The Sidekick Life

Franchise Sidekick
  • 5.0 (27)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Sidekick Life podcast explores how successful entrepreneurs are building fulfilling lives by creating solutions that serve others. Co-hosts Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen dive into real stories of franchise owners and business leaders who have transformed their own journeys into platforms for helping others thrive. In each episode, they dive into real-life challenges and inspiring stories from people who are changing lives and living life on their own terms. Tune in to discover how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can be the key to freedom, fulfillment, and lasting impact.

  1. What do franchise buyers really want?

    4D AGO

    What do franchise buyers really want?

    What if franchising wasn’t driven by hype, opinions and paid rankings … but by real buyer behavior?In this episode of “The Sidekick Life,” Ryan sits down with Sidekick COO Michael Judkins to unpack something the franchise industry hasn’t seen before: The Best Damn Franchise Report. It’s a first-of-its-kind look at franchising built on real buyer data.Instead of “top franchise lists” that often feel like marketing, this report pulls insights from 73,000+ prospective franchisees and 3,500 in-depth Franchise Fit Surveys to answer the questions that actually matter:- What do today’s franchise buyers really want?- What are they avoiding?- And where are the smartest opportunities hiding in plain sight?As Michael puts it, this wasn’t just a cool internal project—it became something bigger.“We had hundreds of thousands of data points … and we’d never macro-analyzed it. Once we got into it, there was some pretty compelling information.”

    35 min
  2. Top franchise brands of 2025

    FEB 4

    Top franchise brands of 2025

    The first episode of “The Sidekick Life” in 2026 kicks off with a look back and a look ahead. Ryan is joined by executive franchise advisor Anthony Hudson to break down the Top 10 franchise brands of 2025, based not on hype, but on real client demand. “These aren’t our favorites,” Ryan explains. “These are the brands clients actually chose after going through our process.” With over 300 vetted franchise concepts and thousands of buyers served, this annual list offers a rare, data-backed snapshot of where franchise ownership is really heading – and what opportunities still have serious momentum going into 2026.

    29 min
  3. How to sell without selling

    JAN 21

    How to sell without selling

    Sales doesn’t have to feel like pressure, persuasion, or “closing.” In this episode, we sit down with Becc Holland, CEO of Flip the Script, to unpack a buyer-first approach to selling that builds trust fast—and actually protects the customer from making a bad decision. Becc shares why most sales training creates a power struggle, how to shift from pitching to diagnosing, and the simple talk ratio that changes everything: talk less, ask better questions, and earn trust through clarity—not charm. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to be salesy,” this one’s for you. What you’ll learn: Why “people buy from people they like” is misleading (and what matters more) How to sell by diagnosing, not convincing The #1 mistake companies make: not truly learning their buyer How to break down “buyer walls” without manipulation The ideal talk ratio on a first call (10–15% seller / 85–90% buyer) Why misaligned expectations are the silent killer in business decisions (especially franchising) More from Becc Holland:Flip the Script free sales training hub (200+ hours): flipthescript.com → Free Sales Training Hub Want to explore business ownership (for free)?Sign up for our quick webinar: 10,000 Locations & the Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw

    34 min
  4. From medical sales to franchisee

    JAN 7

    From medical sales to franchisee

    Join our webinar: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw In this “Advisors Takeover” episode of The Sidekick Life, Senior Franchise Advisors Anthony Hudson and Jason Rutledge step into the studio and sit down with Ben Burnap—Franchise Sidekick advisor and the owner of Pink’s Window Cleaning Services in Los Angeles. Ben shares his jump from high-pressure medical sales to business ownership, why Pink’s mission and brand made him go all-in, and how he validated an emerging franchise without tons of local data. You’ll hear what the Pink’s training and support actually looks like, the early “trial-by-fire” moments (yes… the no-water window job), and what changed over Ben’s first 12 months to make operations smoother and growth faster. They also dig into hiring for attitude and culture, building a team with a real career path, and how Pink’s customer experience + marketing engine helps win in a competitive market like LA. Plus: Ben talks Resi Brands, the Cody Sanchez effect, and why he says Pink’s is “a bazooka in a knife fight.” If you’re considering a service-based franchise—or want a real look at what year one can feel like—this one’s for you.

    39 min
  5. How to run a successful franchise

    12/10/2025

    How to run a successful franchise

    Join our free business blueprint webinar: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw How do you actually run a successful franchise?Franchise expert Angela Coté, founder & CEO of AC Inc., joins The Sidekick Life to break down the truth about franchise success—from following the system, to scaling beyond owner-operator mode, to building exit value through coaching, KPIs, and leadership. Angela has spent her entire life in franchising (18 years as a franchisee + decades inside a 500-unit brand) and today she trains the operations coaches who support franchise owners across North America. In this episode, she shares the exact frameworks, tools, and mindsets that separate top-performing franchisees from everyone else.

    31 min
  6. Is Franchising Worth It? A Real Couple’s Journey From Doubt to Success

    11/26/2025

    Is Franchising Worth It? A Real Couple’s Journey From Doubt to Success

    Two people who never wanted a franchise… end up thriving as franchise owners. What happened? 👀 In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan sits down at Sidekick Summit in Scottsdale with Amanda and Frank Lorenz, Bar-B-Clean franchisees in the East Valley of Arizona. They walk through their full journey—from searching for an existing business, swearing off franchising, and worrying about “losing control”… to finding Bar-B-Clean through Franchise Sidekick, validating the brand, and building a growing business while both still working full-time jobs. They talk honestly about: Why they originally said “absolutely not” to franchising The perception of less control vs the reality they live today Working with Sidekick advisor Des to narrow brands and reduce risk Hiring struggles, seasonality, and what it’s really like running a “dirty job” in Arizona heat How community with other franchisees and the franchisor has been a game changer The turning point moment at a trade show when they realized, “Oh wow… this is going to be big.” Their #1 piece of advice for anyone thinking about opening a business or buying a franchise: Use your own judgment, make decisions based on facts, not fear or other people’s opinions. If you’re on the fence about starting a business or buying a franchise—and everyone around you is saying it’s “too risky”—this episode will help you see the decision more clearly.

    36 min
  7. The Hottest Franchise Brands of Fall 2025

    11/19/2025

    The Hottest Franchise Brands of Fall 2025

    Join our free business blueprint webinar: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw If you’re exploring franchise ownership and wondering where to begin, this episode is your shortcut. At Franchise Sidekick, our advisors track real client interest, performance, and momentum across hundreds of franchise brands. Each season, we rank the top 10 most sought-after opportunities — the ones clients can’t stop talking about. Some are proven industry powerhouses. Others are fast-growing emerging concepts. All have one thing in common: they’re scaling quickly, and territories won’t stay open for long. In this Fall 2025 “Hot Brands” breakdown, Ryan Zink and Senior Advisor Anthony Hudson reveal the most in-demand franchises based on 1,300+ client introductions over the last three months. From wellness and longevity to home services, logistics, pools, golf simulators, and innovative business services, you’ll learn: Why these brands are surging in popularity What makes each model attractive (cost, employees, recurring revenue, lifestyle, and more) Real investment ranges — from $43K to $800K The surprising number of home-based, low-employee, and semi-passive opportunities The #1 brand that just won’t give up the top spot Whether you're early in your franchise search or looking for the next big opportunity, this list is where serious buyers start.

    23 min
  8. Why 99% Never Post (and How You Won’t Be One of Them)

    11/12/2025

    Why 99% Never Post (and How You Won’t Be One of Them)

    Why 99% Never Post (and How You Won’t Be One of Them) w/ Brooke Budke Most people lurk. A tiny 1% creates. In this episode, Brooke Budke (CEO of Momentum Brands) shows you exactly how to move from silent consumer to confident creator on LinkedIn—without feeling cringey or fake. We get into the “engage first” method, five content pillars, simple posting cadence, and the mindset that crushes the fear of being judged. You’ll learn The Engage First method: the zero-pressure way to start now Why “stories sell, facts tell” on LinkedIn The 1% creator advantage (and how to join it) A 10-day batching + scheduling system anyone can run How leaders spark team-wide posting (without forcing it) Commenting like a pro: turning strangers into supporters Mindset flips for “I’m not enough” & fear of criticism Why authentic personal posts often outperform polished “work” posts About BrookeBrooke Budke is the CEO of Momentum Brands, one of franchising’s most respected marketing firms. She helps executives and brands build magnetic online presence through authentic storytelling and repeatable systems. If this helped, follow the show, rate it, and share with a friend who needs a nudge to hit “Post.”

    52 min
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

The Sidekick Life podcast explores how successful entrepreneurs are building fulfilling lives by creating solutions that serve others. Co-hosts Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen dive into real stories of franchise owners and business leaders who have transformed their own journeys into platforms for helping others thrive. In each episode, they dive into real-life challenges and inspiring stories from people who are changing lives and living life on their own terms. Tune in to discover how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can be the key to freedom, fulfillment, and lasting impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Franchise Sidekick
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Franchise Sidekick
  • Show Website
    The Sidekick Life