how you can be among the first to bring Magnolia Bakery to your neighborhood by joining a beloved brand with generational appeal and a strong foundation for long-term success.

    31 min
  7. Interview with Melanie Richards, Founder and CEO of goGLOW

    09/18/2025

    Interview with Melanie Richards, Founder and CEO of goGLOW

    In this episode, I talk with Mel Richards, who is the founder and CEO of goGLOW about how she started her tanning and skincare brand, the reasons for their explosive growth, and lessons she has learned along the way as she has been supporting and serving her franchise partners.  In 2010, founder Melanie Richards recognized the demand for healthy tanning products and services. She used her Esthiology skin care background to develop a better solution to custom spray tanning, one that did not use toxic ingredients and was harmful to the skin. After considerable product and equipment research, a new approach was discovered that uses only high quality ingredients, produced a completely natural looking tan and actually helped heal the skin. Along with developing proprietary products and equipment, Melanie applied her talented aesthetic vision to develop the complete goGLOW brand that is sleek, modern, unisex and classic. The passion for this brand is an integral part of their growth and because of their differentiation from anything else in the traditional 'tanning' market.  goGLOW is made up of a group of highly educated skin experts. They strive to provide a high end and professional experience for their clients. They begin each interaction the minute a client books an appointment and continue all the way to post appointment follow up. They believe client education is essential to ensure the best goGLOW experience. Perhaps that's why they've received 5 stars from ALLURE magazine, been named best spray tan from LA to NYC and then later awarded with the coveted ALLURE Best of Beauty award. Mel shares details about their discovery process, what franchise partners love most about goGLOW and why you should check out the opportunity to be a part of their brand at www.goGLOW.co.

    31 min
  8. Interview with 1 Heart Caregiver Services Founder and CEO Belina Calderon-Nernberg, Kevin Tagarao (COO), and Randy Neil Clarito (VP of Franchise Development)

    09/16/2025

    Interview with 1 Heart Caregiver Services Founder and CEO Belina Calderon-Nernberg, Kevin Tagarao (COO), and Randy Neil Clarito (VP of Franchise Development)

    In this episode, I talk with Belina Calderon-Nernberg, who is the founder and CEO of 1 Heart Caregiver Services, Kevin Tagarao, who is the Chief Operating Officer, and Randy Neil Clarito, who is the VP of Franchise Development about their start in the non-medical senior care business in 2003 and how they got into franchising in 2015. Belina shares her story, their growth to franchise locations across the country, how they offer E-2 visas for immigrants seeking to start a business in the United States, how they support their franchise partners, and what they are most excited about as they continue to grow their brand.

    44 min
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About

Welcome to the Best Franchise Brands Podcast where in each episode, we will explore a specific franchise brand with details about their business, requirements for franchise candidates, how they train their franchisees, and details about the systems they've set up so franchisees get a great start. Interviews with industry leaders of the best franchise brands will give you insights and help you discover important details about which franchisors you should engage with in the discovery process as you prepare to start your franchise business.

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