From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying
Franchise Business Review is the trusted, independent source for franchise research. Join FBR President and COO Michelle Rowan as she demystifies the franchise buying process. From funding to franchisee satisfaction, she...
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- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
250 to 2.3K🎙 Weekly cadence·54 episodes·Last published 2d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
500 to 4.5K🇺🇸100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
275 to 2.5K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/26/26 | Franchise Shopping in the Age of ChatGPT | Send us Fan Mail More franchise candidates now begin their search in a chatbot rather than a search engine, while franchisors are using AI to find, qualify, and market to those same people. Steve Buors, CEO and co-founder of Reshift Media, joins Allison to explain what that shift means if you’re thinking about buying a franchise. He covers where AI helps most (narrowing sectors, summarizing a dense FDD, surfacing franchisee sentiment) and where it misleads, including confident wrong answers a... | 31m 54s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 | What You Inherit When You Buy An Existing Franchise | Send us Fan Mail Taylor Abbott’s family bought an existing San Antonio print shop in 2009 without knowing a thing about printing, and four years later revenue had slid from $1 million to $600,000. Franchising was their last-ditch move, and it turned the business around. In this episode of From A to Franchisee, Taylor talks about converting a respected independent shop, what he inherited when he later bought an existing franchise location, and why he replaced the entire staff within a year. He... | 37m 38s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 | Is Education Franchising Worth It? | Send us Fan Mail Host: Allison Dudas Guest: Anneliese Brosch, Director of Client Success, Franchise Business Review Summary Childcare and tutoring are among the last things families cut when budgets tighten, and that resilience keeps education franchising on prospective owners' radar. In this episode, Allison Dudas and Anneliese Brosch walk through FBR's 2026 education sector report, drawn from more than 1,700 franchisees across 14 brands. They cover what it takes to get started, why finding ... | 28m 38s | ||||||
| 10/5/26 | Interview with Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole | Send us Fan Mail Hosts: Allison Dudas & Mariah Morgan, Franchise Business Review Guest: Aisha "Pinky" Cole Hayes, Founder & CEO of Slutty Vegan Pinky Cole has lived the full arc of restaurant entrepreneurship, from lines down the block and a $33 million investment to a restructuring that left her without her company for 43 days. She joins Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan to share how she bought Slutty Vegan back and rebuilt it as a franchise system. She also speaks candidly about the m... | 46m 10s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 | Top 10 Food & Beverage Franchises of 2026 | Send us Fan Mail Hosts: Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan, Franchise Business Review Coffee, chicken, pizza, and ice cream all made the cut. In this episode, Allison Dudas and Mariah Morgan reveal FBR's Top 25 Food & Beverage Franchises of 2026, ranked by more than 11,000 real franchisees across 52 brands. They dig into the data behind the rankings, what franchisees love, where brands are falling short, and what income actually looks like in this space, before counting down to this year's n... | 25m 41s | ||||||
| 9/21/26 | From Employee to Owner: Tax Moves That Set Franchisees Up to Win | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President, Franchise Business Review Guest: Paul Kuskowski, IRS Enrolled Agent and Founder of Cobalt Tax Services Making the leap from employee to franchise owner means more than swapping a paycheck for a P&L — it means rethinking how you find business, manage cash flow, and structure your company from day one. In this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan sits down with Paul Kluskowski, an IRS enrolled agent and founder of Cobalt Tax ... | 41m 06s | ||||||
| 9/14/26 | 50 Franchises That Survive Any Economy | Send us Fan Mail Which Franchises Can Weather a Downturn? FBR's 2026 Recession-Resistant List With economic uncertainty on everyone's mind, Michelle Rowan sits down with Allison Dudas to unpack Franchise Business Review's 2026 list of the Top 50 Recession-Resistant Franchises. Built from survey data on nearly 29,000 franchisees across 330 brands, the list highlights companies positioned to hold steady — or even grow — when consumers start tightening their budgets. Michelle and Allison break d... | 43m 06s | ||||||
| 9/7/26 | Owning a YogaSix Franchise: A Married Couple's Journey to 7 Studios | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guests; Toni King and Audrey Ryder, Multi-Unit Franchisees from YogaSix Two elite athletes. One shared love of yoga. Seven studios and counting. On this episode of From A to Franchisee, host Michelle Rowan talks with Audrey Ryder and Toni King about trading a rowing career and a black belt in Taekwondo for life as YogaSix franchise owners. They walk through how they picked YogaSix over other franchise options, the d... | 47m 40s | ||||||
| 8/31/26 | Is the American Franchise Act Good For Franchisees? | Send us Fan Mail Michelle is joined by multi-unit Taco John's franchisee Tamra Kennedy to discuss whether the American Franchise Act is good for franchisees. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTube Summary This episode explores the American Franchise Act and why it matters for franchisees, franchisors, and anyone considering franchise ownership. Tam Kennedy shares her decades of experience in franchising, offering clear insight into the joint employer debate, the impor... | 49m 17s | ||||||
| 8/24/26 | Kona Ice Founder Tony Lamb: Building a Franchise Empire | Send us Fan Mail From a scrappy startup to the top of Franchise Business Review's satisfaction rankings for over a decade, Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb has cracked the code on franchising. He joins Franchise Business Review's founder Eric Stites to break down the real numbers behind mobile franchising and why he still obsesses over franchisee happiness. You won't want to miss this founder-to-founder conversation. Resources The Top 200 Franchises of 2026Kona Ice's Franchisee Satisfaction ReportT... | 1h 17m 27s | ||||||
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| 8/17/26 | The Most Innovative Franchise Brands of 2026 | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Allison Dudas, Senior Marketing Manager of Franchise Business Review What makes a franchise truly innovative, and how can you tell before you invest? Michelle and Allison Dudas break down FBR's 50 Most Innovative Franchises of 2026 and reveal the signals that separate forward-thinking brands from the rest. They unpack the data behind the list, including why 96% of franchisees would recommend their brand, why ... | 38m 38s | ||||||
| 7/27/26 | REPLAY: What Makes A Good Franchisee? | Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Paul Pickett delve into the essential traits that define a successful franchisee. Drawing from decades of experience, Paul shares his expertise on the importance of aligning with a brand’s culture, mission, and values. They discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence, team-building, and a growth mindset in achieving long-term success. Tune in to discover how focusing on customer relationships and community engagement can ... | 38m 52s | ||||||
| 7/13/26 | REPLAY: How to Spot a Recession-Resistant Franchise | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the questions candidates should ask during due diligence, and how strong franch... | 30m 43s | ||||||
| 6/29/26 | The $112 Billion Industry Nobody's Talking About | Send us Fan Mail Most franchise opportunities promise stability — but few are as resilient and rewarding as the commercial cleaning sector. In this episode, Allison Dudas dives into the booming world of cleaning and maintenance, revealing how this essential industry is not only recession-resistant but also a hidden goldmine for entrepreneurs willing to manage people, build relationships, and implement proven systems. Learn why the janitorial sector is projected to hit $112 billion by 2026, an... | 35m 06s | ||||||
| 6/22/26 | What Are The Most Profitable Franchises of 2026? | Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we announce our Most Profitable Franchises of 2026. We name 50 franchise brands in this list whose franchisees report higher earnings than the average. No brand can pay to be on this list! They are on it because of their high franchisee satisfaction scores thanks to FBR's market research. This episode breaks down the characteristics of the most profitable brands of the year and what you should pay attention to when doing your franchise buying research.&... | 30m 41s | ||||||
| 6/15/26 | What Is It Like to Be A Woman In Franchising? | Send us Fan Mail Host: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBR Guest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window Cleaning This episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill Kesler, a franchisee from Fish Window Cleaning, as the guest. They discuss the increasing role of women in franchising, highlighting that women now own about a third of all franchises. Jill shares her journey from a career in sales and marketing to... | 41m 46s | ||||||
| 6/8/26 | What's It Like to Own a Retail Franchise | Send us Fan Mail Jason Sharp’s journey from corporate healthcare to owning a pool supply franchise in Alabama reveals the real secret to success: building a community-focused team and letting your leadership shine behind the scenes. Discover how Jason’s strategic approach and operational systems turned a stagnant business into a thriving enterprise, even amidst COVID chaos.In this episode, you’ll learn: How to identify and seize low-hanging fruit during a business acquisitionThe importance of... | 38m 06s | ||||||
| 6/1/26 | The Hidden Factor Behind Franchise Success: Culture | Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Michelle and Allison dive into the importance of franchise culture. They discuss how a strong culture can significantly impact franchisee satisfaction and business success. The episode highlights the top franchises known for their positive culture, emphasizing that culture is not just about corporate strategy but also about fostering supportive relationships among franchisees. They explore how culture influences franchisee experiences, retention, and ov... | 42m 10s | ||||||
| 5/25/26 | REPLAY: How to Fund Your Franchise | Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Michelle Rowan and Ali Kraus delve into the diverse world of franchise funding options. From traditional bank loans to innovative rollover strategies, they explore how aspiring franchisees can navigate financial challenges with confidence. Ali shares her expertise from Benetrends, highlighting the importance of understanding your financial landscape and the benefits of working with a funding partner. Whether you’re considering using retirement savi... | 31m 55s | ||||||
| 5/18/26 | 5 Marketing Questions to Ask Before Buying a Franchise | Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," Michelle Rowan and Katherine LeBlanc discuss essential marketing questions to consider when evaluating franchise opportunities. Katherine, with over 20 years of marketing experience, shares insights into the complexities of marketing within franchising. They explore the importance of understanding brand funds, the role of marketing in franchise success, and the need for transparency and collaboration between franchisors and franchise... | 51m 38s | ||||||
| 5/11/26 | Red Flags in Your Franchise Agreement: What Every Buyer Needs to Know | Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," the hosts delve into the often-overlooked aspects of franchise agreements that can significantly impact buyers. Joined by Megan Center, a seasoned franchise attorney, they explore the critical differences between the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement itself. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding territory rights, renewal terms, and potential red flags in agreements. Megan shares insig... | 1h 03m 48s | ||||||
| 5/4/26 | Senior Care Is Booming. What This Industry Looks Like From the Inside | Send us Fan Mail Most franchisees in senior care are driven by a deep sense of purpose, but Zubin Kapadia’s journey reveals what it truly takes to succeed in this fast-growing, emotionally rewarding industry. When he transitioned from law and international healthcare ventures to owning a Right at Home franchise, he discovered that passion, strategic support, and community presence are the secret ingredients to thriving in in-home senior care — a sector valued at over $156 billion annually in ... | 42m 41s | ||||||
| 4/27/26 | Your Franchisor Got Bought by Private Equity — Now What? | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, Franchise Business Review Guest: Susan Black-Beth, Auspicious Owl In this episode of "From A to Franchisee," hosts Michelle Rowan and Susan Black-Beth explore the impact of private equity on franchising. They discuss how private equity acquisitions can change priorities, timelines, and relationships within franchise systems. Susan, founder of Auspicious Owl Group, shares her extensive experience in the industry, emphasizing the importance of aligning pri... | 44m 55s | ||||||
| 4/20/26 | We Ask Franchisees If They're Happy. Here's How. | Send us Fan Mail Franchise Business Review is a market research firm dedicated to franchisee satisfaction. This means we work hard to figure out how happy franchisees are owning their brands. This episode gets at our process and explores: Why you need franchisee satisfaction data if you're researching franchises to invest in.Why FBR's data is unbiased and how we keep it that way. What our surveying process looks like. Enjoy this engaging conversation with Maria Harmon about how FBR ... | 34m 42s | ||||||
| 4/13/26 | How To Spot A Recession-Resistant Franchise | Send us Fan Mail Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands Summary Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the questions candidates should ask during due diligence, and how strong... | 30m 11s | ||||||
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Chart history for From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying
Peaked at #200 in SA, currently #200 in SA.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | — | #200 | #200 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.