Grab our breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=FEaug1425 Popeyes has exploded in popularity thanks to its viral chicken sandwich, but does that mean it’s a good investment? In this episode, I break down the real costs, hidden fees, profit margins, and the biggest red flags inside the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). -------------------------------------- Considering Investing In A Franchise? 🔍 Request a Territory...
Aug 14, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Grab & understand 14 Franchise Buying Mistakes that could destroy your investment: https://www.franchiseempire.com/14fbm?utm_source=FEaug1025 Is The UPS Store a smart franchise investment in 2025? In this video, Tariq Johnson breaks down the startup costs, royalties, and average earnings for UPS Store owners, straight from the latest FDD. Find out what they don’t tell you and whether this iconic brand is a low-cost winner or a money trap. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchi...
Aug 10, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Get my FREE Franchising Masterclass: https://www.franchiseempire.com/masterclass?utm_source=FEaug0725 Jersey Mike’s Subs is ranked #2 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for a reason, but is it still worth the investment in 2025? In this video, Tariq Johnson breaks down the startup costs, average earnings, royalties, and major risks hiding in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Watch this before you buy. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? 🔍 Request a Territory Check | Che...
Aug 07, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Grab and understand 14 franchise buying mistakes that could ruin your investment: https://www.franchiseempire.com/14fbm?utm_source=FEaug0325 Is Wingstop a cash cow or just hype? In this video, I reveal the real costs and average earnings from Wingstop’s 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. With startup costs up to $1M and average sales over $2.1M, we’ll unpack what it takes to turn chicken wings into serious profit—or whether it’s a hustle best left to celebrities like Rick Ross. Stick around to ...
Aug 03, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Grab our breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=FEjul3125 Taco Bell dominates the Mexican fast-food market, but is it actually a smart investment? In this video, Tariq Johnson breaks down what it really costs to own a Taco Bell in 2025, the hidden restrictions, and what the FDD doesn’t tell you about making money with this brand. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? 🔍 Request a Territory Check | Check t...
Jul 31, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Ray Titus, founder of United Franchise Group, has helped build over 1,800 franchise locations worldwide. In this episode, we talk about what separates successful franchisees from the rest, why speed matters more than you think, and the sacrifices no one talks about when building a business. This is a masterclass in franchise growth, leadership, and execution. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchise Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Request a Territory C...
Jul 27, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Grab your free list of 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Wendy’s franchises generate over $2.1M in sales per year, but is the $3M startup cost worth it? In this breakdown, Tariq Johnson dives into Wendy’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document to reveal the truth about profits, royalty fees, and one former NBA player who got rich off of Frosty. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchise Opportunities in Your...
Jul 24, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Grab my FREE gift for you, filled with everything you need to know to own a money-making franchise: https://www.franchiseempire.com/mifge?utm_source=FEjul2025Buzz Franchising isn’t semi-absentee, and success takes more than money. In this episode, Tariq Johnson and franchise owner Guy Coffey unpack the real work behind successful franchise ownership. From emotional support and hiring to CRM migration and building a business with your spouse, this video reveals what most people never talk about. ...
Jul 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Grab my FREE gift for you, filled with everything you need to know to own a money-making franchise: https://www.franchiseempire.com/mifge?utm_source=FEjul1825 Is Arby’s worth the investment in 2025? In this video, I break down the real costs, earnings, and ROI of owning an Arby’s franchise. From the $2.4M startup range to its $1.3M average unit volume, we’ll use the FDD to reveal what most people miss — and why some Arby’s owners scale big while others don’t. Watch until the end to learn what th...
Jul 18, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Grab your free list of 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Hampton by Hilton is one of the most recognizable names in hospitality, but is this hotel franchise actually worth the $20M+ investment? In this video, I break down the startup costs, hidden fees, and what Hilton doesn’t tell you in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 R...
Jul 13, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Grab your free list of 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Ace Hardware’s "franchise" model is unlike anything else, with no royalties, co-op ownership, and massive growth. In this video, we break down the costs, revenue, and unique features of the Ace Hardware business model using their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Request a...
Jul 06, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Grab the free list of 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Most people don’t even know this role exists, but it’s how franchises like The Joint and Sparkle scale to 60+ locations. In this episode, I sit down with a regional developer to break down what really determines franchise success: leadership, launch execution, and location strategy. This is a must-watch for serious franchise buyers. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Di...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Grab the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: Learn about affordable franchises with high returns. Learn More: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Paul Russo built NYPD Pizza from scratch, then lost almost everything. In this raw, unfiltered episode, he shares how dyslexia, grit, and street smarts shaped his rise as a franchise founder, what went wrong, and how he's relaunching stronger than ever. If you're considering a food franchise or want to learn what it really takes to succeed ...
Jun 22, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 37
🤑 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: Learn about affordable franchises with high returns. Learn More: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Kumon dominates tutoring, but won’t show owners how much they earn. In this video, I break down Kumon’s royalty-heavy model, startup costs, and the missing financial data that raises serious questions. With nearly 1,700 centers open and a 70-year-old method still in use, is Kumon a smart investment—or just an expensive mystery? ------------------...
Jun 15, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 36
How awesome would it be to hit $1 million in sales your first year open as a franchisee? In this episode I sit down with Sam Perossa who is a franchisee with Smash My Trash. He talks about some of his secrets to success and how he got involved in franchising after a successful corporate career. Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Request a Territory Check | Check territory availability here: http://www.franchiseempire.com/checkterrit...
Jun 12, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 35
🤑 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: Learn about affordable franchises with high returns. Learn More: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost Most people focus on franchise sales, but what really matters is profit, time freedom, and exit potential. In this video, I break down 5 low-cost franchises with high returns and teach you how to evaluate a franchise using the "sales to investment ratio" and SDE (Seller’s Discretionary Earnings). This is the smart way to invest in 2025. ---------...
Jun 08, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Should you start your own business or buy a franchise? In this video, I break down the cold-hard truth behind both paths using real data, financial risk comparisons, and my PATH Framework to help you choose the business model that actually fits your goals. I’ve failed 9 businesses and built a multimillion-dollar franchise, so I’ve lived both. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Request a Territory Check | Check ter...
Jun 01, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 33
You’ve probably walked into a Subway or Taco Bell and thought, “Who owns this place?” Or maybe you’ve wondered how franchise owners actually make money and how much it really costs to open one. In this video, I break down how a franchise business actually works using Subway as the example. I’ll show you exactly what franchising is, how the relationship between franchisors and franchisees works, what the real startup costs look like (spoiler: it’s way more than just the franchise fee), and how fr...
May 25, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 33
What if the right franchise could pay you and your kids for decades to come? In this video, I’m breaking down the best franchise investments of 2025 based on real numbers, real margins, and real potential. If you’re looking to build wealth (not just another job), this is where you start. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Request a Territory Check | Check territory availability here: http://www.franchiseempire.com...
May 18, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Chick-fil-A is the most profitable fast-food franchise in America… so why do smart investors walk away from it? In this video, I’m breaking down the hidden truth about Chick-fil-A’s franchise model and why it might be a trap if you’re looking to build real wealth and ownership. You’ll learn how the numbers actually work, why getting accepted is harder than getting into Stanford, and why most operators are really just glorified employees. This isn’t about income. It’s about equity, control, and b...
May 11, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Is buying a franchise in 2025 a HUGE mistake? In this video, I’ll show you exactly why 35% of franchise owners regret their decision, and how to make sure you’re not one of them. The truth is, buying a franchise can either unlock freedom, wealth, and a new future or become the most expensive 9–5 you’ve ever had. This is what I wish I knew when I started and now, I’m sharing it with you so you can avoid the landmines and build a business that actually serves your life. ------------------ Consider...
May 04, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 30
What would you do if you were laid off just before the holidays… with a toddler at home… and your life savings on the line? In this episode, I sat down with Nina Hunter — a brand new franchise owner who went from being let go in corporate to launching THREE territories with a restoration franchise. We talk about how she overcame fear, what made her walk away from opening a $1.2M coffee shop, and how she ramped up her business faster than most people thought possible. Whether you're new to franch...
Apr 27, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 30
What makes someone leave a secure career, start a franchise, and take that leap just weeks before their second child is born? In this episode of the Zero to Profitable Franchise Podcast, I sit down with Patrick — a first-time franchisee and former executive at a major philanthropic organization. We talk about what it's really like starting a franchise from scratch, the systems that saved his sanity, how he funded the business, and why he picked Painter1 over a dozen other franchise brands. If yo...
Apr 20, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Farris is a client of ours at Franchise Empire. Recently he purchased a cleaning & restoration franchise after 20+ years in corporate. I got the chance to sit down with him and talk about his journey, what he learned, and advice he has for up and coming entrepreneurs. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode! 00:00 Taking the Leap into Business Ownership 02:46 From Banker to Franchisee 04:23 Why I Chose Voda Cleaning 06:44 Just Finished Training 09:07 Giving Back to the Community 12:16 Hiring ...
Apr 06, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Greg and Julie are clients of ours at Franchise Empire. Recently, they officially became business owners! So I wanted to sit down with them and talk about their journey of finding, vetting, and buying a franchise. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode! 00:00 - Leaving After 25 Years: Why It Was Time 01:38 - What Business Did We Start? 03:02 - Starting in the Offseason: Smart or Risky? 06:26 - Mistakes We Made Early On 08:48 - Why We Chose Power Washing & Home Services 11:26 - Our Career Bac...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Nancy and Troy are clients of ours at Franchise Empire. Nancy was a nurse for 35 years and finally quit her job and bought her first franchise. I got the chance to sit down with her and talk about their franchise purchase and journey throughout the process. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode! 00:00 From Nurse to Franchise Owner 02:12 Why They Chose Assisting Hands 08:45 The Power of the Robs Strategy 11:42 Building the Team & Hiring Smart 17:05 Marketing, Mindset & Momentum 24:46 Les...
Mar 24, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Karriem is a franchisee for Little Caesars and a coach here at Franchise Empire. After working together for a long time, we finally had the chance to meet in person and sit down to do a podcast. We talked about what it's like owning a Little Caesars, and why Kareem probably wouldn't buy a food franchise if he could do it all again. If you're looking to buy a franchise in 2025, I really recommend you watch this before choosing your franchise. Sit back, take some notes, and enjoy the show. 00:00 -...
Mar 23, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 28
A little over a year ago I asked Bedros Keuilian to be on my podcast and here we are. I’ve been a fan of Bedros for a long time, invested in his coaching, and have looked up to the empire he’s built. So it was an honor to sit down with him and chat about his journey as an entrepreneur. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or new to entrepreneurship, this episode has something for everyone. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discov...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Ryan Pineda is a former pro athlete who went from broke, flipping couches, to building a massive empire of multiple 7-figure businesses. I got the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about how he got started in entrepreneurship, his thoughts on the 2025 real estate market, his businesses, and his faith. This was an awesome episode so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Discover Available Franchises Opportunities in Your Area: 🔍 Req...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In this episode we cover: - A low cost franchise opportunity showing sales of $2.7 MILLION - A 7-figure resale opportunity in Florida - Why a former finance employee bought this surprising franchise - Can you actually make passive income with a franchise? And much, much more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the episode. ** All numbers shown in this video are pulled either directly from the FDD from the franchisor or the resale listing. ------------------ Considering Investing In A Franchise? Disco...
Mar 02, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 27
