In this insightful episode of Franchise Today, Tony Zaccario, President & CEO of Stretch Zone, shares his extraordinary rise from 22-year-old General Manager to the leader of a 400-location wellness brand. Tony opens up about his unplanned entrance into franchising, the early lessons from licensing missteps, and the critical pivot to training and supporting franchisees for sustainable growth and success.

Tony emphasizes the power of transparency, mentorship, and sound unit-level economics in building a scalable and resilient franchise system. He recounts navigating the pandemic with steady communication and shares how Stretch Zone’s partnership with Princeton Equity Group and industry leaders like Drew Brees has positioned the brand for global growth.

From exploring B2B revenue streams and national accounts to addressing joint employment concerns and franchise education, Tony provides a masterclass in visionary yet practical franchise leadership.

Barb Moran planned to be an artist, but life had other ideas. She faced other challenges including being fired from her family’s business by her father and suffering a traumatic brain injury, but she turned these setbacks into stepping stones.

Today, Barb is the CEO of the Moran Family of Brands, parent company to six automotive-related franchise brands: Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, AltaMere, Multistate Transmissions, and Dr. Nick's Transmissions. And... oh, by the way, this is the very company that she wasfired from, back in the day. Today, Barb and the Moran Family of Brands are award-winning, well-respected members of the (IFA) International Franchise Association and the broader franchise community.

Some takeaways from the interview:

• Embrace Change: When life forces you off your current path, look at it as a chance to pivot instead of it being an obstacle. Embracing change is often the key to unlockinghidden opportunities.

• Perseverance Pays Off: Use setbacks to fuel your determination and push through. Especially in business. Persistence will set you apart.

• The Power of Self-Belief: The journey from self-doubt to self-belief can be hard, but it’s also rewarding. By trusting in your ability, you’ll achieve the confidence you need to lead and thrive.