Franchise Voice: Recent Episodes
Bill Meierling
Franchise Voice: The International Franchise Association Podcast delivers top trends and news from the world of franchising to franchise leaders and opportunity seekers. Hear about the success stories and proven business strategies that illustrate why franchising represents one of the most dynamic and widely used growth strategies in the modern era.
On this special edition of Franchise Voice, we'll speak with three franchising and government relations professionals about IFA members can make a real impact on critical issues and policy makers in Washington, DC this September at the IFA Advocacy Summit. Please join IFA's CEO Matthew Haller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller/); Michael Layman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellayman/), IFA SVP of Government Relations and Public Affairs; and Sarah Faye Pierce (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfayepierce27/), Head of Government Relations at Paychex. Join us September 11 - 13 in DC! Register today at https://www.franchise.org/events/2023-ifa-advocacy-summit Thanks to the team at Benetrends Financial (https://www.benetrends.com) for your ongoing support of Franchising! Special Guest: Matt Haller.
Richie Huffman, CEO of Celebree School, discusses his strategies for growing his franchise system in specific markets. Richie shares how to get involved in your new communities, the key community members whom you should engage early, and why a hub and spoke model can accelerate your franchisees' success. If you're developing a franchise brand in new markets, you won't want to miss this helpful advice! Special Guest: Richie Huffman.
On this Veteran’s Day edition, Steve White tells his story from serving the US Army to transitioning to the civilian business world, and then to his current role as President of PuroClean. Steve is also a recent past chair of IFA’s VetFran committee and shares the vision of this group as well as his thoughts on leadership, having a sense of mission, and the importance of Veteran’s Day. Eric Johnson, Manager of VetFran is today’s moderator. Special Guests: Eric Johnson and Steve White.
Today’s guests on IFA’s Franchise Voice: Allison Hill, Head of Diversity and Social Responsibility, ROARK Capital Group Jenn Garner, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Papa John’s Moderator: Rikki Amos, Executive Director of The IFA Foundation The panel discusses Roark’s history with philanthropy, the origin of Franchising Gives Back, and Papa John’s emphasis on community involvement. Special Guests: Allison Hill, Jennifer Garner, and Rikki Amos.
Rikki Amos, Executive Director of The IFA Foundation speaks with Ericka Garza, President of Au Bon Pain, and Marlen Cortez Morris of Ogletree Deakins, about the launch of The Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council. The goal is to reach the Hispanic and Latino communities about challenges and opportunities in Franchising. Special Guest: Rikki Amos.
It’s not often that we get a Congressional Candidate that understands the ins and outs of franchising. Chuck Edwards joins Franchise Voice to share the nuances in policy that impact both the franchise business model and small business ownership at large and how having a background in franchising informs public service.
The major disruptions in the workplace are revolving around HR and workforce development. Sam Caucci, CEO and Founder of 1Huddle, shares ideas with podcast host Jack Monson on: How can franchise systems create a more engaging environment and culture? What are successful brands doing to combat changing expectations and needs? And how can franchisees and other small business owners most effectively train and retain great teams?
August is National Black Business Month and we’ve invited leaders from The Diversity Institute and The Black Franchise Leadership Council Chair to discuss how we can advance the goals of improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in franchising. Rikki Amos, Executive Director of The IFA Foundation leads a conversation with Earsa Jackson, Richard Snow, and David Smith. Special Guest: Rikki Amos.
Today’s guest on Franchise Voice is Franchise Payments Network CEO Tom Epstein, discussing trends in payment processing in the current inflationary environment. Tom shares new research about what franchise systems are thinking regarding passing processing fees and other fees onto the consumer as well as cryptocurrency, buy-now-pay-later, and other structures that are disrupting traditional payment processing.
“Franchising is for everybody.” Mark Jameson of Propelled Brands and Paul Pickett of Wild Birds Unlimited share the mission of IFA’s Pride Council, how franchise systems can be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community, and their own personal stories of rising to leadership positions in franchising while being authentic. And moderator Rikki Amos gives an overview of The IFA Foundation and The Diversity Institute. Special Guest: Rikki Amos.
Live from IFE 2022 in New York! IFA’s CEO Matt Haller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller/) sits down with podcast host Jack Monson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmonson/) to discuss challenges he’s hearing from small business owners and an update on IFA’s Open for Opportunity program. Plus, we’ll chat about next week’s Franchise Customer Experience Conference in Atlanta. Next, Charlie Chase (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliechase/), CEO of FirstService Brands shares his thoughts on the empowering nature of the franchise business model as well as his objectives as the new Chair of the IFA. Special Guest: Matt Haller.
Access to capital is one of the biggest challenges to growing diverse and representative franchise ownership. In fact, it is one of the most common issues or barriers to entry raised among potential franchisees from communities of color. But accessing capital doesn't have to be that hard if you know where to look. Join IFA Foundation Executive Director Rikki Amos, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Opportunity Finance Network Dafina Williams, and Principal of Liquid Capital of Greater Philadelphia Jack Wilson for a conversation on Community Development Financial Institutions and what you need to know to become a local business owner. Want more? Listen to this May 2022 webinar for a deep dive on Community Development Financial Institutions and how to access capital for your entrepreneurial dream. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuocUBbCWvY&feature=youtu.be) Special Guests: Dafina Williams, Jack Wilson, and Rikki Amos.
Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants and the Chair of the IFA Women's Franchise Committee. She joins Franchise Voice hosts Bill Meierling and Jack Monson to discuss the success of the franchise model during and post-pandemic as well trends she's spotting for the restaurant industry for the rest of this year and next. Special Guest: Robin Gagnon.
The California FAST Recovery Act is a continued attempt to end the franchise model as we know it and harm thousands of local restaurant business owners in California and the jobs they support. The legislation will establish an unaccountable, unelected council of political appointees to oversee workplace policy, independent of the legislature and outside of existing labor law. In addition, by statue, it will eliminate the franchise model in California, turning hardworking local franchise business owners into middle managers, decimating equity they have spent their livelihoods building. Recent amendments purport to allow for legislative oversight but are instead window dressing and do not eliminate the serious legal and policy issues that doomed AB 257 last session. Special Guests: Greg Flynn, Jeff Hanscom, and Roy Gilad.
Today's Franchise Voice features Constance Hill-Johnson, owner of Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services of Cleveland with your hosts Bill Meierling and Jack Monson. Today, Hill-Johnson was announced as the Chairman of the Board for the Cleveland Foundation, the world’s very first community foundation that today is also one of the largest with assets exceeding $2.5 billion and annual grant making of more than $100 million. Learn how Connie grew her business through community involvement and about the Cleveland Foundation’s intentional approach to serving diverse communities. Special Guest: Connie Hill-Johnson.
In this episode, we are discussing the impact of the war in Ukraine on franchised businesses and the decision of many to cease operations in Russia, as highly reported in the media. We will dive in to how all of this works, answer frequent questions, and address common misperceptions about the franchise business model. We have two international franchise experts who will help set the record straight about how franchising works and what this means for businesses with units in these areas. William Edwards, CEO & Global Advisor to Senior Executives, Edwards Global Services, Inc. Larry Weinberg, Partner, Cassels Jack Monson, Host Bill Meierling, Host
On today’s podcast, Bill Meierling and Jack Monson sit down with IFA’s Jennifer Brandeen and Sandie Curtis. Then, we have a conversation with Wanda Williams, Head of Global Franchising at Yum! Brands. For more information on The Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, please visit https://business.louisville.edu/about/learning-at-cob/yumcgfe/
The International Franchise Association welcomes you to Franchise Voice Episode 1! Join hosts Bill Meierling and Jack Monson for a conversation with IFA CEO Matt Haller. Matt shares his vision on how this podcast will integrate with other communications channels for the franchise community. We'll also preview the upcoming IFA Annual Convention and other events that will help small business owners grow in 2022! Special Guest: Matt Haller.