In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with

Will Cantrell, a seasoned employment and franchise attorney, regarding the intricacies of franchise law.

Cantrell, Founding Partner of Cantrell Schuette, P.A. is a nationally recognized leading attorney in handling complex disputes, litigation, and trials. Apart from his background in general commercial litigation, he specializes the areas of employment law, partnership and shareholder law, and franchisee/dealership law.

Cantrell is a graduate of FSU College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2008), where he was selected for the Order of the Coif, graduating in the top five percent of his law class. He also received a master’s degree in international economics from FSU (M.A., cum laude, 2005)

After law school, Cantrell obtained a coveted judicial clerkship with the Honorable Hugh Lawson, United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Georgia.

Gosser and Cantrell discuss due diligence for potential franchisees, emphasizing the importance of consulting existing franchisees and being cautious of sales pitches. He highlights key elements of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to review, including financial disclosures and the experience of those running the franchise. Additionally, Cantrell touches on the implications of joint employer rule changes by the NLRB and how proposed alterations could affect the franchise model. He advises new franchisees on negotiating franchise agreements and underscores the need for legal support when entering a franchise agreement. Cantrell also reflects on his career, expressing pride in building a successful law firm specializing in employment and franchise law.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Michael Seaman,

co-founder and CEO of Swipesum, a comprehensive payment processing and merchant services consultancy delivering innovative auditing solutions to businesses nationwide. Seaman founded Swipesum in 2016 with his brother, Stephen, to serve as Chief Payments Officer for businesses nationwide, combining industry knowledge, AI and proprietary software to create a transparent payments strategy that optimizes payment processing fees. The company has been recognized by the Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. and by Entrepreneur as a 2024 Top Franchise Supplier. Before starting Swipesum, Seaman worked at Worldpay after graduating from Samford University where he earned a place in their Athletics Hall of Fame as a pole vaulter.

In the episode Seaman shares his early entrepreneurial experiences, including an Etsy business and niche products, and how his upbringing influenced his career. Seaman explains Swipesum's unique approach in helping businesses, particularly franchises, with merchant services and payment solutions. He delves into the company's use of AI to optimize services, their transparent pricing structures, and how they've earned top franchise supplier ratings. He also highlights the importance of human touch in customer service despite AI advancements. Seaman discusses his journey from college entrepreneur to heading a technology company specializing in payment processing solutions. The episode concludes with a look at the future of Swipesum and reflections on Michael’s professional journey and insights into the franchise industry.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser and Co-Host with Dr. Isabel Botero speaks with Aaron Engler, President of Border Foods, a large family-owned Taco Bell franchisee, and Mollie Sommer, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist. Engler and Sommer share their backgrounds, professional journeys, and the roles they have undertaken in the family business which operates over 250 Taco Bell restaurants with 7,000 employees. Sommer details her transition from various positions in Chicago to a year-long stint at a Taco Bell restaurant, eventually moving into community engagement. Engler discusses his expansive journey from failing out of college twice to taking on multiple roles within Border Foods to eventually leading it for nearly 20 years. They explore the entrepreneurial spirit, governance, and family dynamics that define Border Foods. The discussion highlights key values like family, teamwork, and accountability, and emphasizes the importance of communication in family businesses. They also discuss initiatives such as a unique two-story drive-thru Taco Bell named 'Defy' and their generous community outreach efforts.