So Here's The Thing: 2026 Restaurant Industry Predictions

The Franchise Rock Stars are back on Social Geek to share their tips and advice for navigating the International Franchise Association Convention and all business travel in 2026. On the show today: Derrick Ableman, Ali Kraus, Scott Greenberg, and Kristen Pechacek with host Jack Monson. Our tips include: Explore the newly Evolved schedule Engage the all-new Franchise Main Street Bring changes of shoes Stay at The Luxor … really!! Go to the Starbucks that helps you avoid longer lines Befriend your competitors and rivals Give your booth a breather Connect instead of sell Schedule meetings IN ADVANCE Use the great new IFA App Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and more Thanks to today’s podcast sponsors who will all be joining us in Vegas: AnswerConnect at booth 611 / Citrin Cooperman at booth 834 / CareerPlug at booth 700 / Thunderly at booth 329.  What’s a tip you would like to share from your experiences at IFA Conventions? Please share in the comments! Links: To join us at IFA 2026, please register asap at franchise.org Download the IFA Events App And for more podcasts, visit socialgeekradio.comSpecial Guests: Ali Kraus, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Scott Greenberg.

So, Here's The Thing ... Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson are chatting today about all of the things that get assigned the Marketers within a restaurant brand. We're also keeping an eye on the use of Bitcoin as payments by some of our favorite brands including Steak 'n Shake Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

Today we’re announcing the winners of this year’s Franchise Thought Leadership Awards. We’ll name the 10 Franchise Leaders are currently leading all of us in Franchising to more prosperity and growth by sharing their ideas, speaking up, putting out thoughtful content, getting people talking, and inspiring others to do the same. The nominees were submitted by you, the Social Geek listeners, and the ten top vote-getters were chosen by a team of independent judges. Congratulations to all winners and thanks for moving us all forward.

So, Here's The Thing ...  Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson have been chatting regularly about the changes, acquisitions, and deals in the restaurant space. Now we're sharing those conversations with you. Please join us!Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.

Year 17 of the most popular franchise podcast rolls on! This week…we’re live in chilly Fort Lauderdale at Franchise Expo South. The iguanas are freezing, but the franchise opportunities are heating up. We’re talking to fran dev leaders and CEOs of several brands to find out how hot the landscape is for 2026. On today’s show: Justin Denham, Pool Duck Scott SirLouis, FSC Franchise / Beef O’Brady’s / Brass Tap Bob Crawford, Central Bark Mike Ackley, Ascent Hospitality / Perkins / Huddle House Christina Gambino, Jumptwist Ninja Mark Sturman, My Lobby Mart Lindsay Morgan, CM Law Daniel Trigo, UniVista Insurance Stephen Hitt, Industrious Thanks to MFV Expositions, Thunderly, and AnswerConnect

Happy New Year, Geeks! And welcome to Year 17 of Social Geek Podcast and our New Year’s Day Special. We’ve got 26 Franchise Pros sharing their goals for ‘26: Heather McLeod Ricky Richardson Susan Beth Jania Bailey John Hayes Kris Stuart Emily George Paul Segreto Lauren Fernandez Brent Greenwood Edith Wiseman Jerry Akers Robert Mitchell Martha Tomas Flynn Gabby Wong Richie Huffman Jennifer Durham Marci Kleinsasser Emma Dickison Larisa Walega And we’ll wrap up with the Franchise Rock Star Panel: Ali Kraus Danielle Wright Derrick Ableman Kristen Pechacek Scott Greenberg And your host, Jack Monson Thanks to today’s sponsors Citrin Cooperman, AnswerConnect, and Thunderly.

Today on the most popular franchise podcast, we’re wrapping up 2025 with the Franchise Rock Stars. What did we learn this year? What worked? What did NOT work?  Today's Franchise Rock Star Panel: Derrick Ableman, Scott Greenberg, Kristen Pechacek, and Danielle Wright joining host Jack Monson. We’re missing Ali Kraus today --  see you in January! Thanks to all of our sponsors for 2025: Citrin Cooperman, Northeast Color, WSI, Hughes, Vendasta, Franzy, Promotex, and Thunderly.Special Guests: Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Scott Greenberg.

We talk a lot about Multi-Unit Owners and Legacy Brands in franchising. But the life blood for the future of franchising and small business ownership is the Emerging Brand. Today on the most popular franchise podcast, we’re live at the SMB Franchise Summit hearing from new Emerging Franchisors about how they’re growing in 2026! Thanks for joining us: Marc Howland of Breadless Dominique Sandu of D. Sierra Lash Co. Fabienne Van Buchem and Aditya Jain of Beambar Steve Moore of Epoxy Depot Courtney Del Vecchio of Sweatfluence Tamika Franklyn of Precision Franchise And thanks to Steve Beagelman, Dawn Abbamondi and the SMB Franchise Advisors crew for hosting us. Thanks to Citrin Cooperman, Northeast Color,, Hughes, and Thunderly

The Franchise News Podcast with Jack Monson for November 26, 2025 Thanks to Thunderly (https://thunderlymarketing.com/) and Hughes (http://hughes.com/franchise).

We're back live at Franchise Expo Austin! In Part Two, host Jack Monson is chatting with more franchise development leaders and CEOs of some the top brands in franchising. We’ll find out about their goals and plans for 2026. Joining today's show: Scott McIntosh, Mr Gatti's Pizza Marcus Fuller, Beef-A-Roo Bruce Granger, NaturaLawn of America Ty Brewster, FranReal Randolph Clarito, 1 Heart Caregiver Services Josh Kerns, Conquest Padel Club Chris Wellbaum, Level Up Leak Detection John Doty, Freshslice Pizza Jack Stewart, SMB Franchise Advisors Rodney Frank, Yonutz And we wrap up the event with Martin Joksimovic, President of MFV Expositions, who gives us a preview of the franchise expos in 2026 in great cities like Fort Lauderdale, New York, Dallas, Cincinnati, and Phoenix.  Thanks to the whole MFV Expositions sales & marketing team for a fantastic year: Linda Thompson, Justin Wood, Frank Fazio, Simone Smith, Rafael Arango. Thanks to Citrin Cooperman, Northeast Color, Hughes, and Thunderly