What's Up? (And What's Down?)

Want to know what’s really happening in franchising? We crunched five years’ worth of data—and found trends you might have missed.

Where Did Your Brand Voice Come From?

Every company has a personality and a communication style. Here, the founders of six companies share how they figured out what their business should sound like.

Wrangling the Many-Headed Monster

For mom-and-pop business owners, just as inflation calms in one area of operations, it rears its head somewhere else. The best way to stay on top of it, experts Say, is to stay flexible.

A Sweet Scoop of Success

Want to open 15 units in 15 years? Follow the playbook of Primo Partners-Ben & Jerry's only Black-owned multi-unit franchise group.

Bozoma Saint John – 'You Want to Be Well-Known'

Bozoma Saint John has been a high-profile marketer for the likes of Netflix, Uber, and Apple. If you want to succeed, she says, don’t be shy about marketing yourself.

How One Mom & Pop Shop Expanded 2,500 Times

Jersey Mike's famously began as a single shop owned by a teenager. Now it's everywhere. How exactly does that happen?

Finding My Stride

by Leigh Ann Cannady, founder and artistic director, Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts

Give Yourself Some Grace

Franchising isn't always easy-but if you acknowledge when you're doing the best you can, the way Weed Man CEO Jen Lemcke has, then everything will be okay.

The $12 Billion Question

Brex was a fintech unicorn that grew too fast and nearly imploded. To turn it into the multibillion-dollar company that it's become, its founders had to step back and ask: \"What do we do, and who are we for?\" Finding those answers wasn't easy.

MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT

Independent businesses are unique, so there’s no cookie-cutter formula for marketing, experts Say. It’s all about trying things out—but try things for long enough to really know if they're working.

HOW DAVID BEATS OUT GOLIATH

Can mom-and-pop shops truly compete against big-box behemoths and e-commerce giants? Yes, experts say—but they have to think and act truly local.

The Sound of Social Silence

Do people ignore your social media posts? That might not be a bad thing.

What's Your Ghost Job?

It's one of your five jobs. And if you want to find meaning at work, you must identify all of them.

Choosing the Words That Can Change Your Company

Is it time to update your vision statement? A few words can shift how your entire organization thinks. Here's how I figured out the words that were right for us.

Are You Productive?

Maybe you think you are. I did. But to avoid burning out, we may need to think differently

The Bubble Gets Bigger

Want to capitalize on a booming trend? There's a lot to learn from Kung Fu Tea

A Golden Opportunity in the Golden Years

Who are the best caretakers for seniors? This franchise's answer: other seniors

Fixing the First Big Stumbles

Orangetheory's first franchise units weren't working. Here's how the brand stepped back, readjusted, and unlocked massive growth

The Expansion Plan Man

Yogurtland's founder doesn't just open new units. He opens new food concepts, too. Here, Phillip Chang explains how to grow by expanding your mission

'I Am Strong Enough'

Not sure you can take on a new challenge like franchising? Shea Coleman has advice she learned from the military: You've got this

A One-Company Kind of Guy

When we talk about loyalty, we usually think of customers. But this franchisee has operated various restaurant brands under a single franchisor, and reaped the benefits

WHO TRANSFORMED SMOOTHIE KING?

He more than doubled the company's size. He made the drinks healthy again. And he's an unlikely franchisee from Korea with an incredible story to tell

WHO WANTS TO BE FRANCHISEE No. 1?

Being a brand's test case requires a leap of faith. Here's why some entrepreneurs are willing-and even standing in line-to go first

How to Attract Diverse Owners

The old fixes aren't enough. To diversify franchising's ranks, we need to start rethinking big parts of the business

How to Stop Getting Ghosted

You think the sale is in the bag, and then your prospect goes dark. Why? Check your process

You Don't Have to Start Fresh

Instead of buying a new franchise location, have you considered buying an existing one?

6 Questions to Start Your Franchise Search

Are you interested in becoming a franchisee? These questions will help guide your first steps

These Videos Can Close the Deal

If you're a franchise looking to attract franchisees, here's how to roll camera strategically

The Upside of a Down Market?

Yes, the economy is a little spooky. But that means a lot of big opportunities in franchising.

Don't Repeat My 3 Biggest Business Mistakes

Want to succeed in franchising, or business in general? Here’s what I learned through failure.