By Evan Hackel When people list franchising’s biggest challenges, the same culprits always surface: government regulation, the rising cost of leads, or the constant grind of hiring. All are real. But after 25 years as a franchisor and franchisee, and another 15 years...
Expert Advice
We know that timely, professional advice is crucial to
making smart business decisions.
From One Store to 500: How Strategic Communications Scale With Franchise Expansion
Growth is the goal of every ambitious franchise brand. From the first grand opening to the five-hundredth ribbon cutting, the milestones matter. But growth does not guarantee cohesion. As franchise operations scale, so must communications. What starts as a local...
Brands that Don’t Play: Invest in Stability with These Kid-Centric Franchises
Selecting a brand among the 850,000+ here in the U.S. is nothing short of overwhelming. There are plenty of excellent companies that already have it all put together — the model, the branding, the build-out process, strong numbers — which means the decision often...
A 5 Year Franchise Empire PE Exit Plan?
Let’s walk through this together—because if you’re serious about leaving corporate America and building something that private equity wants to buy, you need more than ambition. You need a plan that works in the real world. And right now, I’ve got that plan for you,...
Leaving Corporate? Here’s What No One Tells You About Starting a Franchise
You built your corporate career on performance, precision, and navigating office politics. You didn’t leave because you failed. You left because you outgrew it, or the company self-corrected, and you became a line item. Now, instead of executive titles and executive...
Seven Powerful Strategies to Drive Franchise Engagement and Growth
By Evan Hackel Franchise systems thrive when all stakeholders - franchisees, franchisors, and staff - are aligned in purpose and passion. Unfortunately, many systems fall short, operating in silos rather than as cohesive, high-performing teams. The remedy lies in one...
Strategic Business Planning for Franchisees: How to Survive & Thrive in Turbulent Times
By Lisa Plonka, Partner, CPA, CFE, Plante Moran Change is truly the only constant in business. While some shifts are easily anticipated, others are less predictable and potentially more impactful. Franchisees can take steps to protect their organizations against the...
Top franchise owners come in all shapes and sizes, but they share these traits in common
By Michael Moorhouse Even in a season of economic uncertainty, the franchising world keeps growing. Each year, more aspiring entrepreneurs are drawn to the franchise model—whether they’re looking to leave behind a corporate career, leverage years of trade experience,...
Collaboration is Still King in Franchising: How to Build Strong Bonds with Your Franchisees
By Kathy George, President of Spherion Staffing & Recruiting You hear the stories a lot. Stories about the bitterness, resentment, and conflicts between franchisees and franchisors, the feeling going both ways. I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that...
Six Franchise Marketing Strategies to Help Strengthen Your Brand
The franchise industry continues to grow and change, and marketing strategies must evolve simultaneously. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2025 Franchise Economic Outlook, franchises are anticipated to grow an additional 2.4% in 2025, a faster...











