Franchise This

Site Hub

Franchise This is the podcast where franchise growth meets digital marketing strategy. Hosted by Sean McKay, founder and CEO of Site Hub, this show dives into what it really takes to scale a franchise in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world. ㅤ Each episode features insights from franchise owners, marketers, and operations leaders who are building brands that expand without losing their identity. Whether you’re just starting out or managing hundreds of locations, you’ll get practical tips, real stories, and marketing strategies designed to help you grow smarter—not just bigger. ㅤ Franchise This is your front-row seat to the tools, tactics, and systems that drive franchise success—from local SEO and brand consistency to multi-location campaigns and operational scale.

  1. -2 J

    Big Fish in a Small Pond, Why Hands-Off Franchising Doesn’t Really Exist (with Richard Gould) | Ep. 14

    Scrappy from day one, Sean McKay sits down with Richard Gould, the franchisor behind Richard’s Painting, to talk about real choices and real consequences. Richard did not graduate high school, learned painting under Don, bought the business in his twenties, then sold it, moved from the Princeton area to Salisbury, North Carolina, and started over without knowing anyone. He grew a small-town operation past a million dollars a year, opened a second location to prove the model worked without him, and then franchised. You will hear how $5,000 down ads on BizBuySell brought in early franchisees, why better qualified candidates matter, why a slow and steady path beats quick territory counts, and how a group coaching program with Dan Martel and Buy Back Your Time helped Richard get out of his own way. Expect straight talk on costs, marketing, Angi’s fixed monthly program, and why a painting company that actually paints can still scale. ㅤ 👤 Guest BioRichard Gould is the franchisor of Richard’s Painting. He started as a young painter working alongside Don, purchased the business in his twenties, and later moved from the Princeton area to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he rebuilt from scratch. After growing past a million dollars a year locally, he opened a second location to prove the system, then began franchising. Richard describes himself as scrappy and committed to helping people with no business experience learn how to run a business using painting as the platform. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverStarting over in Salisbury, North Carolina, and taking three to four years to become successfulOpening a second location to see if the business works without the founderSelling early franchises from $5,000 down BizBuySell ads and what happened nextThe reality of franchising costs, why “a million dollars to franchise” gets said, and doing it for far lessPainting company versus sales organization, and why learning the craft still mattersWhy hands-off franchises do not really exist and how effort maps to returnUsing Facebook, Google, and Angi’s fixed monthly program to drive leads, especially in larger marketsWorking with brokers and consultants, qualifying candidates, and protecting people who put their life savings on the line ㅤ 🔗 Resources MentionedRichard’s Painting website: http://www.richardspainting.netRichard Gould on LinkedInSean McKayDan Martel and Buy Back Your TimeMonster Tree ServiceFranchise Marketing Systems (Chris Connor)BizBuySellGo BurritoAngiTikTok and Instagram: Richard underscore the Painter

    39 min
  2. 24 OCT.

    How Franchisors Can Fix Their Marketing Mistakes and Win Locally | Ep. 13

    Sean McKay steps behind the mic for a solo reflection on what he’s learned from the first stretch of Franchise This. He answers real questions about what franchisors need, where marketing dollars go wrong, and how data, automation, and brand storytelling connect to long-term success. ㅤ Sean explains what “hanging the digital open sign” really looks like, how brands lose momentum by giving up too soon, and why consistent messaging matters as much as ad spend. He breaks down what worked with brands like Cookies & Cream, Bubba Co’s, and Marigold Academy, and where campaigns like LinkedIn advertising fell short. ㅤ From local grand-opening playbooks to data-enriched lead qualification, Sean lays out how to build smarter franchise marketing systems that support franchisees and keep growth sustainable. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverWhat franchise marketing looks like behind the scenes at Site HubThe biggest mistakes franchisors make when scaling and spendingWhy brand marketing and messaging still matter in the AI eraLessons from Cookies & Cream, Bubba Co’s, and Marigold AcademyWhere LinkedIn ads failed and why persistence and tracking matterHow to support new franchisees with “digital open signs” and local awareness campaignsUsing data enrichment and automation to score and qualify leadsWhat’s working in lead generation now and why quality beats quantityBalancing corporate and local marketing so franchisees win ㅤ 🔗 Resources MentionedSite HubFranchise This episode with Greg at the Peach Cobbler FactoryFranchise This episode with Tim Doherty

    15 min
  3. 10 OCT.

    Myth busting Franchise Consulting & Finding Your Fit (with Kelly Amshoff) | Ep. 12

    In this episode of Franchise This, host Sean McKay talks with Kelly Amshoff, a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and franchise consultant who helps aspiring owners find their perfect business match. From musical theater to fitness to franchise development, Kelly’s journey reflects the power of pivoting with purpose. She shares what really goes into identifying the right franchise — beyond flashy brands or food chains — and how she guides clients to make confident, informed decisions. Listeners will walk away with insights on funding, candidate red flags, and why franchising isn’t just about buying a business — it’s about building your future. 👤 Guest Bio Kelly Amshoff is a seasoned franchise consultant with FranChoice, helping individuals discover franchise opportunities aligned with their goals, values, and financial readiness. With a background spanning musical theater, fitness entrepreneurship, and franchise development, Kelly brings a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and business acumen. She also runs I’m With Kelly Franchising, a resource for entrepreneurs exploring franchise ownership. Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn. 📌 What We Cover Kelly’s unexpected path from theater and fitness to franchisingThe real difference between a franchise consultant and a salespersonCommon misconceptions about buying a franchiseWhy franchising isn’t just for the ultra-wealthyThe importance of funding strategy and readinessRed flags when evaluating franchise opportunitiesHow franchisors and franchisees both “win” in the right matchKelly’s “Who, What, Where, When, and Why” approach to guiding clientsMythbusting: passive income, experience requirements, and franchise costsEmerging franchise trends — from “dirty jobs” to AI-enabled brands 🔗 Resources Mentioned FranChoice.com — Kelly’s consulting network I’m With Kelly Franchising — Kelly’s personal site Site Hub — Sean’s digital agency and producer of Franchise This Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

    44 min
  4. 3 OCT.

    Royalty Fees, Real Support, and Slow Growth (with Dan Feltman) | Ep. 11

    A state trooper for 13 years who guarded governors, Sean McKay sits down with Dan Feltman to trace a jump from law enforcement to co-founding a franchise built on garage transformations. Dan shares a hurry up and wait moment that led to searching franchises, flying to Nebraska, and learning the craft while still on duty. He talks about test marketing in Indy, helping people find freedom for family, and why support means making franchisees successful from day one. Expect candid lessons on hiring the wrong lawyer and FSOs, choosing specialists, avoiding all-in-one promises, and why dealership models hurt the industry. Mindset comes through again and again: success leaves clues, mentors tell you to stop, failure is part of winning, and quitting is the only real failure. ㅤ 👤 Guest BioDan Feltman served as a state trooper for 13 years and guarded governors. He learned the garage coatings business under a partner with a firefighter background, worked part-time for five or six years, and helped test market Indianapolis for viability as a franchise. Today he focuses on helping people find family time and financial freedom through a slow growth franchise model built on real support and partnership. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverA 13-year path in law enforcement and guarding governors that sparked a desire for control and owning a businessThe moment of “I’ve had it” that led to searching franchises during hurry up and wait and finding garage coatingsFlying to Nebraska, learning the trade, and running part-time for five or six years before test marketing IndyWhy freedom for family guided early sacrifices and still anchors franchise decisionsHiring the wrong lawyer and FSOs, wasting time and money, then finding the right franchise lawyer and specialistsThe danger of all-in-one providers and why networking and relationships matterReal support defined: make franchisees successful, not just take calls; invest royalties to keep people involvedDealership models that sell product with zero royalties versus a franchise focused on running a businessCommon franchisee gaps: QuickBooks, CRM, and behind-the-scenes work versus doing the jobMindset principles: success leaves clues, mentors and coaches, failure is part of winning, quitting is the real failureLead sources and selection: broker network, networking, and slow growth to bring in the right partners

    25 min
  5. 26 SEPT.

    From CPA to Cannabis Lounges (with Ron Silberstein) | Ep. 10

    Franchising veteran Sean McKay sits down with Ron Silberstein, CFO of Bud’s Place, to explore how decades of experience in finance and franchise operations are shaping an entirely new industry. Silberstein shares his journey from running a CPA firm to joining the management team of a large golf franchise, and how that sparked a lifelong commitment to franchising. ㅤ Listeners hear how a call from Mark Cohen sparked the concept of cannabis consumption lounges, why Silberstein believed franchising was the right growth model, and what it takes to build a profitable system in a federally restricted industry. From the challenges of regulations and insurance to the opportunities in hospitality and customer experience, Silberstein outlines the mission of Bud’s Place: creating high quality fun while ensuring strong franchisee success. ㅤ 👤 Guest BioRon Silberstein is a CPA, CFE, and long-time franchise expert with experience dating back to 1999. He has worked with franchisees, franchisors, and industry leaders across sectors from golf to hospitality. As CFO of Bud’s Place, Silberstein is focused on building the nation’s first franchised cannabis consumption lounges, blending his financial background with a passion for franchising and community. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverTransition from CPA firm owner to franchise executive in the golf industryDiscovering a passion for franchising and its role in the US and global economyThe origins of Bud’s Place and the vision for cannabis consumption loungesHow federal illegality and state-by-state rules shape the business modelThe importance of profitability and franchisee success in building a brandChallenges of broker networks and lessons learned in franchise developmentAccounting and legal details every franchisor must get right in the FDDWhy choosing the right advisors, CPAs, and attorneys matters in franchisingThe role of the International Franchise Association and industry conferencesBud’s Place’s focus on hospitality, entertainment, and multiple revenue streams ㅤ 🔗 Resources MentionedBud’s Place WebsiteInternational Franchise Association (IFA) Annual ConventionBook: Joy Inc. by Richard Sheridan

    44 min
  6. 19 SEPT.

    Stop Opening Restaurants (with Gary Occhiogrosso) | Ep. 9

    Cradle to grave in the best sense of the word. In this conversation, Sean McKay digs in with Gary Occhiogrosso on development, sales, infrastructure, and money. Private equity once “didn’t understand the beast,” but today it’s about royalty revenue, happy franchisees, and an EBITDA line that keeps growing. Gary explains why founders tied to grandma’s recipe still face the same reality, why it’s always better to sell royalty income than operational income, and why some restaurateurs should stop opening restaurants. The story runs from sleeping on a bag of flour as a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee to franchise advisory councils, multi-unit growth, simplicity of operation, validation, and the mindset to cross the bridge. Go big or go home. ㅤ Guest BioGary Occhiogrosso is the founder of Franchise Growth Solutions, a contributor for Forbes, an adjunct professor at NYU, and a podcast host. He started in the radio business in New York doing voiceovers, became a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee, and later served as president of a multi-brand franchisor called True Foods. His path spans franchise development, sales, private equity conversations, and leading brands with a focus on systems, people, and results. ㅤ What We CoverDevelopment, sales, infrastructure, and money as four silos for franchisorsWhy today’s private equity focuses on royalty revenue, unit growth, and happy franchiseesThe case for franchising: royalty-driven EBITDA vs. company-ops EBITDA multiples“Stop opening restaurants” when scale requires simplicity of operation and no CapEx on unitsLessons from Dunkin’ Donuts: advisory councils, protecting good franchisees from bad franchiseesE-Myth thinking: the people run the system, the system runs the businessCommon missteps: ego, unproven unit economics, and trying to fund growth from the franchise feeValidation as a critical selling tool and the hard jump from one to two unitsMulti-unit, multi-brand franchisees: cost of entry, simplicity, and room to grow“Knowledge is not power. The execution of knowledge is power.” ㅤ Resources MentionedFranchise Growth Solutions: https://franchisegrowthsolutions.com/Gary Occhiogrosso on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-occhiogrosso/The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber (book)

    48 min
  7. 12 SEPT.

    Addiction, Recovery, and Growing 120 Locations in 3 Years (with Greg George) | Ep. 8

    Franchising is not an easy path, and few people know that better than Sean McKay’s guest, Greg George. With more than 25 years in the franchise world and involvement in 42 different brands, Greg has learned his biggest lessons by discovering what not to do. He shares how he went from selling franchises to owning equity in multiple companies, ultimately co-leading the rapid growth of the Peach Cobbler Factory to over 120 locations in 23 states. Greg opens up about his personal story, including decades of addiction and nearly losing his son, and how recovery gave him renewed drive and purpose. His journey shows that resilience, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with the right people can fuel extraordinary results. From NFL stadiums to small-town mobile units, and now expanding into breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Peach Cobbler Factory story is about building something bigger than desserts—it’s about people, perseverance, and purpose. 👤 Guest BioGreg George has spent more than 25 years in franchising, working across 42 different brands and helping build companies from the ground up. Today he leads the Peach Cobbler Factory, which has grown to more than 120 locations in just over three years. Greg shares openly about his recovery journey and how overcoming addiction fuels both his mission to help others and his drive to grow one of the fastest-expanding dessert brands in the country. 📌 What We CoverGreg’s path from designing cigar lounges and coffee shops to 25 years in franchisingHow the Peach Cobbler Factory scaled to 120 locations across 23 states in just three yearsThe role of mentorship, including partnering with Larry Johnson to build a national dessert chainGreg’s personal journey from decades of addiction to sobriety and helping nearly 50 people enter treatmentWhy success in franchising depends on choosing the right people at every levelThe importance of Google Ads, local marketing, and filtering franchise leadsChallenges of compliance, personality management, and financing in early franchisingNew initiatives expanding Peach Cobbler Factory into breakfast, lunch, and dinner service 🔗 Resources MentionedPeach Cobbler FactoryGreg George on Instagram: @iammrpositive[Larry Johnson] (mentioned as mentor and partner)Mike’s Hot Honey

    35 min
  8. 5 SEPT.

    The Bumpy Road of Franchising (with Angels Monitoring) | Ep. 7

    Franchising often gets painted as a simple path to expansion, but as Sean McKay uncovers in this conversation with AnnMarie Baranik and William Anthony, the journey can be anything but easy. From losing $40,000 to a smooth-talking salesman, to drowning in legal fees with over-lawyering, to navigating the headaches of social media permissions and failed technology platforms, the duo behind Angels Monitoring share an unfiltered look at the realities of becoming a franchisor. ㅤ They open up about challenges with compliance, franchisee expectations, and the myth of easy money in franchising. At the same time, they highlight how their mission to help families through supervised visitation keeps them committed. This is a candid exploration of mistakes, lessons learned, and the ongoing balance between growth and control. ㅤ 👤 Guest BiosAnnMarie Baranik is the CEO of Angels Monitoring. She began franchising in 2018, motivated by the growth of her business in California. William Anthony is the CIO of Angels Monitoring. He has guided the company through legal hurdles, franchise operations, and technology struggles, shaping their current approach to growth. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverHow a quick decision to franchise led to a costly $40,000 mistake without receiving an FDDThe danger of being over-lawyered and burdened with paperwork as a small companyLessons from allowing franchisees too much leeway with compliance and social mediaWhy partial buy-ins and payment plans failed to produce committed franchiseesThe myth of “easy” franchising and why absentee ownership rarely worksTechnology pitfalls, from failed custom platforms to the importance of owning your systemsThe role of organic growth, relationships with courts, and zero advertising in their expansionCounterintuitive advice: don’t franchise unless you’re already huge and can fully control the system ㅤ 🔗 Resources MentionedFDD (Franchise Disclosure Document)Angels Monitoring

    34 min

À propos

Franchise This is the podcast where franchise growth meets digital marketing strategy. Hosted by Sean McKay, founder and CEO of Site Hub, this show dives into what it really takes to scale a franchise in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world. ㅤ Each episode features insights from franchise owners, marketers, and operations leaders who are building brands that expand without losing their identity. Whether you’re just starting out or managing hundreds of locations, you’ll get practical tips, real stories, and marketing strategies designed to help you grow smarter—not just bigger. ㅤ Franchise This is your front-row seat to the tools, tactics, and systems that drive franchise success—from local SEO and brand consistency to multi-location campaigns and operational scale.