Meet the Franchise

Meet the Franchise, the essential podcast for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone exploring franchise ownership.Hosted by Nick Powills of 1851 Franchise, each episode takes you behind the brand in direct-to-CEO conversations. We bring you the latest franchise news, introduce you to compelling business concepts, and provide an exclusive look at investment opportunities straight from the leaders themselves.Get equipped for your journey! Discover how to buy or grow a franchise with Growth Club!

Meet the Franchise is a business podcast hosted by 1851 Franchise, with 82 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

1851 Franchise hosts Meet the Franchise, a business show with 82 episodes published.

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  Meet the Franchise

  How Rob Emery Built DOGPerfect: From Wireless Retail Exits to a High-Margin Pet Franchise

  Aug 10, 202641 min

  Nick Powills sits down with Rob Emery, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of DOGPerfect , to discuss how his nearly 40 years of hands-on entrepreneurial success led him to create a standout pet brand that successfully brings together nutrition, grooming, and everyday essentials. Founded in 2019 by Rob and Linda Emery, DOGPerfect grew to 6 thriving units across affluent, high-growth Sarasota and Manatee County markets. As of 2025, they have begun franchising and are now looking to expand beyond their Florida footprint by targeting high-density, lifestyle-driven neighborhoods across the country. Rob began his entrepreneurial career in 1987, founding Cellular and More (a top-performing Verizon wireless retail chain) and co-founding ProtectCELL, which he scaled to over $90 million in annual revenue before a successful acquisition in 2014.

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  Meet the Franchise

  BELFOR Franchise Group: Scaling Home Services & Trades Franchises for Growth

  Aug 10, 202634 min

  Nick Powills sits down with Matt O'Rourke , Executive Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group , to discuss how he scaled his own enterprise to seven locations before its acquisition by BELFOR. BELFOR Franchise Group corners the market on industrial services, property restoration, cleaning, and home/facility maintenance, with a robust footprint spanning a portfolio of industry-leading brands including 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Chem-Dry, DUCTZ, Helpful Heroes, HOODZ, N-Hance, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, The Patch Boys, 1-800-BOARDUP, redbox+ Dumpsters, Z PLUMBERZ, WINMAR, Clear Pest Pros, COOL-BINZ, and JUNKCO+. Matt O'Rourke serves as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group, driving strategic expansion across the entire portfolio while leading Z PLUMBERZ as Brand President. Need help finding a franchise to own? Join the Growth Club now!

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  Meet the Franchise

  Investing in a Residential Assisted Living & Memory Care Franchise With Legato Living

  Aug 5, 202621 min

  Are you looking to invest in a Senior Care franchise? On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Erin Render , CEO of Legato Living , to discuss how her extensive background in Healthcare Administration and hands-on experience in residential long-term care led to founding a specialized memory care model that disrupts the big-box senior living industry. Operating on a specialized residential model focused on moderate to advanced dementia care, Legato Living is designed for high resident retention, allowing individuals to truly age in place through flat-rate pricing and customized programs like music therapy. Erin Render holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from Creighton University and Bellevue University, respectively. After starting her career directing traditional assisted living facilities, Render recognized systemic gaps in big-box senior care. Working side by side with Jerod Evanich and Dustin Distefano, founders of the "A Place at Home" franchise system, Render leveraged their proven franchise infrastructure to officially roll out the Legato Living concept. Need help finding a franchise to own? Join the Growth Club now!

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  Meet the Franchise

  How Zack Willey Built Vets Easy Trash Services into a Multi-Unit Franchise System

  Jul 31, 202625 min

  Are you a veteran looking to invest in a lucrative business? We sit down with Zach Willey , Founder and CEO of Veterans Easy Trash Services , to discuss how he leveraged 17+ years of high-stakes U.S. Army leadership to create a business that gives veterans an opportunity to tap into the $10+ Billion national trash management industry. Vets Easy Trash is executing a strategic expansion plan across core markets in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, and Virginia. Company partnerships covering over 1 million apartment units, structured operational roadmaps that scale unit revenue from $10k to $100k+ per month, and specialized funding partnerships with Benetrends Financial offering flexible capitalization strategies make this business a standout investment. A decorated U.S. Army veteran with over 17 years of military leadership—including serving as an Assistant Professor at West Point, a Company Commander managing $40M+ in combat equipment, and an Executive Officer directing complex overseas logistics in Afghanistan—Willey translated mission-critical execution into the commercial waste management space. Need help finding a franchise to own? Join the Growth Club now!

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  Meet the Franchise

  Capitalizing on the $2 Trillion Wellness Boom with Multi-Unit QSR Expansion: The Smoothie King

  Jul 31, 202621 min

  We sit down with Shawn Caric, Vice President of Franchising at Smoothie King , to discuss why Smoothie King is the right choice for top-tier unit economics investors interested in the health and wellness smoothie industry. Capitalizing on a U.S. wellness market that exceeds $2 trillion and grows at nearly 8% annually, Smoothie King operates a footprint of over 1,200 stores in the United States and more than 1,300 locations worldwide. The brand is executing strategic expansion plans across high-growth target markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, and West. Caric brings decades of restaurant development leadership to the brand, having previously led franchise expansion efforts for Dunkin' Brands, Baskin-Robbins, QDOBA Mexican Eats, and Red Mango. Start your Growth Club Journey today https://bit.ly/4azU9fs

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