Franchise Secrets Podcast

Everyone wants an AI silver bullet—but franchise success still comes down to execution. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Brian Holmes (Franchise Ramp, AI Front Desk) break down how real operators are using AI to scale without losing culture, quality, or profit. Learn how AI saves 65,000+ hours, the truth behind "failed" AI pilots, and why most leaders still get it wrong.   👉 Subscribe for more franchise growth, systems, and scaling insights: FranchiseSecrets.com   Timestamps: 00:00 – The myth of the silver bullet in business 01:19 – The first time Eric heard about ChatGPT 04:20 – How Brian's Liberty Tax days shaped his franchise mindset 05:46 – Building Franchise Ramp: from 0 to 1,200 locations 06:17 – Why culture drives every result at Franchise Ramp 10:33 – Why saying "no" creates world-class execution 11:51 – The AI hype vs. the real business impact 17:10 – How to spot fake AI vendors and bad pilots 26:49 – The real problem AI Front Desk solves for franchises 47:53 – The results: 1.1M tasks done and 65,000 hours saved   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchise #AI #Systems

Everyone wants time freedom, but few understand what it costs.   Franchisee Alex Read joins Erik Van Horn to share his journey from the early days of 1-800-GOT-JUNK to building with Modern PURAIR. After years of experience and a few expensive mistakes, Alex reveals why you can't just throw money at the problem — and why real success requires being two feet in.   They unpack the difference between delegating and abdicating, the truth about semi-absentee ownership, and why emerging brands demand leaders, not investors.   If you've ever dreamed of owning your time through franchising, this episode is a wake-up call.   Topics Covered:   -Why "semi-absentee" can become "fully absent" -The reality of emerging franchise brands -Building culture vs. hiring for convenience -The value of failure and how it shapes real entrepreneurs -What 1-800-GOT-JUNK taught Alex about leadership and growth   Timestamps:    00:00 – You Can't Shortcut Time Freedom 02:55 – From the UK to Canada: Starting Over from Scratch 04:30 – Discovering 1-800-GOT-JUNK 07:28 – Hire for Spark, Not Just Skill 09:30 – The Power of Vision and Accountability 12:34 – Why I Bought a Second Brand 15:48 – The Brand I Said I'd Never Buy 21:50 – The Truth About Semi-Absentee Ownership 25:54 – You Can't Outsource Grit 29:03 – When the GM Leaves, So Does Your Freedom   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #FranchiseSecrets #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FranchisePodcast #TimeFreedom #Leadership #EmergingBrands #FranchiseOwner #AlexRead #ErikVanHorn #BusinessMindset

So many franchise buyers think "semi-absentee ownership" means passive income — but that couldn't be further from the truth.   In this episode, Erik Van Horn (host of Franchise Secrets) breaks down what semi-absentee really looks like once the hype fades and reality hits. From bad hires to broken systems, Erik explains how he learned — the hard way — that you have to earn the right to step back.   You'll learn:   -Why passive franchise ownership is mostly a myth -The difference between semi-absentee and absentee models -How to avoid checking out too early and ending up "back in the weeds" -What systems, people, and culture you must build first -How to design your business for real freedom -If you've ever been sold the dream of mailbox money, this is your wake-up call.   Timestamps:   00:00 – The painful lesson I learned from checking out too early 01:00 – The fantasy of semi-absentee ownership 03:40 – The "London scenario" that exposes your weak spots 06:54 – Ask this emotional question before buying any franchise 07:54 – Why "absentee franchise" is a red flag 09:20 – What true semi-absentee success actually looks like 14:17 – How lazy delegation destroys your business 18:51 – The real currency of freedom: systems 22:32 – Using AI and playbooks to scale smarter 37:44 – Don't chase lifestyle too early — earn it first   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #FranchiseSecrets #FranchiseOwnership #PassiveIncome

Thinking about buying a franchise? Erik Van Horn and Bobby Brennan break down the real journey: from the "fee stage" burn to stabilization, optimization, and finally scale or exit. We cover why "passive" is a myth, how to avoid starving your marketing, when (and when not) to use profit sharing, and what separates podium revenue from real EBITDA.   Timestamps:    00:00 Don't buy a franchise for short-term income 00:42 Intro: Franchise Secrets w/ Eric & Bobby 01:12 The "passive" myth & real losses 02:51 Transparency from operators & brokers 12:40 Phase 1: Investment/Burn (intentional negative cash flow) 22:54 Phase 2: Stabilization (6–18 months) 33:02 Phase 3: Optimization (18–36 months) 44:08 Phase 4: Scale or Exit (Years 3–7) 49:06 Owner vs employee mindset (long-term wealth) 51:54 Wrap-up + resources & links   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchise #Franchisee #FranchiseSecrets

Many entrepreneurs fail at investing for one simple reason: they say "yes" too much. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Justin Donald break down the investor mindset, tax plays that compound, and how world-class networks unlock better terms, sponsors, and returns—plus the Guardian Bikes grand-slam story (featuring Mark Cuban).   Timestamps:   00:00 – Why great investors say "no" 95% of the time 01:57 – Solar credits & how fast legislation changes 03:56 – Masterminds that pay for themselves 04:24 – Compounding: tax, education, deals 07:37 – Money-back guarantees from sponsors?! 11:06 – The real ROI of networks (vendors, sponsors, peers) 12:40 – Deal terms you should ask for: the "put option" 24:53 – How to spot outlier deals that look "the same" 46:56 – Family-office asset allocation (60/40 is dead) 50:44 – Build a non-emotional investment machine   Resources Mentioned   Website: lifestyleinvestor.com  – free resources, masterclasses, masterminds, and courses   Podcast: https://lifestyleinvestor.com/podcast/   Book: The Lifestyle Investor (updated & expanded edition) https://access.lifestyleinvestor.com/lifestyleinvestor-book?utm_source=website&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=redirect   Free strategy call: lifestyleinvestor.com/consultation     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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Compounding #Masterminds #Dealflow

From Googling "Can you sell a franchise after 4 months?" to owning and scaling a multi-brand franchise empire, Anna Dey's story is the ultimate masterclass in perseverance and smart growth.   In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik sits down with Anna to uncover how she: -Survived brutal 2 a.m. shifts and near-burnout -Has owned and scaled brands including Anytime Fitness, Clean Eatz, Smoothie King, goGLOW, and more -Learned to empower leaders, exit markets strategically, and build a thriving charity that's raised $2.6 million for kids   Whether you're an aspiring franchisee or a seasoned operator, Anna's hard-won insights on pivoting, scaling, and staying profitable will inspire and equip you.   Timestamps   00:00 — Anna's early struggles and the 4-month near-quit moment 02:18 — From corporate America to first franchise success with Anytime Fitness 06:43 — The challenge of managing six different franchise concepts at once 11:35 — Why Anytime Fitness had to reinvent its brand (and how owners reacted) 15:12 — Clean Eatz: from exhausting all-nighters to top-performing units 20:37 — Staying calm when early months feel overwhelming (and money is tight) 24:42 — The surprising grand-opening flop that turned into her best Smoothie King 28:42 — Why GoGlo fit Anna's perfect investment formula (low labor, small footprint) 36:34 — Inside the 24-and-24 Foundation: $2.6 million raised for kids' wishes 42:50 — How empowering better-than-you managers unlocks exponential growth   Resources: Join Erik's free franchise community: FranchiseSecrets.com/Facebook Explore the Franchisee Mastermind: ScalableFranchise.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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Resilience

Jerry Pugh went from making $5 an hour as a paramedic to owning 19+ Workout Anytime gyms—and then shocked the franchise world by buying the entire 200-unit brand. Everyone said it was impossible. Private equity experts said no way. Yet Jerry made it happen and now leads the company as CEO.   In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Jerry shares how he scaled fast, knew when to close a failing location, negotiated with landlords, attracted private equity, and ultimately pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime majority ownership deal.   If you're an entrepreneur, franchisee, or dream of building something big, this story will light a fire under you. 💥   ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Everyone said it couldn't be done: the impossible franchise deal 02:20 – From paramedic to first Workout Anytime franchise purchase 05:40 – Lessons learned closing a money-losing location 09:30 – Planting the seed to one day own the brand 13:45 – Innovating early with wellness suites & bigger gyms 17:50 – How premium amenities doubled lifetime customer value 22:10 – Cutting churn & boosting retention with smart engagement 26:45 – Building trust and relationships as a first-time franchisor CEO 29:50 – Teaching franchisees to scale and attract private equity 33:30 – Pulling off a rare majority-ownership deal with debt & equity 39:30 – Jerry's final advice: work harder, take risks, see opportunities others miss   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Grit

Thinking about starting a franchise while working full-time (and maybe raising a family too)? 🚀 In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Bobby Brennan shares his journey from employee → sweat equity partner → franchisee → "semi-absentee" owner.   He reveals the real cost of chasing franchise ownership when your capacity is maxed out, the truth about franchisor value, and why "failure" can be the best teacher. If you've ever considered buying a franchise or wondered whether semi-absentee ownership really works, this is a must-watch.   👉 Learn how to avoid the semi-absentee trap, retain rockstar employees with equity, and recognize when you're overconfident in your business picks.   Timestamps:   00:00 – Adding a franchise on top of a newborn, new home, and full-time work 01:28 – From employee to sweat equity partner in a 60+ unit franchise 05:45 – The "owner's mindset" that changed everything 07:06 – The 4 I's every rockstar team member needs (Initiative, Integrity, Intentionality, Influence) 09:25 – How Bobby tested his limits (and his boss's patience) with risky decisions 12:18 – When a medical device job offer almost pulled him away 14:44 – Why equity and culture kept him in franchising 19:42 – Retaining top talent with phantom equity & profit share 27:11 – The hard truth: the franchisor does more than you realize 33:06 – Bobby's biggest franchise lesson: the semi-absentee trap 36:56 – Why "failure" isn't the end—it's a setup for the next opportunity 41:36 – Missing out on OrangeTheory (and the humility of bad picks) 47:05 – Final advice: ask Why not me? and create your own path   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchising #Ownership #Success

Are you secretly holding your franchise back? In this episode, Erik reveals how he became the bottleneck in his own businesses—and the hard lessons that helped him break free. From scaling mistakes to fixing bad decisions, discover the truth every franchisee must face if they want to grow profitably.   ⏱️ Timestamps   00:00 – How franchisees sabotage their own teams 02:45 – Why scaling back can actually grow profits 04:25 – The nightmare of "Store #3" 06:15 – The pricing mistake that killed momentum 07:58 – Spotting the "underperformer clubs" 10:26 – Why you need to step OUT of your locations 12:15 – How sabbaticals reveal hidden weaknesses 14:34 – Don't follow the loudest voices in franchising 17:59 – The real definition of winning in business 19:43 – Why paid ads can't fix broken operations 22:35 – Stop focusing on what you can't change 25:53 – Franchisees & franchisors: more aligned than you think   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Franchise #Franchisee #Business

Most investors are playing the wrong game. Billionaires? They treat investing like a business. In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Bob Fraser—entrepreneur, investor, and author of Invest Like a Billionaire—to uncover how the ultra-wealthy think differently, avoid risk, and build generational wealth.   From bouncing back after losing millions to structuring investments for tax advantages and family legacy, Bob shares the insider strategies that institutional investors and billionaire families use—but almost no one talks about.   Whether you're an entrepreneur with cash on the sidelines, a franchise owner scaling up, or simply someone wanting to learn how to build lasting wealth, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won't hear from your average financial advisor.   TIMESTAMPS:   00:00 – Why billionaires treat investing like a business 02:05 – Spotting winners early & the power of resilience 04:47 – Bob's journey: dot-com boom to financial crash 06:30 – Why billionaires avoid the 60/40 portfolio trap 09:06 – The #1 mistake most investors make 12:38 – The overlooked superpower of private markets 17:02 – Liquidity planning & using lines of credit wisely 22:05 – Private credit: the most underused cashflow strategy 24:47 – Tax structures that can save millions 29:55 – Why you should always diversify outside your business 34:32 – Real estate cycles & how to spot good deals 39:42 – How smart investors evaluate deals beyond IRR 44:31 – Building generational wealth & family meetings 47:36 – Teaching kids (and grandkids) to steward money 50:23 – Where to get Bob's book Invest Like a Billionaire   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/    Best Franchise Starter Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL   #Investing #Strategy #FranchiseSecrets