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Modrn Business

Modrn Business Podcastwww.linkedin.com
Co-hosted by the dynamic duo Ryan Hicks & Zack Fishman, Modrn Business is an award-winning, interview-style podcast that spotlights franchising's brightest executives. Follow along each week as we uncover franchising's top technology trends, the hottest franchise industries to invest in, ways to improve your own franchise business and how to potentially become a franchisee.
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Episodes

Tobi Phillips, CEO/Founder of Village East Gifted

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack sits down with CEO/Founder of Village East Gifted, Tobi Phillips. In this episode, we discuss how Village East Gifted differentiates themselves in the market, why Tobi decided to franchise the brand, some benefits to being a franchisee and some awesome student stories as well.

Jan 16, 202326 min

Supplier Wire 003 - Two Things High Performing Franchisees Do To Drive Results

In the 3rd episode of the Franchise Supplier Wire series, Ryan discusses "Two Things High Performing Franchisees Do To Drive Results" with multi unit franchisee and owner of Upfront, Matt Robinson. Upfront helps high-growth franchise organizations optimize unit-level performance and profitability using Matt's dialed in performance optimization coaching that he developed and deployed with massive success as one of the largest franchisees in the Massage Envy and other systems. Results Talk: Upfron...

Jan 12, 202344 min

A Conversation With CJ Adams, Multi-Unit Franchisee

In this episode, Ryan has a discussion with CJ Adams, a multi unit franchisee of Great American Cookies. We discuss his journey, how he did his research to find and buy his territories, and all things running his locations and future plans.

Jan 12, 202333 min

Supplier Wire 002: Tips On Identifying And Managing Your Franchise Tech Stack

In this episode we do a deep dive with the Orchatect team discussing all things technology stack consolidation for franchise organizations. Reach out to them here: https://franchisesuppliernetwork.com/featured-supplier/orchatect/ If you're a franchisor: Franchise Supplier Network can help you connect with best fit suppliers. Fill out our 1 minute form to get started: www.franchisesuppliernetwork.com If you're interested in becoming a franchisee, be sure to check out the brands we host on MB podc...

Jan 10, 202341 min

Supplier Wire 001: Driving Results With A Purpose Driven Marketing Company

On the first episode of the Franchise Supplier Wire Podcast series here on Modrn Business, Joe Soltis and Issac Kebe from Choice Local discuss driving sales and marketing results for franchisees. Some of the topics we discuss: - Building a turnkey marketing stack - Dynamically localizing content to be truly dominate - The one cutting edge strategy that every marketing leader needs - Using AI and Automation to enhance recruitment marketing - What to do with marketing in a recession? - Plus so muc...

Dec 31, 202248 min

Micha Magid, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Mighty Quinn's BBQ

Zack goes back to his NYC days with this interview with Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Mighty Quinn's BBQ, a brand started in Smorgasborg NYC. In this episode, we discuss their path towards becoming the go-to fast casual BBQ brand, their emergence out of the Tri-State area, proficiency in delivery/technology and their big plans for 2023.

Oct 28, 202225 min

MB Special Episode: Building An Emotional Connection Through Story-Telling (Live at Fishman PR HQ)

In this special Modrn Business event, Ryan travels to Chicago to the Fishman PR offices (with a live podcast studio audience) for discussion on how to build an emotional connection with your customers and potential franchisees through story-telling. With the help of panelists Shane Evans (Massage Heights), Steve Greenbaum (PostNet) and Jeff Wall (Handyman Connection); Ryan asks questions on how to utilize your founding story, your all-star franchisee story and your “journey to franchising” story...

Oct 14, 202251 min

Accelerating Growth Through 3rd Party Capital Investment with Princeton Equity Group & Fisher Zucker

In this episode of Modrn Business Podcast, Ryan Hicks hosts Jim Waskovich, Managing Partner of Princeton Equity Group and Lane Fisher, Partner at Fisher Zucker Franchise Law Firm. We discussed feedback and top highlights from the 10th annual Springboard event for emerging franchisors, and put a specific focus on talking through the key highlights from the day 1 lunch panel session on the topic of "Accelerating Growth Through 3rd Party Capital Investment". Topics Discussed: - Springboard Event - ...

Oct 13, 202253 min

EK Navan, CVO of Regymen Fitness & The Covery

Zack "covers" the new Wellness 2.0 industry with The Covery CEO EK Navan in this episode! We discuss why this industry is one to watch in franchising, how The Covery differs from others breaking into this space, services they plan to add in 2023 and what a buildout/staff would look like at a typical location.

Oct 06, 202232 min

Richie Huffman, CEO of Celebree School

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack catches up with Richie Huffman, CEO of Celebree School. We discuss the brands' emergence into the children's education space, their new deal at Amazon's HQ2, why Richie decided to franchise the brand and how he got into the pre-school business in the first place.

Sep 26, 202229 min

Michael Haith, CEO of Teriyaki Madness

In this episode, Zack chats with Franchise Guru and CEO of Teriyaki Madness, Michael Haith. We discuss how they differentiate in the ethnic fast casual category, how technology plays a role in their evolution, his advice for emerging franchisors and his playbook for attracting attention for institutional investors.

Aug 16, 202227 min

Luke Schulte, Executive Director of Franchise Development of Handyman Connection

Zack sits down with friend and Executive Director of Franchise Development for Handyman Connection, Luke Schulte, in this episode of Modrn Business. Luke takes the listeners through current franchise development trends, why home service brands are the perfect "recession-proof industry", how Handyman Connection positions themselves within the market and how they use technology to gain an edge.

Aug 11, 202228 min

Mike Andreacchi & Crissy Russo of Junk King

Zack dives back into the home services to talk with CEO Mike Andreacchi and SVP of Marketing Crissy Russo to discuss their proprietary Junkware system, how they differentiate from other junk removal competitors, how they use data to remain on the cutting edge and their plans for the rest of 2022.

Aug 04, 202234 min

Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill

CEO of Eggs Up Grill, Ricky Richardson, joins Zack on this new episode of Modrn Business to talk about their spin on the better-breakfast category, the brand's investment in technology, how they have handled economic pressures on a unit-level and why menu innovation is key to Eggs Up Grill's success from a consumer and franchise development perspective.

Aug 01, 202229 min

Justin Bartek & Mike LaRue of Jinya Ramen Bar

Justin Bartek (Director of Marketing) and Mike LaRue (VP of Franchise Sales) from Jinya Ramen Bar join the show to discuss how they're catering to an Americanized ramen palette, how they're utilizing data to target their ideal customer and about their express concept, Bushi by Jinya.

Jul 28, 202232 min

Scott Snyder & William Brand, CEO & COO of Bad Ass Coffee

Zack chats with CEO Scott Snyder and COO/CFO Will Brand to talk about their turnaround of 32-year old legacy brand Bad Ass Coffee. From technology overhauls to a focus on operational efficiency, this brand has seen some significant changes that have contributed to its resurgence as a brand to be reckoned with in the coffee space within franchising.

Jul 25, 202244 min

Chris Birkinshaw, CEO of Aloha Poke

Zack catches up with fellow Chicago native and CEO of Aloha Poke, Chris Birkinshaw, about their concept emerging out of a crowded poke category, their innovative food safety technology that sets them apart, their exciting multi-unit growth plans and how they approach the employment challenges currently being faced in the F&B industry.

Jul 18, 202239 min

Chris Wyland, CDO & Partner of Roll Em' Up Taquitos

Zack gets a chance to learn all about one of the hottest new brands in the restaurant franchising space, Roll Em' Up Taquitos. Through his chat with CDO & Partner Chris Wyland, MB finds out how REU managed to get 300+ units in development in 15 months, their amazing tech stack, their unique branding and their plans for additional brands under their umbrella, Bomb AF Brands.

Jul 14, 202229 min

Ben Crosbie, CEO & Candace Byrnes, CDO of The DripBar

We welcome back Ben Crosbie, CEO and bring along Candace Byrnes, CDO from The DripBar to discuss their rapid ascent in the past 2 years, how they educate their consumer on IV infusion, why Candace decided to become both a franchisor/franchisee of the brand and their goals for the rest of 2022.

Jul 07, 202230 min

Gary Findley, CEO & Founder of Stellar Service Brands

On this episode of the Modrn Business podcast, we chat with CEO of Stellar Service Brands, Gary Findley. We discuss his new book “The Red Neck CEO”, how his upbringing contributed to his success, the importance of street-smarts, the relationships he built with his employees while he was at Curves and his latest venture Stellar Service brands. Link to Gary's first episode: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/DzP5JV1TEgckBbTVA Special thanks to Monica and BizCom Associates for setting up this reunion ep...

Jun 20, 202240 min

Nicole DiPietro, EVP of Operations for Jeremiah's Italian Ice

In this new episode, Zack learns all about the Italian Ice aficionados of the Southeast, Jeremiah's Italian Ice. EVP of Operations Nicole DiPietro discusses their path towards 100 units, how culture plays a role in differentiation/recruitment, plans for non-traditional growth and the awesome founding story.

Jun 15, 202237 min

Dave Claflin, Founder & CEO of Fastest Labs

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack chats with the CEO & Founder of Fastest Labs, Dave Claflin. We discuss how technology has helped them gain an edge over other franchisors in their category, why Amazon DSP operators are the perfect franchisees for them, the future of the drug testing industry and other major plans for 2022.

Apr 29, 202231 min

Greg Snyder, Founder & CEO of Southern Steer

In this Modrn Business episode, we chat with Founder & CEO of Southern Steer, Greg Snyder. I ask about how Southern Steer is disrupting the butchery space, why he decided to franchise the brand, how they're utilizing technology to outpace mom & pops and how they are using community-driven efforts to differentiate from big-box grocers.

Apr 06, 202225 min

Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack hops on with the CEO of Zoom Room, Mark Van Wye. They discuss Zoom Room's unique place in the pet services market, the founding story of the brand, how they educate consumers about their niche, the secret behind their exponential growth and exciting new technology being rolled out in 2022.

Mar 28, 202228 min

Matt Mongoven, Co-Founder & CEO of Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack sits down with the Co-Founder & CEO of Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza, Matt Mongoven. We discuss how he has evolved his brand since they started franchising in 2016, how they use technology to gain an edge over their pizza compatriots, how he has used Springboard to level up his business and major plans for 2022.

Mar 24, 202235 min

Mike Abramson, Chief Strategy Officer of LIT Method

In this episode of Modrn Business, Zack sits down with LIT Method's Chief Strategy Officer, Mike Abramson. We discuss their emergence into franchising, about their celebrity investors, their proprietary machine and about their growth plans for 2022.

Mar 10, 202230 min

Vanessa Yakobson, CEO & Partner of Blo Blow Dry Bar

In this Modrn Business episode, Zack hops on with Vanessa Yakobson, CEO & Partner of Blo Blow Dry Bar. We talk about their new membership model, the brand refresh within their locations, technology that their franchisees can use to gain an edge and other major goals for 2022.

Jan 27, 202231 min
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