What happens when a franchise system stalls — and how do you get it moving again? In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman speaks with Mike Mushinski, President of Garage Experts. Mike joined the brand in 2024 to rebuild operations and restore momentum to a growing garage flooring and storage franchise.

Mike shares why most franchise problems originate in recruitment rather than operations, how setting clear expectations solves many system challenges, and why franchising is fundamentally a relationship-driven business.

The conversation also explores the growth potential in garage organization, the advantages of a vertically integrated supply chain, and how home services brands are adapting to changing economic conditions.

How do you build not one — but multiple — successful fitness franchise brands? In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman speaks with Stephen P. Smith, Founder and CEO of Planet Beach and HOTWORX.

Stephen shares how his journey began in independent gym ownership and evolved into launching Planet Beach in 1996, and scaling to 500 locations by year six. He explains how a pivotal conversation in Jamaica in 2014 led to the creation of HOTWORX — an infrared fitness concept combining heat, exercise, and technology in what he calls “3D training.”

The conversation explores franchisee profitability, disciplined marketing, a single-unit operator focus, and why 90% of HOTWORX franchisees were customers first.

This episode is all about sustainable growth, sensible franchising, coaching, and building brands through execution — not vanity metrics.

What does it take to lead a category-defining franchise in a cyclical industry? In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman sits down with Charles Furlough, President & CEO of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors. Charles shares how the brand continues to grow by focusing on franchisee performance, operational excellence, and a differentiated customer experience.

The conversation explores scaling in the home services sector, navigating real estate market cycles, and why strong unit economics and franchisee support are the cornerstones of long-term system success.