Podcast
Social Geek
Hosted by Jack Monson · EN
Hello Geeks. Social Geek is the most popular Franchise podcast. Join Jack Monson and top marketing thought leaders and franchise executives for weekly Rock Star roundtables on hot topics and trends.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
So Here's The Thing: AI and Fran Dev Search
May 400:13:55Tap to summarizeOn our kind-of-weekly chat on the franchise restaurant space, Lauren Fernandez of Full Course and Jack Monson of Thunderly are investigating where potential restaurant owners are investigating. We’ll discuss the Franchise Disclosure Document and how it’s evolved into AI-fuel. And, we’ll share our hot tip for making your brand THE answer when candidates are researching brands on AI apps. Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.
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One On One with Larisa Walega
Apr 2800:29:59Tap to summarizeWe’re continuing our series of one-on-one talks with this year’s Social Geek Franchise Thought Leadership Award winners. Larisa Walega, CGO of Ziebart International and a member of the IFA Board of Directors, is here to share what she sees happening right now in Franchising. We dive deep into: The rise of the Chief GROWTH Officer Her journey into – and discovery of – Franchising AI & tech for franchise growth Building on customer experiences over services And the continued growth and evolution of the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee, which Larisa grew over the past two years as Chair. Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and our newest partner, Pilot.Special Guest: Larisa Walega.
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So Here's The Thing: Finding $1.5 Trillion
Apr 2700:14:59Tap to summarizeOn our kind-of-weekly chat on the franchise restaurant space, Lauren Fernandez of Full Course and Jack Monson of Thunderly are looking for the cash this week! Where will the restaurant industry find an the next $1.5 Trillion this year? Franchisee consolidation Organized, focused resales Professional multi-unit operators Not the small, individual location operators Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.
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One On One with Edith Wiseman
Apr 2100:36:30Tap to summarizeWe’re continuing our series of one-on-one talks with this year’s Social Geek Franchise Thought Leadership Award winners. Edith Wiseman, President of FranData, is here to share what she sees happening right now in Franchising. Every chat I have with Edith makes me feel smarter! Today we discuss: Definitions of the faster growing franchise brands The value of more sophisticated franchisees The “happening” sectors and how to spot the next new thing Her own goals for sharing meaningful content and staying consistent Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and our newest partner, Pilot.Special Guest: Edith Wiseman.
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One On One with Richard Snow
Apr 1400:43:22Tap to summarizeToday on Social Geek, we’re kicking off a series of conversations with this year’s Franchise Thought Leadership Award winners. I can’t think of a better way to start the series than to sit down with Richard Snow. Richard is leading Franchising on many fronts as the Founder & CEO of Amplify Franchise Financing, Franchisee with Brooklyn Robot Foundry, a member of the IFA Board of Directors, and the Past Chair of the IFA Diversity Institute. Richard and I have a wide-ranging conversation about where franchising is now, and where it’s going. We both like the analogy that Franchising is farming and we’re always planting new seeds in many places. We cover trends in funding and shifting situations with lenders as well as the importance of being intentional and being passionate about building your brand. Catch Richard’s next speaking opportunity at The International Franchise Expo with MFV May 29th & 30th in New York! Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and our newest partner, Pilot.Special Guest: Richard Snow.
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Marketing & Innovation Update: Steve Buors and Lauren Fernandez
Mar 3100:29:50Tap to summarizeWelcome to Social Geek, the most popular franchise podcast! In our latest Marketing & Innovation update for the franchise community, we'll first chat with Steve Buors, CEO of ReShift Media. Steve's team is rolling out a new marketing platform made specifically for Franchising called Franify. Next up, Lauren Fernandez of Full Course is back with another installment of the So, Here's the Thing segment focusing on the Restaurant Franchise space. This week, we've got tips for spring cleaning your marketing plan. Get ready to scrub! Thanks to Citrin Cooperman, AnswerConnect, and Thunderly ⚡ Learn more about Franify at https://reveal.franify.com/Special Guests: Lauren Fernandez and Steve Buors.
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So Here's The Thing: Spring Cleaning Part 1
Mar 900:13:35Tap to summarizeCleanup on aisle 7 of the restaurant and franchising business! There is a lot of messy stuff in the business right now that needs a good spring cleaning. Join Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson for Part 1 of this conversation including: A focus on franchisees and unit level profitability The ratio of company owned units to franchised units Revising labor schedules and models Part 2 coming soon!Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.
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Live at IFA 2026 with Jack Monson
Mar 300:32:12Tap to summarizeWelcome to the first in a series of podcasts recorded at IFA 2026 that will be available for you on Social Geek, IFA’s Franchise Voice, The WFC’s Her Success, Franchise Freaks, and The Franchise News Podcast. The Franchise Rock Stars are all together live and in person to share what they’ve seen so far at the event and how it affects their Franchising plans for 2026. Thanks Ali Kraus, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, Danielle Wright, Scott Greenberg. Clint Smith, the Founder & CEO of CareerPlug, joins to discuss trends in hiring and retaining top talent in Franchising as well as highlights from his new book, The Franchise People Playbook. Mitch Cohen is one the busiest guys in Franchising as a multi-unit multi-brand owner with Jersey Mike’s & Sola Salons; Advisor with Leap Brands & FranReal; Board Member with The IFA; and now the Chair of Multi-Unit Franchising Conference 2026. Mitch gives us a preview of MUFC, and we talk just a bit of hockey! Shout outs to Jim Craig, Matt Haller, Len Fischer, Global Franchise, WFC, IFA, FUM Thanks to today’s podcast sponsors AnswerConnect, Citrin Cooperman, and Thunderly.Special Guests: Ali Kraus, Clint Smith, Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Mitch Cohen.
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So Here's The Thing: IPOs and Fractionals
Feb 2600:15:46Tap to summarizeWho's going to have a bigger year: Restaurant IPOs or Fractional C-Suite? The "it girl" of 2026 may be the Fractional C-Suite. Join Lauren Fernandez and Jack Monson for a conversation on IPOs and a bit of a debate on if Fractional workers can really be considered your C-Suite. Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.
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So Here's the Thing: Newstalgia
Feb 1500:14:52Tap to summarizeWe went all-in on delivery, and now the pendulum is swinging back. When you trade the dining room for grab-and-go, your labor model changes. Your ops change. Your customer changes. Before you know it, you look like a totally different brand. I think a lot of brands are finally realizing they were never just selling food in new channels. They were selling identity. When I work with restaurants, I like to understand: what are you actually building, a distribution machine? Or a brand people choose, in every format, even when they have 40 other options and as many brand loyalty apps? "Newstalgia" is bringing back the way it used to be, but for today's times. It's a flag that maybe we left a little too much behind in this age of the digital restaurant. Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.
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