Franchise Voice

Franchise Voice host Jack Monson brings interviews with the top leaders in Franchising recorded at the IFA 2026 convention. The 2026 Ronald E. Harrison Award winners are Omar Simmons and Raynya Simmons. They join the podcast to discuss their vision for making the franchise space bigger and more inclusive with the IFA Ascension Initiative. Omar and Raynya share how the Ascension Initiative has grown from 17 graduates in 2024 to 45 graduates in 2025! And we’ll discuss how the program will grow over the next few years. Next, we’ll learn from some of the most influential suppliers in Franchising: Abby Schmidt and Ben Rush of Paychex and Jonathan Hill of Morrow Hill. These subject matter experts share the latest trends in the economics of franchising and small business ownership. Today’s podcast is sponsored by City Lifestyle. Special Guests: Abby Schmidt, Ben Rush, Matthew Montoya, Omar Simmons, and Raynya Simmons.

This episode was recorded live at The International Franchise Association's 2026 Convention in Las Vegas with host Jack Monson. Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands and former Chair of the IFA, discusses the increased energy and the evolution at IFA2026. She also shares the latest on the status of The American Franchise Act and the Coalition to Save Local Businesses. We’ll also chat with Franchise subject matter experts Karen Booze of AnswerConnect and Dan Bedell of Scorpion about how their teams are helping Franchisors and Franchisees with the rapidly changing realities in customer experience and franchise marketing. Special Guests: Catherine Monson, Dan Bedell, and Karen Booze.

We are wrapping up 2025 on this edition of Franchise Voice with conversations about the current state of Franchising with Tamra Kennedy, multi-unit franchise owner and IFA Board Member, and Michael Layman, IFA’s Chief Advocacy Officer. Host Jack Monson and guests dive advocacy issues including how changes in regulations have affected franchise owners, including the improvements in the Joint Employer situation, the effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and the tremendous momentum of the bi-partisan American Franchise Act. A special THANK YOU to The International Franchise Association’s Preferred Vendors for your support this year: AnswerConnect, Benetrends, Constant Contact, Consumer Fusion, Morrow Hill, Paychex, and Scorpion. For more information and contacts mentioned on this episode, please visit franchise.org Special Guests: Michael Layman and Tamra Kennedy.

International Franchise Association President & CEO Matt Haller shares a preview of the IFA Advocacy Summit 2025. Matt discusses how the changes in DC since last year’s Summit are affecting our agenda on Capitol Hill including a proposed permanent solution to Joint Employer. We also run down the speakers at the Summit including CNN’s Scott Jennings, entrepreneurship advocate Codie Sanchez, and Senator Roger Marshall. One of the challenges in the franchise community is complacency; let’s not let up on the momentum we’ve gained and join your peers in Washington, DC September 15 – 17! Register now! Today's episdoe is sponsored by ActiveCampaign.

Today’s Franchise Voice podcast is presented by Wisetail and features more conversations from the floor of The IFA World Franchise Show in Miami. Host Jack Monson chats with several top franchise leaders to share competitive advantages, why franchising works for their brands, and forecasts for franchising for 2025 and 2026. Today’s guests: Jim Holthouser, CEO, GoTo Foods Sally Facinelli, CEO, Salty Dawg Pet Salon Jerry Akers, Multi-Brand/Multi-Unit Owner and Founder of ZDynamix Craig Sherwood, SVP Development, The Joint Chiropractic

“Franchising unlocks the American Dream.” -John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands Today’s Franchise Voice podcast is presented by Wisetail and features more conversations from the floor of The IFA World Franchise Show in Miami. Host Jack Monson speaks with many of today’s top franchise leaders about their brands, why franchising is making such an impact, and what’s up next for the rest of this year. You’ll hear from: John Peyton, Dine Brands Ethan Albrecht-Carrié, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Josh Minturn, Authority Brands George Knauff, My Perfect Franchise David Berg, Reef Health Chase Dalton, Silicon Signs

Franchise Voice is THE podcast from the International Franchise Association, hosted by Jack Monson. The IFA is partnering with exciting new franchise expos this year offering franchise opportunities globally. Today we’ll learn about The International Franchise Show London in April from show producer Simon Chicken. And we’ll chat with Matt Hallman, event manager for The World Franchise Show in Miami this May, Today’s podcast is brought you by Vendasta and ActiveCampaign. And learn more about these events at https://www.ifafranchiseshow.com/ and https://www.thefranchiseshow.co.uk/Special Guest: Simon Chicken.

We’re continuing our series of conversations with leaders at this year’s IFA Annual Convention. Today you’ll hear about the IFA’s Ascension Initiative with Omar Simmons, Raynya Simmons, David Smith, and Clarence Howell. The Franchise Ascension Initiative provides knowledge, network, and navigation for business owners. The program matches talented individuals with brands and presents Franchising as a powerful – and welcoming – escalator of wealth. Today’s podcast is brought to you by Vendasta and ActiveCampaignSpecial Guests: Clarence Howell, David Smith, Omar Simmons, and Raynya Simmons.

We’re kicking off a series of episodes highlighting leaders and award winners at this year’s IFA Annual Convention with host Jack Monson. Today you’ll hear from Dan Monaghan, CEO of Clear Summit Group, and winner of the William Rosenberg Leadership Award. Dan shares his view on franchising’s future and the impact of AI and other innovations on the space. Next, we’ll chat with Richard Weissman, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chair of The Learning Experience. Richard is also this year’s IFA Entrepreneur of the Year and discusses the business climate he sees for fellow entrepreneurs in 2025. Thanks to ActiveCampaign and Hughes. Special Guests: Dan Monaghan and Richard Weissman.

Matt Haller, President and CEO of The International Franchise Association, shares an update of a busy end of 2024 including positive changes in the NLRB and his review of the upcoming Federal Trade Commission and Small Business Administration leadership nominees who will have an impact on Franchising. Matt also gives a preview of the 2025 IFA Convention with speakers James Clear, Danny Hughes, and incoming IFA Chair Mary Thompson. Today’s podcast is brought to you by Hughes. Register now for IFA 2025: https://www.franchise.org Read the brochure for this exciting event: https://issuu.com/franchise411/docs/convention_brochure_2025

Welcome to THE podcast from the International Franchise Association: Franchise Voice. Today we’re speaking with IFA President and CEO Matt Haller and IFA Board member / multi-unit franchise owner Rob Branca. This conversation was recorded live at the IFA’s Summer Board Meeting in Nashville with host Jack Monson. Matt and Rob share updates on several tax and financial issues that will soon affect small business owners. Thanks to today’s sponsor, Xpressdocs.Special Guest: Rob Branca.

Today we're wrapping up our series recorded live at IFA 2024 with the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman of College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving. Nick and Omar discuss their thoughts on the award, the evolution they've seen in 20 years in franchising, and what they want to share with the next generation of business leaders. We'll also check in with Jamie Izaks of All Points PR on AI and other takeaways from this convention!Special Guests: Jamie Izaks, Nick Friedman, and Omar Soliman.

Why is Franchising so important to your community and to the next generation of business leaders? On this special edition of Franchise Voice, host Jack Monson speaks with some of the top leaders in franchising live at IFA 2024! Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands, has just won the IFA Hall of Fame Award. Catherine shares her thoughts on the hall of famers who came before and those will lead franchising in the next generation. She also discusses this year’s theme of smart franchising, her advice for those just starting their entrepreneurial journey, and why franchising is the important means for wealth creation for all people. Paul Pickett, CDO of Wild Bird Unlimited, is this year’s winner of the Ronald E Harrison Award recognizing Paul’s hard work in increasing diversity in franchising. He also shares his views as franchising as an important part of every local economy and community. Plus, we have an update on Joint Employer, The NLRB, and other issues from Michael Layman, SVP of Government Relations, and Public Affairs at the IFA. Michael looks ahead to how this year’s presidential election will affect national and state public policies on which IFA is working. Learn more about the upcoming Senate vote and The IFA petition to the White House on the IFA site. Special Guests: Catherine Monson, Michael Layman, and Paul Pickett.