• The Potential of a Veteran Franchisee - Insights from Bob McCracken
    Nov 17 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, a franchising professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University and host of the

    Franchise Hot Seat Podcast, converses with Bob McCracken, an Air Force and Air

    National Guard veteran and Hot Head Burritos franchisee. They delve into why

    veterans make exceptional franchisees, highlighting the discipline, meticulousness,

    and plan-following abilities honed during military service. They also discuss the

    Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran), a program providing financial

    benefits to veterans venturing into franchising, founded by Don Dwyer of the Dwyer

    Group. Bob recounts his personal franchising experience, from managing multiple

    franchises before the COVID-19 pandemic to effectively running a single unit. The

    conversation underscores the advantages of the VetFran program, encouraging

    more franchisors and veterans to join and leverage these opportunities

    - With Bob McCracken

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:32 Who is veteran franchisee Bob McCracken?

    01:03 Why are veterans great franchise owners?

    02:49 What is the VetFran story?

    08:35 Bob's Hot Head Burritos journey?

    10:57 Best way to encourage veteran franchising?

    16:10 Final advice for veteran entrepreneurs?

    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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    17 min
  • Legal Tips & Market Insights - With Rocky Reidel
    Nov 10 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes, host of the Franchise Hot Seat, engages in a comprehensive discussion

    with Schuyler "Rocky" Reidel, founder of the Reidel Law Firm, on various pressing

    and contentious topics in the franchising industry. They emphasize the crucial role of

    specialized legal advice in franchising, particularly during a government shutdown

    that affects SBA loans. Rocky underscores the importance for franchisees to

    comprehend their responsibilities and limitations within franchise agreements, and

    the significance of thoroughly understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document

    (FDD). The conversation also explores the issues arising from private equity

    ownership in franchising and its potential effects on franchisees. A significant part of

    the discussion is dedicated to Subway's market difficulties and the problems caused

    by remodeling requirements. The dialogue concludes with a reflection on the

    difficulties faced by McDonald's franchisees, the repercussions of unfavorable

    franchising conditions in states like California, and the imperative of due diligence

    for potential franchisees. - With Schuyler "Rocky" Reidel.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:37 Why is legal guidance crucial in franchising?

    01:19 What is a franchise agreement?

    02:26 How do SBA loans impact franchising?

    06:08 Biggest franchising challenges and misconceptions?

    19:23 What is the FDD's role?

    28:26 How does FTC regulate franchising?

    33:40 How is private equity changing franchising?

    44:18 Why is Subway struggling?

    52:52 Biggest challenges in food franchising?

    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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    58 min
  • Tips and Insights Into Franchising - With Jack and Jill Johnson
    Oct 27 2025

    DESCRIPTION:

    John Hayes hosts Jack and Jill Johnson from Franchise Insiders on the Franchise Hot

    Seat Podcast. The Johnsons' franchising journey began with Jack's father founding

    Home Care Assistance after a franchise rejection, which evolved into a successful

    family business. As franchise consultants, they guide others through the complex

    franchising world. Key topics include the necessity of thoroughly evaluating

    franchises, consulting with current franchise owners, and understanding the

    commitment needed for franchise success. They highlight home services and

    healthcare franchises as solid choices, while food and retail franchises may present

    greater risks and expenses. The Johnsons recount their experience owning and

    subsequently selling a Pink's franchise, underscoring the importance of an initial exit

    strategy. They urge younger individuals to enter franchising early and highlight the

    significance of active ownership. The podcast's objective is to offer valuable insights

    for potential franchise investors.

    - With Jack and Jill Johnson.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro

    00:31 How did you discover franchising?

    01:56 How to evaluate franchise opportunities?

    04:21 Why become a FranServe consultant?

    08:10 Why are home services franchises valuable?

    10:43 Is semi-absentee ownership realistic?

    18:18 How to avoid common franchise pitfalls?

    26:33 Why is exit planning crucial?

    32:00 How to choose the right franchise?

    42:46 Are young entrepreneurs good for franchising?

    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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    51 min
  • 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 min
  • 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 min
  • 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 min
  • 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 min
  • 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 min