Claim OwnershipHow I Franchised This
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How I Franchised This dives into the real stories of franchise owners who left the 9-to-5 to build something on their terms. Hosted by Franzy co-founder Alex Smereczniak, each episode explores the highs, lows, and lessons of franchise ownership, from first-time buyers to seasoned multi-unit operators. Whether you’re researching your first franchise or scaling your portfolio, Franzy’s here to guide you through the journey.
24 Episodes
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Former Green Bay Packer Terrence Murphy joins Alex Smereczniak for a candid, high speed tour of his journey from the NFL to building a portfolio that spans real estate, construction, and franchising. Terrence explains why he doubled down on real estate after an early injury, how he grew a brokerage to 1.5B in sales, and why franchising became a core pillar alongside development and acquisitions. He breaks down his operator playbook as a multi unit, multi brand owner with Crumbl and F45, plus how he partners on the real estate side with brands like Starbucks and Buffalo Wild Wings.
You will hear Terrence’s checklist for choosing brands, the simple metric discipline he uses to evaluate deals, and his most valuable lesson for first time franchisees. He shares how EOS and a one page roadmap keep 100 plus ventures aligned, why competence creates confidence, and why immersion and reps beat hacks and shortcuts. The conversation closes with practical advice on spouse alignment, risk, and getting off the bench, along with an open call for Texas operators and sellers who want a serious buyer at the table.
Lean more about franchising at Franzy.com
Connect with Terrence Murphy here
Scaling from one location to many takes more than ambition — it takes smart financing. In this highlights episode, we dig into how successful operators structure funding for multi-unit franchise growth.
First, Crumbl franchisees Taylor Byington and Shideleler Bennett share how they raised friends-and-family money, the mistakes that left them cash-strapped, and the smarter financing structure they’d use if they could start over. Then, Kal Gullapalli — a multi-brand operator with over 100 units — breaks down how larger deals are financed, from equity splits and debt terms to lender relationships and fund structures.
If you’re planning to grow beyond a single unit, this episode shows how top franchisees finance the leap.
🎧 From How I Franchised This — powered by Franzy.
Sherman Walters grew up sleeping in an ice cream cone box at his family’s Dairy Queen—literally. What started as his father’s handwritten napkin deal in the 1970s turned into a 50-year family business that spanned generations.
In this episode, Sherman shares how his family built and eventually sold their Dairy Queen locations, the lessons he learned stepping away from the counter to become a restaurant broker, and why every franchisee—no matter their size—should start with an exit strategy.
We dive into:
The surprising origin story of one of Charlotte’s oldest Dairy Queen locations
How to emotionally detach from your business (and why it matters for valuation)
The realities of selling a franchise and structuring your lease right
Why franchising isn’t about control—it’s about knowing your strengths
Whether you’re running your first store or planning your next acquisition, this episode is packed with real-world insights from someone who’s lived both sides of the franchising table.
Josh Emison served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps before becoming a franchise owner in Denver. Today, he and his wife operate three Tippi Toes territories, a mobile dance program for young children. Their journey started with a simple goal—to build something of their own—and grew into a thriving local business that blends structure, leadership, and community.
In this episode, Josh shares how his military background shaped his leadership style and why the systems and training culture of franchising felt like a natural fit. He talks about following the franchisor’s playbook, trusting good people, and learning that success often comes from doing the basics exceptionally well.
Josh also opens up about an earlier chapter in his career, when he launched a blockchain startup that collapsed during the FTX fallout. That experience pushed him toward franchising—where the focus is on steady, proven growth rather than hype or volatility.
We cover how he and his wife divided responsibilities, handled a major summer drop-off in customers, and built systems to reach their next growth milestone of 1,000 enrolled students. Josh closes with advice for aspiring owners, especially veterans: find the right fit, talk to franchisees directly, get real financial help, and never underestimate how capable you already are.
Patricia Rincón and Felipe Lastra share their journey into franchise ownership with LuminLash in Houston. After careers in oil and gas, they decided to invest in themselves and their family by acquiring an existing eyelash extension studio. In this episode, they discuss choosing franchising over starting from scratch, what they learned in the early months, and how they’re planning for future growth.
Ashley Clark never planned on franchising. Fresh out of Clemson and headed for law school, a single suggestion from her dad led to a Kilwins inquiry and, twelve years later, a six-store operation across four states with five more in the pipeline. In this episode, Ashley breaks down how she and her husband went all in, financed growth through SBA and conventional debt, built systems, and learned to lead at scale.
What you’ll learn
How Ashley bought her first store and went cash positive on day one
The leap from one to two units including selling their house to fund the deal
When SBA makes sense and when conventional lending opens up
Why franchising still feels entrepreneurial
The mindset shift from operator to multi-unit leader
Systems, people, and the biggest misconceptions about franchising
Barry Meisel grew up in the Philippines as the child of missionaries, built an early career in corporate America, and then made the leap into multi-unit franchising. In this episode of How I Franchised This, host Alex Smereczniak dives into Barry’s remarkable path — from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Fortune 50 financial services to becoming CFO of a 30-unit franchise group and ultimately owning 12 salons across Illinois and Wisconsin.
You’ll hear how Barry:
Turned formative overseas experiences into an entrepreneurial mindset
Built relationships that led to unexpected opportunities (and why he says “take the call, take the meeting”)
Structured creative financing, including seller financing, to acquire existing units
Leads and motivates a dispersed team while living hundreds of miles away
If you’re thinking about buying a franchise or moving from corporate to business ownership, this conversation is packed with practical tips, honest lessons, and inspiration.
Cody Weaver went from selling golf balls out of ponds as a kid, to launching edgy novelty products in college, to building a decade-long career in footwear with Steve Madden and Dolce Vita. Today he’s a Donatos Pizza franchise partner in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
In this episode of How I Franchised This, host Alex Smereczniak talks with Cody about his path from entrepreneur to intrapreneur to franchisee, how he spotted an opportunity in his own backyard, what it’s really like balancing a corporate leadership role with running a high-volume restaurant, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Whether you’re thinking about your first franchise or curious how successful operators make the leap, this episode offers a candid look at the realities behind the headlines.
What began as a summer project cleaning grills in Toronto has become a fast-growing franchise. Michael Sutton walks through the scrappy early days, the boost from Dragon’s Den, and the decision to scale through franchising. He talks about the shift from managing techs to leading franchisees, bringing on a COO, and the importance of picking the right operators. Plus, his advice for entrepreneurs considering their first franchise investment.
Check out Grill Hero on Franzy: https://franzy.com/franchises/grill-hero
In this episode of How I Franchised This, Alex Vidor steps in as host and sits down with Stephen Tong, a former law enforcement officer who traded 12-hour shifts and overtime cycles for entrepreneurship in the turf industry. Stephen shares how his background in policing prepared him for business ownership, why time and family were central to his decision to leave law enforcement, and how Franzy guided him through evaluating multiple brands before finding the right fit with Waterloo Turf.
Hear how Stephen navigated the first 90 days of ownership, the support he’s received from Waterloo, and the lessons he’s learned about managing people, growth, and grit. Whether you’re considering franchising, curious about career transitions, or inspired by stories of betting on yourself, Stephen’s journey offers practical insights and motivation.
This week’s episode takes a different spin. With CEO Alex Smereczniak out, VP of Business Development Alex Vidor steps into the host seat to interview Franzy’s cofounder and COO, Chris Wright.
Chris shares his journey into franchising, why he made the leap to cofound Franzy, and the lessons he’s learned building and scaling the company. The conversation also zooms out into the bigger franchising picture — from why 2025 is such an interesting time to become a franchisee, to how AI and economic trends are reshaping the industry, to what multi-unit owners think about differently than first-time buyers.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or already own multiple units, this candid conversation offers valuable insights into where franchising is headed.
Check us out at Franzy.com
1Calvin Smith has worn a lot of hats — U.S. Marine, healthcare executive, EOS implementer, and owner of multiple franchise brands including Sinarama and Superior Fence & Rail. In this episode, Calvin shares his journey from the military to entrepreneurship, why franchising became his playbook for growth, and how he’s scaled across different industries. We cover what new franchisees get wrong, how veterans are uniquely equipped for business ownership, and the importance of due diligence when picking a brand. Whether you’re debating between starting from scratch or buying into a proven system, Calvin’s hard-earned lessons will help you think bigger and avoid costly mistakes.
Check us out at Franzy.com
This week, we’re turning the mic around. Franzy’s CEO and co-founder, Alex Smereczniak, joins fellow team member Alex Vidor for a deep dive into his own journey — from launching a student laundry startup to raising $30M+ for 2ULaundry, to becoming a multi-unit franchisee of the golf simulator concept Another 9.
You’ll hear:
Why Alex decided to "eat his own cooking" and buy into a franchise
How Franzy is fixing what’s broken in the franchise discovery process
The playbook for site selection, finding a partner, and scaling past 1 unit
What most people get totally wrong about franchising
If you’ve ever thought about owning a business but didn’t know where to start, this is the episode for you.
After flying F-15s as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Vivek jumped into a whole new arena. He’s now a multi-unit franchisee (owning Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids), startup founder, and franchise advisor here at Franzy. He’s also behind a trauma recovery app helping hundreds worldwide.
What really happens when one franchisee sells—and another steps in? In this episode, we hear both sides of a rare transaction between Brian Gross, the seller of Art of Drawers Tampa, and Sid Kinghar, the buyer who left corporate finance to become a first-time business owner.
You’ll learn:
Why Sid chose a franchise resale over starting from scratch
How Brian structured the deal, including seller financing terms
What both wish existed to make franchise resales easier
Franchise resales are one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) entry points into business ownership. This conversation breaks down the real mechanics of a deal—pricing, diligence, negotiation, and the human element of trust. If you're thinking about buying or selling a franchise, this episode is a must-listen.
Kal started out slinging pizzas at Little Caesars and ended up running one of the most diverse and fast-growing franchise portfolios in the country. In this episode, he joins Alex Smereczniak to unpack the full journey—how he went from investment banking to buying butcher shops and pizzerias, to opening OrangeTheory gyms, and now scaling some of the hottest brands in franchising like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Marco’s Pizza, and Pop-Up Bagels.
You’ll hear:
Why Kal’s franchise diligence looks more like equity research
The exact capital structures he uses to finance 7- and 8-figure rollups
How he thinks about brand selection, from tech-forward ops to red flags
What every operator needs to know before going from 2 to 20 to 100+ units
If you're serious about scaling in franchising, this episode is a masterclass in how to think—and build—like a multi-unit powerhouse.
Learn more about starting your own franchise empire at franzy.com
Welcome back to How I Franchised This — the show where we dive into the real stories behind franchise empires, told directly by the people who built them.
Today’s guest is Adam Contos: former CEO of RE/MAX, Marine Corps veteran, SWAT commander turned business builder, and now co-founder of Area 15 Ventures.
From undercover narcotics work to leading one of the world’s largest real estate franchises, Adam’s journey is anything but ordinary. But what ties it all together? Systems, leadership, and a relentless drive to grow businesses — and the people behind them.
In this episode, we cover:
What it means to “narc market” (yes, really)
Why franchising is the ultimate community builder
The mindset shifts every new franchisee must make
How Adam is backing the next generation of operators with purpose and passion
Whether you’re thinking about owning a business, scaling one, or just obsessed with how leaders think — this episode’s for you.
What happens when you're literally born into franchising?
In this episode of How I Franchised This, Alex sits down with GR Waldrop—a second-generation operator who grew up making subs at Jersey Mike’s and now runs a growing portfolio that includes 19+ locations, a Dairy Queen, and a new deal with Vicious Biscuit.
They talk legacy, leadership, and what it really takes to scale from 1 to 20 units—and beyond. GR shares why your first store should be run like you already have three, how he’s preparing to open his first 3,000 sq ft full-service brunch spot, and what most people completely misunderstand about royalties, playbooks, and the “people business” behind every successful franchise.
Whether you're a first-time operator or eyeing your tenth brand, this one’s packed with hard-won insight.
👀 Looking for your perfect franchise fit? Start your journey at Franzy.com
Taylor Byington and Shideler Bennett went from pitching insurance door-to-door to opening nine Crumbl Cookies locations across three states.
In this episode, they share their unconventional path into franchising, including a failed startup, a surprise introduction to Crumbl, and what happened when they realized they were hundreds of thousands in the red. From living on couches to laying tile themselves, Taylor and Shy break down how they clawed their way back, what they learned about financing (and mis-financing), and why their new startup, Cover Panda, is built to help other operators scale smarter.
👉 Explore franchise opportunities at Franzy.com
Jon Bahr didn’t come from food service. He came from real estate finance. But after bingeing franchise podcasts and hearing Dan Reese pitch Milkshake Factory, he and his wife took the leap, signing a three-unit deal while juggling a new baby and no prior restaurant experience.
In this episode, Jon shares how he:
Went from franchise curious to all-in with Milkshake Factory
Navigated site selection, build-out headaches, and opening chaos
Built a team that crushed their grand opening with record sales
Balances 90-hour weeks with newborn life—and why he loves it
You’ll also hear Jon’s advice for first-time buyers, what most people get wrong about franchising, and why passion has to play a role in your decision.
👉 Explore franchises like Milkshake Factory at Franzy.com
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