• Aligning Employees to Their Strengths - With Monica Feid
    Sep 29 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, in the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, underscores the significance of

    matching employees with roles that complement their strengths to enhance

    productivity and avoid disengagement. He references studies from Gallup and the

    Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) that reveal a large number of

    employees feeling underutilized and the substantial economic impact of

    disengaged workers. Monica Feid, COO of Thunderly Marketing, is featured in this

    episode, where she presents a case study on repositioning a discontented employee

    to a role more compatible with her DISC profile, leading to increased performance

    and satisfaction. The discussion stresses the use of DISC profiles for recruitment and

    employee positioning to avert disengagement and underperformance, especially in

    the franchising sector. The dialogue highlights the criticality of correct role

    alignment and its advantages for both employees and companies.

    - With Monica Feid.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:27 Why is employee engagement critical?

    01:06 Key employee engagement statistics?

    03:39 Best solutions for engagement?

    05:28 Monica's employee misalignment story?

    10:57 What is the DISC profile?

    18:01 How DISC helps franchising?

    24:03 Final engagement advice?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

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    27 m
  • Bloomin' Blinds' Growth Journey - With Kristopher Stuart
    Sep 8 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes interviews Kristopher Stuart, Chief Information Officer of Blooming

    Blinds, on the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast. Stuart shares his accidental entry into

    franchising while seeking improved business opportunities. He traces the growth of

    Blooming Blinds from a family-owned retail business to a thriving franchise with 86

    franchisees across 158 territories. Stuart discusses the pros and cons of running a

    family business, the critical role of selecting the right franchisees, and the

    continuous learning process that has helped refine their business model. He

    emphasizes the need for franchisees to engage in self-reflection, describes their

    comprehensive training and support program, and underscores the significant

    impact of technology, including AI, in enhancing operations and efficiency. The

    discussion also covers company culture, the benefits of collaborating with Franchise

    Fastlane for accelerated growth, and the typical day-to-day activities of successful

    franchisees. The podcast offers valuable perspectives for those interested in

    franchising or contemplating a Blooming Blinds franchise.

    - With Kristopher Stuart.

    TIMESTAMP

    00:00 Intro

    00:18 How did you discover franchising?

    02:19 Managing family business dynamics?

    03:43 Best franchise growth strategies?

    13:35 Franchisee training best practices?

    21:18 Tech innovations helping franchising?

    26:46 Building strong franchise culture?

    35:34 Day in successful franchisee life?

    37:34 Final franchising advice

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

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    39 m
  • How Franchising Transformed My Career - With Mary Thompson
    Sep 1 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes interviews Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and chair of the International

    Franchise Association's Board of Directors, who shares her journey from the Marine

    Corps to franchising via a company called Cookies by Design. Thompson highlights

    the importance of franchising in developing her business skills and its

    transformative impact on her career. She discusses her career progression, including

    roles at Mr. Rooter and the Dwyer Group, and emphasizes the importance of value

    alignment in franchising. Thompson provides insights into the importance of

    networking, her experiences with private equity, and the operations at BNI. She also

    discusses the wider goals of franchising, its impact on local communities, and

    ongoing efforts to educate the public and lawmakers about the benefits of

    franchising. Thompson's commitment to service, both in business and through her

    role at the IFA, is also discussed.

    - With Mary (Kennedy) Thompson.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:52 How did you discover franchising?

    01:52 What is the Cookie Bouquet story?

    04:40 Why transition to Mr. Rooter?

    10:57 What is franchising's biggest value?

    19:30 How does BNI work?

    24:50 What is the BNI investment?

    26:42 What is BNI's core competency?

    30:44 What is "Givers Gain"?

    43:03 Biggest franchising challenge and opportunity?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcas

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    51 m
  • Creating Effective Marketing Strategies - With Jack Monson
    Aug 25 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, host of the Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, interviews Jack Monson, Chief

    Growth Officer at Thunder Lee Marketing and host of the Social Geek podcast. They

    delve into Monson's marketing and client acquisition roles, his franchising journey,

    and the significance of fostering enduring relationships in the franchise sector. The

    discussion encompasses effective marketing tactics, the use of social media

    platforms like LinkedIn, and the importance of content creation for franchise growth.

    Monson provides insights into the difficulties of generating and nurturing franchise

    leads, and the necessity of maintaining consistency in digital marketing initiatives.

    He later underscores the value of training franchise sales teams, acknowledging the

    contributions of the Titus Center. The episode concludes with conversations about

    the Social Geek podcast and the importance of tenacity in content creation.

    - With Jack Monson.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:22 What does a CGO do?

    01:07 Why relationships matter in franchising?

    03:03 How did you discover franchising?

    08:30 How has franchise marketing evolved?

    12:02 Attracting next-gen franchisees how?

    17:18 Best social media for franchising?

    22:35 Most inspiring franchise success story?

    26:14 Biggest franchise sales challenges?

    40:46 LinkedIn lead generation tips?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

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    48 m
  • Risks, Rewards, and Legal Advice - With Alaina B. Karsten
    Aug 18 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, engages in a detailed discussion with Alaina

    B. Karsten from McDonald Hopkins, a professional with significant experience in

    advising franchisors and franchisees and handling litigation. The conversation

    revolves around the intricacies and potential risks associated with franchising,

    underlining the necessity of carefully examining franchise agreements and fully

    comprehending the long-term commitments and responsibilities they entail. Alaina

    underscores the importance of franchisees performing due diligence, seeking legal

    counsel, and fully understanding their contracts, particularly in relation to

    termination, renewal, and the use of advertising funds. She provides insights into

    frequent legal issues such as curable and non-curable defaults, franchisor price

    control, and the rights of franchisees in the event of disputes. The discussion also

    covers the challenges and possible advantages of franchise investment, highlighting

    the benefits of economies of scale and the significance of comprehensive franchisor

    support and training.

    - With Alaina B. Karsten.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:22 Franchising realities vs expectations?

    03:07 Does franchising offer advantages?

    04:26 Biggest franchising risks/costs?

    07:12 Key franchise agreement clauses?

    12:14 Curable vs non-curable defaults?

    17:00 Franchisee due diligence checklist?

    21:04 Trademark requirements for franchisors?

    23:28 Resolving franchise disputes how?

    33:45 Advertising fund obligations fair?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise


    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

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    45 m
  • From News Reporter to Franchise Mogul - With John Brice
    Aug 11 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews former TV news reporter John

    Brice, who transitioned into a successful franchisee and is now preparing to become

    a franchisor. Brice's introduction to franchising came through a family friend who

    owned a McDonald's franchise. This sparked his interest and led him to owning eight

    McDonald's restaurants. He later became an area developer for Firehouse Subs and

    the largest U.S. franchisee of Pro Shred Security. Brice discusses the challenges and

    rewards of franchise ownership, including financial risks and the necessity of

    comprehensive training programs. He is currently preparing to become a franchisor

    with his wife's business, Ana's Killer Empanadas, with plans to expand the gourmet

    empanada chain. Brice stresses the importance of adhering to established systems

    and maintaining a hands-on approach in the business. He also shares his

    involvement with the Titus Center for Franchising, highlighting the value of shared

    knowledge and the promising prospects for students interested in the franchising

    industry.

    - With John Brice.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00: Intro

    00:17 How did John discover franchising?

    01:38 McDonald's franchise lessons learned?

    03:49 Managing multiple franchises how?

    05:54 Biggest franchise ownership challenges?

    08:05 Best advice for new franchisees?

    20:32 Most inspiring franchise success stories?

    25:19 Ideal franchisee traits?

    27:30 Why empanadas for franchising?

    30:28 Expansion plans for Killer Empanadas?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise


    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Smart Funding Strategies - With Shay Kleinschmidt
    Aug 4 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, host of Franchise Hot Seat, interviews Shay Kleinschmidt, Vice President

    of Funding at Fran Fund, a company based in Fort Worth, Texas, that provides

    funding solutions to franchisees nationwide. Kleinschmidt discusses the changing

    franchising landscape, stressing the importance of early and tailored funding

    strategies. She also highlights the role of AI in enhancing lending processes,

    including a lender match system that matches client profiles with appropriate

    lenders. The discussion encompasses various funding products such as SBA loans,

    the rollover 401k program (ROBS), and traditional non-SBA loans. Kleinschmidt

    outlines the process of obtaining an SBA loan, indicating that approval typically

    takes between 30 and 120 days depending on the type of business. She emphasizes

    the need for potential investors to understand the franchise disclosure document

    (FDD) and supports calls with existing franchisees. The episode highlights Fran

    Fund's role in helping clients navigate the complexities of securing franchise

    funding.

    - With Shay Kleinschmidt.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:59 How tech changed franchise lending?

    01:59 When to start funding talks?

    03:02 Most popular loan products?

    05:35 Best alternative lending options?

    12:33 Typical borrowing costs/fees?

    15:47 How economy impacts franchising?

    20:51 SBA franchise approval process?

    24:41 Hottest franchise categories now?

    30:35 Best advice for new franchisees?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/


    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

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    38 m
  • Empowering Women in Business - With Alesia Visconti
    Jul 28 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes interviews Alesia Visconti on Franchise Hot Seat, where she discusses

    her transition from corporate America to franchising, a move sparked by

    disillusionment. Visconti, owner of Fran Serve and author of 'The Pink Tsunami:

    Women's Rise in Franchising', highlights the lack of awareness about franchising

    opportunities, especially for women. She underscores the variety of roles within

    franchising, not limited to being a franchisee, but also including franchise

    consultants and suppliers. The conversation covers the changing franchising

    landscape, the significance of integrity and growth, and the growing international

    opportunities. Visconti expresses her support for the Titus Center for Franchising and

    her dedication to aiding young individuals in finding fulfilling franchising careers.

    The discussion provides valuable insights into how franchising can offer rewarding

    careers, particularly for women looking for alternatives to traditional corporate roles.

    - With Alesia Visconti.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    01:42 How did you discover franchising?

    02:50 Why leave corporate America?

    04:04 Becoming franchise consultant how?

    06:57 Franchising challenges vs opportunities?

    21:40 Women's role in franchising?

    25:58 Best franchising paths for women?

    28:09 What do franchise consultants do?

    33:43 Non-food franchise opportunities?

    39:21 International franchising strategies?

    LINKS:

    WEBSITE: http://franchisehotseats.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhayes/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjohnhayes

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Howtobuyafranchise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesjph/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnphayesfranchise

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DrJohnHayes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franchisehotseatpodcast

    Más Menos
    45 m