Podcast
Franchise Today
Hosted by Stan Friedman · EN
Welcome to Franchise Today as it celebrates its 1th Season in 2025. Join host Stan Friedman, President of FRM Solutions every Wednesday at 12 PM ET / 11 AM CT as he serves up discussions with weekly guests, who will talk about best practices for scaling their franchise businesses for sustainable growth, through sensible franchising.
Franchising remains an unintentional profession. Most people don't go to school to study about how to become involved in franchising. Rather, some life event causes it to find us. Each episode of the podcast begins with a look back at how franchising found that week's guest.
This is followed by a walk through the milestones of their journey and career, up to and including the present day. My guests could be franchisors, franchisees or suppliers, who provide insights into high-level support services or top-quality products to better enable the franchise community. Each podcast will wrap with a look ahead to upcoming industry events, upcoming guests or important dates on the horizon.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Outreach Genius Uses AI to Unlock Hidden Franchise Revenue
May 1300:39:12Tap to summarizeWhat if your franchise system is already sitting on millions of dollars in hidden revenue… and you just haven’t unlocked it yet?In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman welcomes back David Owasi, CEO of Outreach Genius, for one of the most practical and eye-opening conversations yet about AI, franchise growth, and dormant lead recovery.Forget the hype.This conversation is about what AI can do right now for franchisors, franchisees, and home service operators willing to think differently.David reveals how brands are:Reviving thousands of dormant CRM leadsGenerating new business from permits data and realtor relationshipsUsing AI-powered outreach to increase engagement and conversionsAccelerating software development from idea to launch in days instead of monthsAnd creating scalable systems that save time while uncovering hidden revenue opportunitiesOne standout insight:Most businesses are obsessed with generating new leads while completely ignoring the goldmine already sitting inside their databases.David explains why AI isn’t replacing human strategy—it’s amplifying it.But there’s a catch:Bad thinking still produces bad outcomes.The businesses winning with AI are the ones combining automation with discipline, infrastructure, compliance, and clear strategic direction.Stan and David also discuss:AI-assisted coding and rapid prototypingMulti-channel outreach strategiesExit interviews and competitive intelligenceWhy “those who know more, grow more”And where franchising is headed as AI becomes mainstreamIf you’re a franchisor, supplier, entrepreneur, or franchise executive trying to separate real AI opportunities from empty noise, this episode delivers actionable insights you can use immediately.This isn’t theory... It’s the future of franchise growth, and the future is NOW!
Transcribe →Amazing... Tacos, Unit-economics & Culture
Aug 1, 2018Tap to summarize“What we saw in Fuzzy’s was not just amazing unit economics, but an amazing culture." - Aziz Hashim, Managing Partner, NRD Capital This week on Franchise Today co-hosts Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto welcome as their guest Mel Knight, Co-founder & President of Fuzzy's Taco Shop. Knight discusses how Fuzzy’s, known for a menu of Baja-style tacos with a fast-casual, counter-order service style was founded in 2001, experienced steady growth spurred by a cult-like following, eventually drawing the attention of Atlanta-based NRD Capital who acquired a 70 percent stake in the brand in 2016. Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 12 PM Eastern Time / 11 AM Central Time with on-demand access on iTunes and is proudly sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.
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