In this episode, Zack chats with Adam Contos, Partner of Area 15 Ventures and former CEO of RE/MAX on theory of everything. Between his background, his business philosophies, his perspective on the real estate market, his investment thesis at Area 15 Ventures and what he has learned from his mentor, RE/MAX Co-Founder Dave Liniger, there was lots to discuss! Don’t miss this sneak preview of Springboard 2025’s electrifying keynote speaker.
Jun 03, 2025•57 min
In this MB episode, Zack checks in with franchising’s resident brainiacs, Edith Wiseman and Alicia Miller from FranData. We discuss how the perception of resales are changing, standardizing credit fund scoring to decrease risk for franchisees, how franchisors are using technology to become more “asset-light”, is the “low-investment” rush here to stay and much more!
Apr 24, 2025•49 min
In this episode, Zack chats with Kaleidoscope Growth Advisors’ Ali McElroy about all things operations. We discuss pitfalls in growing a brand early, her recommended first hire for a young franchisor, the industries she believes give highest likelihood of “sustainable growth” and her methodology to building enterprise value.
Apr 22, 2025•47 min
In this episode Zack Fishman and Ryan Hicks break down a list of their top thoughts and six topics here in the month of April: 1) The Top Learnings From UnConference: Game-Changing Insights on Value Creation & Growth. Featuring David Barr (Franchise Investor, Chairman of PMTD Restaurants, and former IFA Chairman) and Chris Dull (CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard). 2) Sneak Peak: YoungCon Agenda Is Here! A quick thumbnail on what the event entails. Register here: https://franchiseyoungconference...
Mar 28, 2025•57 min
Join Ryan Hicks and Zack Fishman as they host Jamie Adams, Chief Revenue Officer of Scorpion, and Ryan Combe, Managing Partner of Cornerstone Franchise Partners. In this episode we dive into the latest chatter from the IFA convention and share behind‑the‑scenes insights on franchising trends, technology decisions, and the power of networking. From debating whether to build or buy tech to discussing economic forecasts and mentorship initiatives, this episode delivers a dynamic conversation pepper...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr
In this Modrn Business episode, Zack chats with one of franchising’s foremost experts on early-stage franchisors, Brian Luciani of SMB Franchise Advisors & Stadium Ventures. We talk about venture capital’s increased prominence with franchisors, start-up category trends from 2024, what we’ll be seeing in 2025 and how the new Trump administration will dictate the types of brands we see start franchising in the years to come.
Feb 05, 2025•42 min
In this MB conversation, Ryan hosts the co-founders of Sales Chatz, a franchise development advertising technology that has disrupted the way franchisors use Meta advertising to attract franchise candidates.
Feb 02, 2025•44 min
In this episode, Zack sits down with CEO & Founder of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, to talk all things franchise sales. We get into his humble beginnings, what industries within franchising he has historically gravitated to, his opinions on how to build enterprise value through franchise sales, his secrets to sourcing MUMBOs leads (hint, it’s not easy to replicate) and his outlook on how franchise sales will change in this decade.
Jan 31, 2025•50 min
In this episode, Ryan Hicks and Zack Fishman bring on guests Jamie Adams, (Chief Revenue Officer of Scorpion) and Ryan Combe (Managing Partner of Cornerstone Franchise Partners) to reflect on key winners and trends in the franchise landscape in 2024, and make predictions for 2025. We also explore significant leadership changes, lessons learned in 2024, and contrarian beliefs for the future of franchising, emphasizing the importance of franchisee profitability and the potential for franchising to...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 31 min
In MB’s first episode of 2025, Zack is joined by Serviceminder’s new CEO, Berkley Simmons and their Founder & CTO, John Keene, to talk all things PE within home service. We discuss how technology plays a role in reaching your next stage of growth, predictions for how franchise technology will play a role in this second phase of PE investment, the right time to roll out a robust technology such as Serviceminder and the importance of recognizing franchising’s uniqueness vs. other business mode...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min
In this episode, Zack explores the new industry of smart home automation with the franchisor to market, Daisy CEO & Founder, Hagan Kappler. We discuss her decision to go the venture capital route, her “grow by acquisition” strategy, her plans for starting franchise development and the future of the smart home automation industry.
Dec 17, 2024•46 min
In the Modrn Business episode Ran chats with Gary Liskovich, Founder & CEO of Harmonyze.
Dec 15, 2024•45 min
In this episode, Zack chats with a local IL franchisor, Joe Tota, CEO & Founder of Tapville, about one of his favorite categories within franchising, bars. We talk through their differentiators, their model innovations, their ideal customer profile, the types of franchisees they attract, where they see the bar industry within franchising going and how data helps all of their franchisees win.
Dec 05, 2024•32 min
In this episode, Zack revisits one of his favorite categories within franchising, pet services, to talk with Scenthound Co-Founders Tim & Jessica Vogel. We get an update on the brand’s progress since my last conversation with Tim, get into the inner-workings of the brand positioning with Jessica, learn how the brand’s ideal candidate profile has evolved with their recent professionalization and about emerging services they believe will be a growth catalyst in the future.
Nov 25, 2024•43 min
After 1 year, a lot has changed for Protein Bar & Kitchen. Several new franchisees in the pipeline, non-traditional locations sprouting up across the country and suburban locations humming. What is inside this first-time franchisor rapid rise? Tune into this episode to hear from the sources, CEO Jeff Drake and VP of Franchise Development Jimmy McFeeters, on exactly how!
Nov 17, 2024•50 min
In this episode, Zack chats with the founder of the automotive franchise space’s most exciting brand, Tint World. We delve deep into his meteoric rise, how his heritage of a multi-unit franchisee has helped his growth with fellow MUMBOs, how technology has played a role, why automotive after-market is the surest bet in the industry today and exciting news for 2025.
Oct 22, 2024•39 min
Modrn Business welcomes franchise technologist and CEO of Serviceminder, John Keene, onto the show discuss all facets of the franchise technology world. Between PE in franchising, AI, point solutions vs. all-in-one and everything in between, this episode covers all of the major topics franchise brands grapple with when it comes to tech!
Sep 25, 2024•55 min
In this Supplier Wire Series episode of Modrn Business Podcast, Ryan Hicks chats with Kyle McEuen, SVP of ProfitKeeper. ProfitKeeper is the ultimate franchise analytics platform that empowers every franchisor and franchisee to achieve more. Ryan & Kyle discuss how ProfitKeeper turns financial and operational franchise data into actionable insights, and why ProfitKeeper is trusted by some of the largest franchise brands. Connect with today's guest: franchisesuppliernetwork.com/featured-s…sale...
Sep 10, 2024•46 min
The Incredible Story of Stephen Shields: The multi-unit Express Employment Professionals Franchisee put everything on the line at 26 years old. He moved to Joplin MO (where he knew nobody) and built the American Dream. Listen to this episode to hear his playbook. Share it with someone you know! This story needs to be told. Episode Summary: In this special edition of Modrn Business Podcast, Ryan Hicks sits down in person with Stephen Shields, a multi-unit franchisee and area representative for Ex...
Sep 07, 2024•51 min
In this episode, Zack hops on with Bun Mee’s CEO & Founder, Denise Tran. We discuss her founding story, how she went about educating consumers on Vietnamese cuisine, where she believes her best opportunities for growth are, where she sees the brand in 3-5 years and how she’s creating franchising’s first Vietnamese food powerhouse.
Aug 19, 2024•39 min
In this episode, Zack dives into all things “eatertainment” with one of franchising’s foremost investigate journalists, Laura Michaels, Editor-In-Chief of Franchise Times. We discuss the industry’s viability, which modulars will emerge, the international influences of the category, the types of franchisees these brands should target and the pitfalls we’ve already seen.
Aug 14, 2024•43 min
In this episode, Zack chats with the CEO & Founder of Best In Class, Hao Lam, to learn the inside scoop on his founding story, how they use AI in their business to educate children, their ideal franchisee profile and how they measure up to their competitors.
Aug 07, 2024•47 min
In this episode, Zack catches up Franchise Update Media’s EVP & Chief Content Officer, Diane Phibbs. We dive deep into all things franchise marketing and franchise development; covering trends that have evolved the space for better (and for worse). Additionally, we get into how to take the data the Annual Franchise Marketing Report & Annual Franchise Development Report and make it actionable, how technology has helped in implementing these changes and how managing up has allowed brands t...
Aug 01, 2024•48 min
In this MB episode, Zack dives into a vast array of topics with the Queen of Fast Casual (also the Editor of Fast Casual Magazine), Cherryh Cansler. We discuss technology within F&B, trends with sweets/treats, the rise (and fall) of different food trends and all about the events Fast Casual puts on each year.
Jul 24, 2024•46 min
In this episode, Zack discusses the role Bach To Rock, America's 2nd largest music education brand for children, plays in the massive influx of capital going into children's services today. We get into Bach To Rock's typical franchisee, why the market is so hot currently, the role children's enrichment plays in today's society and their plans for potentially starting to expand internationally.
Jul 22, 2024•39 min
In this episode, Zack dives into the world of private equity with one of franchising’s biggest experts, Alicia Miller of Emergent Growth Advisors. We discuss her most recent book, Private Equity In Franchising, along with many of the concepts within that she explores. If you’re looking to learn about the inner-workings of how this side of franchising works, this is the perfect episode to find out!
Jul 16, 2024•52 min
In this Modrn Business episode Ryan speaks with the Chair of the Supplier Advisory Forum, Thomas Portesy and the VP of Development, Paul Rocchio on all things IFA.
Jul 15, 2024•50 min
Children’s education is an inflection point. America’s children are falling behind in reading, math and science like never before! In this episode, Zack chats with CEO & Founder of Brooklyn Robot Foundry, Jenny Young, about the role they’re playing in trying to combat this issue. By teaching kids to fail gracefully, work with their hands and think critically; Brooklyn Robot Foundry is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about brands in franchising's children’s education sector.
Jul 08, 2024•39 min
In this Modrn Business episode, Ryan chats with the CEO of Evive Brands, Ryan Parsons. Evive is a Riverside Platform company consisting of: Assisted Living Locators, Executive Home Care, Graysons, and The Brothers That Just Do Gutters. Formerly, Ryan Co FoundedThe Brothers That Just Do Gutters and grew it to over 100 locations before being acquired by Riverside.
Jul 05, 2024•52 min
In this episode of Modrn Business, Zack chats with Co-Founder of K9 Resorts, Jason Parker, on all things pet services. We get into their differentiators vs others in the pet hospitality space, their recent $10M investment for a current franchisee, why the pet services industry has PE so interested and why pet services is one of franchising’s best bets.
Jun 13, 2024•37 min
