Johnny Franchise Blog

Inside the 2025 FBR Franchise Summit: Real Conversations with Real Leaders

I just returned from another fantastic Franchise Business Review (FBR) Franchise Summit in Austin, Texas, and this year reminded me exactly why I love this industry.

October is a turning point. The leaves change, the pace of business shifts, and franchisors start looking at the final stretch of the year. Whether you are leading a national brand or managing a supplier team, this is the moment to pause, reset, and get intentional about how you will finish 2025.

Even the best-run franchise systems hit bumps in the road. Events get off track, communication misses the mark, or execution falls short.

Leadership Isn’t a Title. It’s a Tipping Point.

Want Higher Valuations? Start With Stronger Foundations

At the recent Faegre Drinker Franchise Summit, I attended a panel session focused on private equity and M&A in franchising. The panel featured several respected leaders from both the franchise and investment sides of the industry.

What Your Franchisees Don’t Know Might Be Costing Your Brand

As a franchisor, you’ve probably experienced this: the brand grows steadily, franchisees are joining, but suddenly something feels off. Franchisee performance slows, cracks appear in your system, and frustration sets in for everyone involved.

If you're a franchisor and find yourself thinking…

There’s a moment in nearly every franchisor’s journey when the dream starts to feel like a burden. Growth is happening, the brand is expanding, but the founder? Burned out. Frustrated. Wondering if this is really what they signed up for.

After decades in franchising, I’ve learned that success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about sharing what you’ve learned and asking the right questions. I don’t claim to know it all, but if you’re facing a challenge in your franchise system, chances are, I’ve seen it, lived it, or helped someone else navigate it.

As a franchisor, you’ve invested countless hours and resources into building the systems your franchisees need to succeed—training programs, vendor partnerships, technology platforms, and operational tools. But too often, you hit a frustrating roadblock: those carefully built resources aren’t being used to their full potential.