Franchise Secrets Podcast

Building a successful franchise isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating the right foundation for your franchisees to thrive. Discover the secrets behind scaling franchises from someone who’s been there and done that. In this episode, Brigham Dallas, a franchise industry expert and owner of Hello Sugar, returns to discuss what it truly takes to grow and sustain a franchise brand. Brigham and Erik discuss why early franchisee success is critical to your brand’s long-term success and how radical transparency can help avoid false expectations. They dive into the importance of hiring the right people, empowering them to make decisions, and ensuring they align with the brand’s vision. Brigham also explains how micro decisions made by team members can significantly impact a franchise’s future. If you want to scale your brand and build a franchise that lasts, don’t miss this episode!   “I do not want a franchisee getting into this business with false expectations. I want them coming into the business knowing exactly what they're getting into and knowing that what we are providing is like there's no surprises—no hiccups, no red flags that come after the marriage." ~ Brigham Dallas   In This Episode: - Building the foundation for franchise growth - Where most brands fail early in the business - The value of Item 19 and radical transparency in franchising - Human receptionists vs. AI, and Brigham's bold decision - Brigham's mission as a franchisor - Setting the right expectations with franchisees - How to align franchisees with your brand’s vision - The benefits of working with Front Street Equity Partners - How Brigham helps franchisees succeed - Hello Sugar's revenue generation scheme for franchisees   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/   Connect with Brigham Dallas: 🌐 Website - https://www.hellosugar.salon/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brighamdallas/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

What makes a successful franchisor stand out from the rest? It's not just about expanding quickly—it’s about building a brand that can scale and stand the test of time.  In this episode, Jeff Herr of Front Street Equity Partners returns to exchange views with Erik Van Horn. They discuss what sets great franchisors apart from the average ones, why strategic growth and brand consistency are crucial, how the most effective franchisors foster strong relationships with their franchisees, and the importance of establishing standards that can be consistently applied and scaled.  Whether you're a franchisor looking to expand or a franchisee considering joining a system, this episode offers valuable insights into building a business designed for growth. If you want to learn how to build a franchise that stands the test of time, tune in to find out the strategies you need to scale successfully.   “The best franchisors are the ones who are working on things so that the business can ramp faster than it did a year ago." ~ Jeff Herr   In This Episode: - Creating a compelling brand story - What sets great franchise founders apart - Strategic vs. rushed franchise growth - Building equity by compressing time - Making scalable strategies for franchise growth - Balancing innovation with franchise consistency - Hiring and delegating the right responsibilities - Protecting brand integrity and the need for enforcing brand standards - Franchisors supporting franchisees for long-term success   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/ 🌐 Master the Six Stages of Franchise Relationships for Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGPvZZRorCw   Connect with Jeff Herr: 🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-herr-016703214/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

If you think passive income means sitting back and letting the money roll in, think again! In this episode, we uncover the truth behind passive income and why it’s not as simple as it seems. Join Erik Van Horn as he talks to financial expert Russ Morgan about the realities of passive income. They delve into why most people’s expectations about passive income are misguided and discuss strategies to create genuine wealth without relying solely on traditional investment methods. Russ explains how to use tools like the Augusta Rule and shares insights from his experience helping clients build sustainable financial futures. Discover how entrepreneurs can build wealth without Wall Street and learn about the Passive Income Roadmap. Tune in now to hear why passive income is more than just a buzzword—it’s a strategy for long-term financial success! Join the passive income revolution today!   “What are we doing with our dollars? Is it getting us more of what we want or less of what we want? It's not an accumulation plan. The person who wins this game doesn't have ten million dollars in an account in the future. The person who wins this game has more passive income coming in than monthly expenses that they could never run out of. That is financial freedom." ~ Russ Morgan   In This Episode: - The value of hiring a coach - Is your CPA knowledgeable about The Augusta Rule? - Money mistakes and the obstacle to financial freedom - Becoming a good steward of your finances - Active vs. passive income and activating PIOS - Mistakes people commit as they start building passive income  - How the market's sugar rush impacts investors - The framework for building passive income  - Understanding your "investor buy box" for smart decisions -  Investing with the right people vs. just the right deal - Passive income ideas you can try   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/ 🌐 Grab Your Wealth Building Tools Here - http://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/franchisesecrets  🌐 The Passive Income Roadmap - http://www.mypassiveincomeroadmap.com   Connect with Russ Morgan: 🌐 Website - https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-morgan-72595519/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What they don’t teach you at Wharton could be the key to building the next big beauty brand. In today’s episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes Adam Ross, former CEO of Heyday and current partner at Front Street Equity Partners.  Adam shares invaluable insights from his journey, transitioning from banking to entrepreneurship, leveraging his MBA from Wharton, and scaling Heyday into a beauty powerhouse. He dives into why beauty is still one of the biggest white spaces in the US and why brands like goGLOW might be the next success story. Adam discusses building brand leaders, trust between franchisees and franchisors, and the importance of strategic partnerships in franchise growth. Tune in for a masterclass on franchising, brand-building, and the future of the beauty industry! Subscribe to hear more from industry leaders and gain insider strategies for franchise success.   “To be successful, you've got to come up with a product that is unique and meaningfully different than anything that's out there. And I think you've got to complement that with a brand that is also quite differentiated and has different pillars and legs versus anything else that's out there in the category." ~ Adam Ross   In This Episode: - Adam's shift from banking to entrepreneurship - Key MBA lessons that shaped Adam’s real-world success - Heyday’s position in today’s industry - Adam’s entrepreneurial strengths and skills - Why Adam stepped down as Heyday CEO - Partnering with Front Street Equity Partners - Taking a small brand to the next level - Heyday’s evolution: early operations to present - The importance of trust between franchisees and franchisors - Why working with a strategic partner is beneficial - Adam’s drive to support emerging brands - Advice for franchisees working with emerging brands   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/ 🌐 goGLOW - https://goglow.co/   Connect with Adam Ross: 🌐 Website - https://frontstreetep.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ross-6bbaab2/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

What if your franchise could generate predictable profits every month without the constant hustle? In this episode, Stu McLaren, an expert on memberships and recurring revenue, reveals the missing link that most franchises overlook. Stu and Erik dive deep into the world of memberships and how they can transform any franchise system. Whether you're a franchisor or a franchisee, understanding the importance of predictable profits and creating a community can unlock massive growth potential.  Stu shares key insights on building effective membership models that generate consistent income and discusses the critical mindset shift needed for business owners to go beyond just one-off transactions. He emphasizes the significance of focusing on transformation and how franchises can leverage this to scale. Stu also reveals strategies for building communities that engage and retain customers, all while avoiding common pitfalls. Want to learn how to add recurring revenue to your business? Tune in for actionable tips to skyrocket your growth and stabilize your cash flow.   “It's not about the stuff; it's the transformation. That's what people are buying. If you can give people the transformation in a shorter amount of time and make it easier, it makes an absolute no-brainer. So it's not about the volume, it's about the transformation." ~ Stu McLaren   In This Episode: - Stu McLaren’s background in entrepreneurship - How membership models are relevant to franchisees - The different types of memberships - Developing a subscription model within a franchise system - Case studies of successful membership models - Mistakes to avoid when creating a membership model - Why giving too much might hurt your offer and what to do instead - Lessons from Stu McLaren’s book, Predictable Profits  - Why franchisors should consider membership models    Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/ 🌐 Book: Predictable Profits by Stu McLaren - https://stu.me/predictable-profits   Connect with Stu McLaren: 🌐 Website - https://membership.io/ and https://stu.me/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stumclaren/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Are you buying a franchise to own a business, or are you just getting another job?  In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Jeff Herr challenge potential franchisees to think beyond just becoming employees in their own business. He explores the key difference between buying a business and merely buying a job and why it’s crucial to understand this distinction. Erik shares practical advice for future franchise owners, emphasizing the importance of building effective systems, understanding territory management, and having the right leadership in place. If you’re planning to buy a franchise, you must learn how to scale smartly, leverage profit-sharing models, and avoid common mistakes that can trap you into working in your business rather than on it. Discover how to turn your franchise into a true business venture!! “Anything can be semi-absentee if you hire the right people to do the work that you're not doing." ~ Erik Van Horn   In This Episode: - Jeff's background as a franchisee - Building franchise equity with the right mindset - Success strategy: focus on strengths, hire for weaknesses - Tracking KPIs for franchise success - Are you attracting the right customers? - Networking with local businesses for growth - Collaboration with complementary businesses - The impact of hiring the right manager for your business - How hard are you working on your business? - Final thoughts from Erik and Jeff   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/   Connect with Jeff Herr: 🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-herr-016703214/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Can franchise ownership really offer freedom, flexibility, and wealth, or is that just a myth? In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn answers the questions franchisees are asking most, including how and when to incentivize managers, what semi-absentee ownership really looks like, and how to structure profit-sharing or equity without costly mistakes.  He discusses the pros and pitfalls of buying resale franchises and offers candid advice for franchisees and emerging franchisors on building leadership, managing expectations, and scaling smartly. Whether you're launching your first location or acquiring your tenth, Erik’s insights will help you avoid common traps and build long-term success.   “You, as a franchisee, take responsibility for the things that aren’t going well. Can you blame your franchisor for some of it? Absolutely! Is it going to help? Probably not. That's why I say take responsibility. Make the changes." ~ Erik Van Horn   In This Episode: - Benefits of semi-absentee ownership in balancing time - Offering business ownership to motivate franchise managers - Hiring strong leaders and fostering a teachable culture - Profit sharing vs. equity: which works better? - Franchisor vs. franchisee: key differences in roles - Investing in a resale franchise: time expectation for ROI - Why brands should embrace AI and technology  - Helpful advice for aspiring franchise owners   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Can you build a business that thrives in any economy? Lane Martin, co-founder of Modern PURAIR®, reveals the secrets behind creating Canada’s fastest-growing air quality franchise. From navigating challenges to empowering franchisees, this episode is your guide to recession-proof success. Today, Erik Van Horn sits down with Lane Martin, the driving force behind Modern PURAIR, to explore how this air quality franchise is setting the standard for success even in challenging economic times. Lane shares insights into what makes Modern PURAIR a standout brand, offering franchisees multiple revenue streams, innovative technology, and a proven playbook for growth. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or considering a franchise opportunity, this conversation is packed with strategies and inspiration to build a business that thrives in any economy. Tune in and learn what it takes to succeed!   “If entrepreneurship were an easy journey, everybody would do it. We speak about that a lot. And a great mindset coach of mine a few years ago taught me a great thing—it's like how you deal with the 'hard.' If you know that 'hard' is gonna come (which it does cause building and growing any business is a difficult thing), be grateful when there's days where you're in cruise control mode." ~ Lane Martin   In This Episode: - Lane Martin’s background and story - What defines an entrepreneur’s journey? - Tackling the challenges of territory expansion  - The role of indoor air quality in Lane’s business - Importance of KPIs in business - Revenue streams at Modern PURAIR - How franchisors help improve franchisee KPIs using AI - The Zero to 500 Playbook by Modern PURAIR   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/   Connect with Lane Martin: 🌐 Website - https://modernpurair.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-martin-7377a114/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Growing a franchise isn’t just about selling locations–it’s about smart, sustainable scaling. Learn how goGLOW is doing it right! Today, Erik Van Horn welcomes back goGLOW founder Melanie Richards to discuss what smart franchise growth really looks like. Melanie shares how she scaled goGLOW from a single location to a rapidly growing franchise by strategically selecting franchise partners, securing the right vendor relationships, and staying financially disciplined. She also reveals why growing too fast can kill a franchise and how founders can avoid common scaling mistakes. goGLOW’s rapid yet strategic expansion proves that smart growth beats fast growth every time. Melanie breaks down the key factors behind goGLOW’s franchise success, from selecting the right partners to managing territories effectively. She also reveals how strategic partnerships play a vital role in scaling, and why franchise owners must think long-term when making growth decisions. With private equity interest growing, Melanie opens up about the challenges of balancing investment opportunities while staying true to the brand’s mission.  Do you want to learn more about the strategy behind goGLOW’s success? Tune in to hear how smart scaling can make all the difference! To learn more about goGLOWs smart growth strategies, you can also listen to this past episode: How goGLOW Built a Franchise Employees Love and Customers Trust With Tori Johnston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWHheuG0p4   “I did see where goGLOW can go. I knew its possibilities, but I wasn't going to do that unless I had the right partners. Franchising is a completely different industry than what I'm in, and I made sure I had experts to go into that world with me." ~ Melanie Richards   In This Episode: - What smart growth means for goGLOW - How goGLOW built a scalable foundation - Taking the right steps with the right people - The power of strategic partnerships - Hiring key team members for franchise growth - The importance of investing in the right people  - Selecting vendors that support franchisees - How goGLOW improved on-site training - Balancing growth speed vs. sustainability - The role of financial discipline in growth   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/ 🌐 Franchise UnConference - https://franchiseunconference.com/ 🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/   Connect with Melanie Richards: 🌐 Website - https://goglow.co/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-richards-a492207/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Would you quit a stable six-figure job to clean toilets? Today's guest did! And he now runs multiple businesses, including a booming Jersey Mike’s franchise! In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Evgeni Kopelevich, a former finance professional who transitioned into small business ownership, franchising, and passive investments. He shares his journey from corporate burnout to multi-unit business success, discussing the challenges of buying mom-and-pop businesses, securing SBA loans, and scaling Jersey Mike’s in his local market. Evgeni breaks down how to evaluate and acquire a business for cash flow, the truth about passive franchise ownership, why Jersey Mike’s is thriving, how he got approved, and how to structure a business partnership for success. Tune in to learn how to build wealth through business ownership!   “It's impossible to be successful in business and not have failures." ~ Evgeni Kopelevich   In This Episode: - How Evgeni got involved with Jersey Mike’s - Decision to stop trading time for money - The truth about franchising - Buying a mom-and-pop business  - Challenges of running a janitorial business - Structuring a business partnership for success - How Evgeni found Jersey Mike’s as the right franchise - The franchise approval process and securing funding - Lessons learned as a business owner   Resources:  🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070 🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617    🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/   Connect with Evgeni Kopelevich: 🌐 Website - https://www.jerseymikes.com/ 💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgeni-kopelevich-b2412138/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: 🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/