Buckle up because the Wolf is taking another stab at your best Twitter questions in this solo question-and-answer pod. Should you be able to negotiate a franchise agreement? If so, how much of an agreement is negotiable, or are most franchise agreements a take-it-or-leave-it proposition?  Then the Wolf uncovers his #1 recommendation for back-office franchisee solutions (hint: it’s a software that’s near and dear to his heart), before dissecting the differences between chains and franchises.   Plus, who will win the Nashville Chicken Wars? Or do all chicken franchises come out th ..read more

The Wolf chats with french fry master, Lucas Mitchell, a successful entrepreneur and franchisee of Five Guys, to discuss the ins and outs of scaling a franchise business. From building strong relationships with franchisees to managing shiny object syndrome, Lucas shares valuable insights and lessons learned along his journey. How did Lucas go from owning five stores to over 20? What were the challenges and rewards that came with his rapid growth? He details his unique strategies for managing debt covenants and explains how he leveraged specific relationships to fuel his franchise’s expansion ..read more

Loosen up. Literally. StretchLab is the Austin-based company helping others to increase performance and decrease joint pain. The Wolf chats with owner Steve Hitzemann about the fast-growing franchise’s rapid ascent to success. How did Steve dare to dream of a business model based on nothing more than stretching? Hear how Steve made the impossible possible, and how he’s making a two-membership franchise financially sustainable.  Is the stretching franchise just another fad? And if so, how has Steve prepared to compete in a potentially soon-to-be oversaturated market? From its customized on ..read more

The Wolf’s taking a break from his normal podcasting format to break down the latest in franchising news this week. Is Orange Theory’s acquisition by Self Esteem Brands a good thing or a sign of impending doom? With Orange Theory’s numbers diminishing since the initial insanity of their boom, could this spell disaster or is it a shrewd business move? The Wolf also tackles Domino’s latest earnings announcement before trying his hardest not to become a total Crumbl apologist. He’s taking a hard look at the announcement of the franchise savant’s diminishing sales numbers and diving into whether o ..read more

The Wolf’s mixing it up this week as he’s joined by special co-host, Dru Carpenito, to chat with franchise-consultant-turned-CFO-franchise-incubator, JT Singh, about what makes up a successful franchise.  From financial services to home services, they explore the different industries and investment sizes that aspiring franchise owners should consider. What’s the significance of territory size? Do the risks outweigh the rewards when it comes to selling an entire territory to one franchise owner?  The trio also discusses the various ins and outs of franchise opportunities and dissect h ..read more

The Wolf is breaking it down solo for this special Q&A session, where he’s answering your most burning questions about the world of franchising.  What are the different strategies and considerations involved in owning one to two locations versus four to five locations? Are home services and non-brick-and-mortar franchises the place to hedge your franchising bets?  From the costs of hiring a fast food general manager to the best value propositions for aspiring entrepreneurs, The Wolf provides his most valuable insights and advice from his years of experience. The Wolf also address ..read more

Eric Danver is the man who’s owned 100+ franchise locations over the course of his impressive career, including 58 Hand and Stone locations and 53 Philadelphia-based Papa John’s. He chats with the Wolf about his storied franchise career and the new challenges and opportunities the business presents in an ever-changing landscape.   From his humble beginnings in the pizza industry to building a successful portfolio of Papa John's and Hand and Stone franchises, Eric shares his insights on what it takes to thrive in the competitive food industry. Learn about the strategies and operationa ..read more

Everyone wants to be the next Crumbl. But let’s face it—not every new and hot franchise can be the next Crumbl. Fads aren't always bad. But sometimes they can spell failure. So how can you protect yourself against becoming the next franchise fad failure? The Wolf chats with friend of the podcast and franchise consultant, Dru Carpenito about the franchise hype cycle and how to avoid the pitfalls of investing in oversaturated franchise markets.  What are the risks and rewards of investing in trending franchise brands? Is it worth the gamble or are the growing pains too much to overcome? Dru ..read more

It’s time for the listeners to “Ask Me Anything”! When does a franchise restaurant become a viable investment? The answer may vary depending on factors such as the number of units and states involved, as well as an individual's risk appetite. Discover the key considerations that can help determine the right time to invest in a franchise. In this episode, The Wolf also shares his thoughts on the future of franchising, highlighting the food and beverage category as a major player. Find out which franchise category he is most bullish on. If you're interested in buying an emerging brand, dive in a ..read more

Join The Wolf as he sits down with John Valluzzo and his sons, Michael and Nick, to explore their reign of owning over 80+ McDonald's locations as they dive deep into the fascinating world of the iconic fast-food franchise.  The Valluzzos share their family's deep-rooted connection to McDonald's and explain their incredible journey to owning such a vast portfolio of locations.  Discover the secrets behind McDonald's renowned training programs, including the prestigious Hamburger University, and hear how they ensure consistent quality and service across their restaurants. Nick also di ..read more