Thinking about franchising your business? Before taking the leap, you must know if your business is ready.

In this episode, Erik Van Horn teams up with his business partner, Jeff Herr of Front Street Equity Partners, to discuss one of the most critical decisions an entrepreneur can make: Is your business ready to franchise? They break down the first four of ten essential questions every business owner must answer to determine if franchising is the right move to growing their business.

From evaluating what makes your concept different to determining if your brand is replicable, Jeff and Erik provide the insights and guidelines to ensure your business has the foundation for franchise success. If you’ve ever wondered whether franchising could be the key to explosive growth, this episode is for you.

Tune in to discover the early steps to take before launching a franchise, and get ready for Part 2, where they’ll cover the remaining questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry pros!

Catch the full episode and start assessing your franchising potential today!

“People want to work for a brand, maybe at a lesser income, because they have an affinity to that company—that's brand value. You have to have a point of differentiation in your look, tone, and feel (which is brand) to the outside world, than everybody else." ~ Jeff Herr

In This Episode:

– Is your value proposition unique?

– Are your systems easily transferrable?

– Why embrace continuous improvement for your brand?

– How strong is your brand, and are you ready to invest in it?

– What is strategic defensibility?

– Do you have demand in multiple markets?

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/

🌐 Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne - https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Uncontested-Competition/dp/1591396190

Connect with Jeff Herr:

🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-herr-606b74a/

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/

Why does your brand’s grand opening matter? It’s more than just a celebration—it’s your chance to make a lasting impression that can define your franchise’s success.

In this episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes Brooke Budke of Momentum Brands for her third appearance to share valuable insights into executing a flawless grand opening for franchise brands. With years of experience building brand momentum, Brooke emphasizes why a grand opening is not just a one-time event—it’s a critical opportunity to set the tone for long-term success.

You’ll discover the grand opening formula that ensures your brand makes a powerful first impression. From strategic planning to franchisee responsibilities, Brooke reveals the key actions every franchisor and franchisee must take to draw in customers and solidify their brand in the market.

Whether launching your first franchise or looking to revamp your opening strategy, this episode is packed with tips to ensure you hit the ground running.

Tune in and learn how to make your grand opening unforgettable and drive lasting results for your business.

Catch the previous episodes with Brooke:

The Grand Opening Playbook: Steps to a Successful Launch With Brooke Budke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZZuwLQuEwU

The Franchise Marketing Blueprint: Proven Strategies for Growth With Brooke Budke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjTtPBb0ll0

“People will follow a good leader. The frontline will impact your bottom line. So the people you hire want to work for a good leader. They don't care about the brand's name–they care about the boss." ~ Brooke Budke

In This Episode:

– Preparing for a successful grand opening

– Using data to evaluate your brand’s success

– Biggest challenge when selling franchises

– How to attract people to your grand opening

– Franchisee responsibilities for a successful launch

– How to subscribe to Brooke’s newsletter

– Extra tips for a winning grand opening

– Why some franchisees are not performing well

– Brooke’s advice on what works and what doesn’t

– How franchisors can keep franchisees accountable

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/

🌐 Get the Grand Opening Formula for Franchise Brands - https://momentum-brands.myflodesk.com/grandopening

Connect with Brooke Budke:

🌐 Website - https://www.themomentumbrands.com/

🌐Subscribe to Brooke's Newsletter - https://momentum-brands.myflodesk.com/thesauce

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 does it take to turn a passion for pickleball into a thriving franchise?

In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with The PICKLR co-founders, Jorge Barragan and Austin Wood, to reveal the strategies and lessons behind building one of the most exciting pickleball franchises. From navigating branding challenges to expanding a business with the support of friends and family, Jorge and Austin share their journey of franchising in a rapidly growing sport.

You’ll learn the importance of finding the right partner, how to attract potential franchisees, and why hiring key personnel is essential to scaling your brand. Jorge and Austin also offer valuable advice on overcoming sponsorship and partnership obstacles.

With their diverse backgrounds and complementary skills, this dynamic duo demonstrates the power of collaboration and vision in achieving franchise success. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, this episode is packed with insights on how to grow your business, attract the right partners, and create a lasting brand. Tune in now!

“I don't believe that problems are a thing—you just have to find the solution. I don't believe in losing or failure—I believe in learning. Me and Jorge like to move fast and make solutions and test things out and beta test stuff. We don't have a fear that something may not work. We don't like to overanalyze. We'd like to try it out and see how it goes, and then we can make adjustments and changes." ~ Austin Wood

In This Episode:

– What is DUPR in pickleball?

– Why franchise pickleball? Jorge and Austin’s challenges

– Why branding matters when launching a business

– Growing your franchise with friends and family

– Attracting franchisees through events

– Overcoming challenges with partnerships and sponsorships

– Strengths and weaknesses of Jorge and Austin as partners

– The benefits of hiring key personnel

– Jorge and Austin’s partnership advice

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 Jorge and Austin at The Picklr:

🌐 Website - https://thepicklr.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepicklr/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thepicklr/

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/

How do you turn adversity into a thriving business empire? Today's conversation is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and vision.

Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr

In this episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes George Tinsley Sr., whose journey from poverty in Louisville’s Smoketown to building a multimillion-dollar franchise empire is nothing short of remarkable. George shares his challenges, from his early struggles to overcoming the odds stacked against him. Today, Tinsley Family Concessions operates over 60 restaurant brands in airports across Florida and Kentucky, including household names like KFC, Chili’s, and Starbucks.

George’s insights on faith, tenacity, and seizing opportunities provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. His advice to young entrepreneurs emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to your vision, no matter the obstacles.

Tune in to hear George's powerful story and learn how you can turn challenges into opportunities on your entrepreneurial journey!

“That's the part about becoming a franchisee with a franchisor—the franchisor has a proven product, has resources to keep you in line, its procedures with cooking, serving, development, and so forth. If you deviate from that and want to do George Tinsley's fried chicken, that's on you. You're not gonna be successful.” ~ George Tinsley Sr.

In This Episode:

- How George built his franchise empire

- Lessons learned from Colonel Sanders

- Balancing experience with franchise systems

- The reality of franchising established brands

- George’s surprising success story

- Leadership structure and George’s current responsibilities

- Doing business in unfamiliar communities

- George’s advice for young entrepreneurs

- Profitability in food and restaurant businesses

- George’s advice for aspiring 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/

🌐 The Determined Entrepreneur: The Story of Dr. George Tinsley and the Values that Guided His Journey to Success by James F. Grebey - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/books/

🌐 Catch as Catch Can: Building a Legacy by Finding Opportunity in Every Obstacle by George Tinsley Sr. - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/books/

Connect with George Tinsley Sr.:

🌐 Website - https://tinsleyspeaks.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-wm-tinsley-sr/

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/

Should franchisees manage their own social media accounts, or is it best left to the franchisor? The answer could make or break your brand's online presence.

Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr

In this episode, Erik Van Horn welcomes Brynn Gibbs, Founder and CEO of Consumer Fusion, to discuss the pros and cons of social media for franchisors and franchisees. Brynn, an expert in online reputation management, shares her insights on whether franchisees should run their social media pages or let the franchisor take control. They explore how businesses can leverage social media for brand consistency and customer engagement while avoiding common pitfalls. Brynn also reveals a game-changing strategy and offers a fresh perspective on social media management in the franchising world. With over a decade of experience in reputation management, Brynn has helped countless brands protect and grow their online presence.

If you are involved in franchising or any business and you want to use the power of social media to expand your reach, don’t miss this essential episode!

“With Google Gemini and this generative AI, Google search is changing. Now more than ever, double down on reviews. Google doesn't just look at your old reviews, the review volume, and the content of those old reviews. They're looking at new reviews, new content, and the quality of those new reviews.” ~ Brynn Gibbs

In This Episode:

- Who is Brynn Gibbs?

- Social media guidelines for franchisors vs. franchisees

- Steps to take if franchisees control social media accounts

- Pros and cons of franchisee-managed social media

- Benefits of franchisor-owned social media accounts

- Shared access: Franchisor oversight with local franchisee posts

- Should franchisors post branded content on franchisee accounts?

- Analyzing top-performing social media posts

- How franchisees can create local content

- Best local influencers for franchisees

- Key insights on Google Business Profile

- The importance of Google reviews

- Structuring webinars for maximum impact

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/

🌐 Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk - https://garyvaynerchuk.com/attention/

Connect with Brynn Gibbs:

🌐 Website - https://www.consumerfusion.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynn-gibbs-590276199/

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 happens when your business hits a rough patch, and your franchisees are anything but happy? Discover why having a second-in-command can make or break your company’s future.

Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr

In this powerful episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Cameron Herold, the strategic mastermind who has fueled the growth of companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Sprint Telecom, and even the monarchy of Qatar. Cameron’s impressive track record speaks for itself: by age 21, he had 14 employees, and by 35, he had helped build two companies valued at $100 million each. As COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? he skyrocketed the company from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in just six years, expanding the workforce to 3,100.

But this episode isn’t just about numbers. Cameron reveals a story he's never shared publicly before—how he turned around a group of unhappy franchisees and the crucial lessons he learned as a second-in-command. With insights from his experience and best-selling books, including The Second in Command and Vivid Vision®, Cameron explains why every CEO needs a strong right-hand leader to drive success.

Whether you're a business owner or an aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership, growth, and the power of having a second-in-command.

“Don't learn from mistakes. Learn from the people before you who have already figured it out. My R&D stands for “Rip-off and Duplicate”--I just do what the best people are doing.” ~ Cameron Herold

In This Episode:

- Who needs a second-in-command?

- Cameron’s journey from COO to “The CEO Whisperer”

- The six stages of franchise relationships

- A valuable, rarely shared story from Cameron

- The power of language in franchise partnerships

- Keys to achieving massive business success

- Turning unhappy franchisees into loyal partners

- When to hire a COO and essential qualities to look for

- Handling an employee who is not fit for the role

- Defining your entrepreneurial vision and purpose

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/

🌐 The Six Stages of Franchise Relationships (The Franchise E-Factor) by Greg Nathan - https://www.franchiserelationships.com/shop/the-franchise-e-factor/

🌐 Giftology by John Ruhlin - https://www.amazon.com/Giftology-Increase-Referrals-Strengthen-Retention/dp/1619614332

Connect with Cameron Herold:

🌐 Website - https://cooalliance.com/ and https://cameronherold.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/

Are you a franchise brand tired of wasting time on trial and error? In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Brooke Budke of Momentum Brands to reveal powerful strategies for customer acquisition, lead magnets that convert, and everything you need to fast-track your franchise growth.

Join Over 5,500 Franchisees and Franchisors in our FREE Private Facebook Community HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb?_rdc=1&_rdr

Why should you listen to Brooke? As one of the top eight female CMOs in franchising and a former brand president, she’s a true marketing powerhouse. With over a decade of franchise marketing expertise, Brooke’s strategies are designed to cut through the noise and deliver results. Her innovative approach and positive, growth-focused mindset have propelled countless brands to new heights of success.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your franchise marketing and drive profitability. Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the best in the business and transform your franchise’s future!

Catch the previous episode with Brooke: The Grand Opening Playbook: Steps to a Successful Launch With Brooke Budke

“Repetition is the reason why brands grow because what you recognize gets repeated. And if you recognize certain behaviors every single month, the franchisees will repeat that.” - Brooke Budke

In This Episode:

- Brooke’s top tip that's guaranteed to deliver results

- How to subscribe to Brooke’s newsletter and why it’s a game-changer

- The must-have tool: Why every brand needs a newsletter

- Your email list: The asset more valuable than social media

- Should franchisors build a big list or empower franchisees to grow their own?

- Good vs. bad lead magnets in franchise development

- Effective lead magnets for grand openings

- Brooke’s latest lead magnet

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 Brooke Budke:

🌐 Website - https://www.themomentumbrands.com/

🌐Subscribe to Brooke's Newsletter - https://momentum-brands.myflodesk.com/thesauce

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/