The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day. Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community. <

The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 60 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.

Unknown Host hosts The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast, a business show with 60 episodes published.

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  Episode #60

  Your Franchise Is Making Money. But Is It Profitable? w/ Rod Bristol

  Aug 19, 202650 min

  You can have money in the bank and still have no idea whether your franchise is actually profitable. For many franchise owners, financial literacy isn't something they learned before going into business or during onboarding. They may know their revenue, watch their bank balance, and have a bookkeeper handling the numbers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they understand what their P&L is telling them or how to use that information to spot problems early instead of reacting after it's too late. In this episode, leading financial educator and Certified Franchise Executive, and creator of the Profitability Playbook, Rod Bristol shares what he's learned from decades of helping franchise owners understand the numbers behind their businesses. Rod explains why making money doesn't always mean your business is profitable, the four ways every business can improve profitability, and why understanding concepts like break-even and contribution margin, alongside healthy cash flow management, can completely change the way an owner operates their business. Rod also shares why financial education should begin during franchisee onboarding, what franchisors can learn by looking closely at unit-level profitability, and the simple monthly habit he sees among the most profitable business owners. You'll also hear the story of franchisees who went from struggling with profitability to operating five million-dollar locations, and why Rod believes understanding your numbers gives you the ability to make better decisions, grow intentionally, and build a more valuable business. Connect with Rod: Email: Rodbristol@icloud.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-bristol-cfe-a72167163/ Text/Call: 206-742-3443 Rod’s Book Recommendations: The Martian by Andy Weir Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Episode Highlights: Why revenue doesn't always equal profitability Understanding your P&L and financial statements Why financial literacy should start during onboarding The importance of franchisee unit economics When poor profitability signals a broken franchise model The four ways to improve profitability Using break-even and contribution margin to make decisions Why franchisors need to focus beyond the top line The monthly financial habit of profitable owners Making proactive decisions before financial problems grow Resources: Leadership Lessons from Jo Kirchner on Perfection, Progress & Community - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/15909664-leadership-lessons-from-jo-kirchner-on-perfection-progress-and-community Leading with Passion, Purpose & Loyalty w/ Paul Pickett - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369319/episodes/17267486-leading-with-passion-purpose-loyalty-w-paul-pickett Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

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  Episode #59

  Why Engaged Franchisees Outperform Everyone Else w/ Barb Moran

  Aug 5, 202645 min

  What separates the highest-performing franchisees from everyone else? Barb Moran believes it starts with something many leaders don't measure closely enough: franchisee engagement. Many franchisors focus on growing their systems, but long-term success depends on something far less obvious: building franchisees who are fully engaged in the business and invested in the success of the entire brand. In this episode, Barb Moran, CEO of Moran Family of Brands, shares why engagement has become one of the strongest predictors of profitability inside her organization and how intentionally building the right culture helps franchisees embrace change, collaborate with one another, and build stronger businesses. Barb also reflects on her journey from being told she would never lead her family's company because she was a woman to ultimately becoming CEO and expanding the business into Canada. Along the way, she shares practical lessons on succession planning, building core values that shape everyday decisions, creating meaningful collaboration between franchisees, and helping owners become active contributors to the success of the entire system. Whether you're launching a franchise brand or leading an established system, this conversation offers practical strategies for building stronger franchise relationships, increasing engagement, and creating sustainable, long-term growth. Connect with Barb: Email: BMoran@moranbrands.com Website: https://moranfamilyofbrands.com/ Episode Highlights: Why franchisee engagement drives profitability Measuring franchisee engagement and accountability Building a franchise culture around the DRIVE core values Creating collaboration through peer groups and town halls Growing up in the family business and becoming CEO Buying the family business and navigating succession Embracing AI and technology as opportunities for growth Expanding Moran Family of Brands into Canada Preserving culture during acquisitions and growth Leadership advice for both franchisors and franchisees Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

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  Episode #58

  Why Franchisee Success Should Come Before Franchise Growth w/ Amrit Dhaliwal

  Jul 22, 202647 min

  Every franchisor dreams of selling more territories. Few stop to ask whether they're building a franchise system their franchisees can actually succeed in. Every emerging franchisor wants to grow their brand, expand into new markets, and welcome new franchisees. But growth without the right systems, support, and profitability can create problems that are much harder to fix later. In this episode, Amrit Dhaliwal shares why he's intentionally choosing slower, more sustainable growth while building a rapidly growing home care franchise brand in the UK. After starting as a franchisee with no industry experience, he learned firsthand how mentorship, strong systems, and putting franchisees first can make all the difference. You'll also hear why franchisee profitability should come before franchise growth, how a learner's mindset has shaped his leadership, and why the strongest franchise brands measure success by the impact they create, not simply the number of locations they open. Amrit Dhaliwal is CEO and founder of Walfinch, one of the UK’s fastest-growing home care franchise networks with 30+ territories nationwide. A former franchisee turned franchisor, he’s the author of Time to Thrive: The Home Care Revolution and host of the Walking With Walfinch podcast. Amrit has been named in the Social Care Top 30 and recognised as Emerging Franchisor of the Year. So, if you're ready to build a stronger franchise by putting franchisee success before franchise growth, this episode is for you. Connect with Amrit: Franchise opportunities: https://walfinchfranchising.com Home care services: https://walfinch.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amrit-dhaliwal-a436445b Episode Highlights: Why franchisee success should come before franchise growth Building a sustainable franchise through intentional growth Lessons learned from becoming a franchisee with no industry experience How mentorship shaped Amrit's leadership journey Measuring franchise success by impact, not unit count Why curiosity and continuous learning make better franchise leaders Balancing entrepreneurship, family, and long-term success The power of putting people before profits Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

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  Episode #57

  How to Scale Without Losing Your Brand Identity w/ Shana Krisan

  Jul 8, 202645 min

  What happens when your franchise grows faster than the systems designed to support it? Many brands dream about expansion, but growth creates a new challenge: maintaining the consistency, culture, and customer experience that made people fall in love with the brand in the first place. As locations multiply, leaders must find ways to support franchisees, protect the brand, and adapt to changing customer expectations without losing what made the business successful. In this episode, Goldfish Swim School Chief Marketing Officer Shana Krisan shares what she's learned helping grow the brand from just 12 locations to more than 200 across the United States and Canada. She explains how strong systems, clear brand standards, local marketing support, and franchisee collaboration have helped Goldfish scale while staying true to its mission and customer experience. Shana also opens up about leadership, hiring, authenticity, franchisee relationships, and the mission-driven culture that has helped Goldfish continue to grow while staying true to its purpose. She shares why building the right team is often more important than finding the latest marketing tactic and how strong partnerships, collaboration, and a clear mission have helped the brand scale without losing what makes it special. Whether you're leading a franchise system, growing a multi-location business, or building a team that can scale with you, this conversation offers practical insights on growing without losing the identity that made your brand successful in the first place. Connect with Shana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-krisan-cfe-1a20581b/ Email: shana@goldfishfranchise.com Website: https://goldfishswimschool.com/ Episode Highlights:How Shana found her way into franchising Growing Goldfish Swim School from 12 to 208 locations Maintaining brand consistency during rapid growth Supporting franchisees through systems and playbooks The balance between national and local marketing Hiring the right people as your organization scales Learning from franchisee innovation Building strong industry relationships and collaboration Leading with authenticity and self-awareness Scaling a brand without losing its identity Connect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com

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  Episode #56

  From a $200K Territory to a $537M Brand w/ Jennifer Lemcke

  Jun 24, 202640 minS0

  <p>Jennifer Lemcke will tell you that the best thing she ever did before leading a franchise brand was spending a full year working inside one first. Learning every role from the ground up before she ever stepped into leadership is what eventually took her from General Manager of a single Ottawa territory doing $200,000 in system sales to CEO of a $537.3 million brand.</p><p>In today's episode, we sit down with Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man and Turf Holdings, to talk about what it actually looks like to grow a franchise brand from the inside out. Jennifer started...

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