FranchiseU!

On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Felipe Martinez, Vice President of Franchise Development at Estrella Insurance, about franchise ownership, franchise development, due diligence, and finding the right franchisees for long-term growth.Estrella Insurance has more than 45 years of operating history and over 240 franchise-owned locations across nine states. Felipe has helped lead the brand’s franchise development efforts for the past nine years, guiding prospective owners as they evaluate the Estrella Insurance business model, the insurance industry, and whether franchise ownership is the right fit.Felipe explains why successful franchise development is about more than selling an opportunity. It requires carefully qualifying candidates and, at times, saying no when the fit is not right. He shares the qualities he looks for in successful franchise owners, including strong communication skills, a customer-service mindset, sales ability, leadership, and a willingness to follow a proven franchise system.Felipe also discusses one of the biggest mistakes prospective franchisees can make: allowing emotion to replace proper franchise due diligence. He emphasizes researching the opportunity, understanding the business model, asking difficult questions, and speaking with both current and former franchisees before making a decision.In this episode, you’ll learn:What franchise development professionals look for in prospective franchiseesHow to conduct effective franchise due diligenceWhy speaking with current and former franchisees is criticalWhat makes a successful franchise ownerHow franchising can support first-time business ownersFelipe Martinez is Vice President of Franchise Development at Estrella Insurance, where he helps entrepreneurs evaluate franchise ownership and pursue responsible business growth. His background includes sales, franchise development, coaching, consulting, real estate development, business development, and negotiation.Estrella Insurance is an established insurance franchise brand with more than 45 years of operating history and more than 240 franchise-owned locations across nine states.Make sure to listen and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows.Learn more about the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business. Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:Website: FranchiseU!Instagram: @franchiseu_podcastFacebook: @FranchiseU PodcastTwitter: @franchiseupodTikTok: @franchiseupod Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn. This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.

Jim Metevier’s career journey has taken him from restaurant assistant manager to CEO, with more than 30 years of experience across major restaurant brands. In this episode of FranchiseU, host Dr. Kathy Gosser reconnects with her former KFC colleague Jim Metevier, CEO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Jim shares his journey from KFC assistant manager to more than two decades with Yum! Brands, where he held leadership roles across operations, finance, marketing, development, and strategy before becoming Chief Operating Officer of KFC U.S. He later served as president of Biscuitville before joining Mountain Mike’s in 2018. Jim was named CEO of Mountain Mike’s in 2023. Under his leadership, the California-born brand surpassed 300 locations in 2025 and now has more than 100 restaurants in development across 17 states. Jim explains how Yum!’s people-first culture shaped his leadership style, emphasizing listening, developing people, building relationships, and creating systems that support franchisee success. As Mountain Mike’s expands, Jim says success starts with choosing franchise partners who will become active members of their communities. The brand supports growth through local outreach, PR, sampling, partnerships, and a strong Franchise Support Center mindset. For Jim, growth is not simply about adding locations. His primary goal is 100% franchisee success. He closes with advice for emerging leaders: stay flexible, keep learning, build relationships, help others succeed, and “lead with your ears.” Topics covered include:• Jim Metevier’s journey from KFC assistant manager to CEO • Leadership lessons from KFC and Yum! Brands • Selecting community-focused franchise partners • Building a Franchise Support Center culture • Balancing expansion with franchisee success • Career advice for emerging leaders Learn more about the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business. #JimMetevier #MountainMikesPizza #KFC #YumBrands #Biscuitville #FranchiseLeadership #FranchiseDevelopment #FranchiseGrowth #FranchiseeSuccess #FranchiseProfitability #RestaurantFranchising #PizzaFranchise #FranchiseSupport #FranchiseU #YumCenterForGlobalFranchiseExcellence Make sure to listen and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows. Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:Website: FranchiseU!Instagram: @franchiseu_podcastFacebook: @FranchiseU PodcastTwitter: @franchiseupodTikTok: @franchiseupod  Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn. This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Lori Riddle Eberenz, Director of Global Public Relations and Storytelling for Yum! Brands, to discuss how storytelling builds brands, strengthens franchise relationships, supports business strategy and helps leaders communicate through change and crisis. Lori shares her journey from journalism and agency work to nearly a decade with KFC and her current global role at Yum! Brands. She reflects on memorable KFC campaigns and explains that the best brand stories give people a reason to care, support the business strategy and remain authentic to the brand. She also discusses the importance of trust and relationships in franchising, including the story of KFC franchisee Clinton Lewis, who began as a teenage cook and later became an owner. Lori and Kathy explore how public relations has evolved as companies rely more on owned media, including social channels, corporate newsrooms, podcasts and video. Lori also shares practical lessons from crisis communications, including why organizations should respond quickly, communicate what they know and avoid waiting until every detail is available. The conversation becomes personal as Lori reflects on surviving Stage II breast cancer. She shares how the experience changed her priorities, strengthened her focus on health and reinforced the importance of finding small moments of joy. She also explains the idea of “don’t hog your journey,” and why sharing difficult experiences can help others facing similar challenges. The episode closes with Lori’s advice to students and young professionals: pursue internships, learn what kinds of work energize you and begin building relationships with mentors early in your career. Topics CoveredWhat makes a great brand storyStorytelling as business strategyLori’s career at KFC and Yum! BrandsBuilding trust with franchiseesModern PR and owned mediaCrisis communicationLeadership and franchisee alignmentSurviving breast cancer and finding joy“Don’t hog your journey”Internships, mentors and career development About Lori Riddle Eberenz Lori Riddle Eberenz is Director of Global Public Relations and Storytelling for Yum! Brands. Over more than a decade with Yum! Brands and KFC, she has helped lead communications during periods of innovation, growth and transformation. Previously, Lori led public relations and partnerships for KFC U.S. She is a PRWeek 40 Under 40 honoree and holds degrees from Lindsey Wilson University and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. A breast cancer survivor, Lori is passionate about helping others find joy and share the lessons from their own journeys. She lives in Louisville with her husband, Josh, and their two daughters. Click below to listen and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows. Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:Website: FranchiseU!Instagram: @franchiseu_podcastFacebook: @FranchiseU PodcastTwitter: @franchiseupodTikTok: @franchiseupod  Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn. This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.

On this episode of the FranchiseU Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Alex Nessenthaler, Franchise Owner of Magnolia Bakery in Louisville, Kentucky, about her journey from corporate retail leadership to franchise ownership.Alex spent years in the fashion industry, most recently overseeing North American retail for Tory Burch. After a career that required frequent travel, she began reconsidering what success looked like for her family. She and her husband, Patrick, moved back to Louisville to raise their two young boys, and Alex explored entrepreneurship as a way to continue building brands while creating more flexibility.After evaluating several industries, she discovered that Magnolia Bakery, a brand she already loved, was beginning to franchise. Her experience in retail operations, leadership, customer experience, and brand development helped make her a strong fit.Alex discusses becoming one of Magnolia Bakery’s earliest franchisees, including a month of hands-on training in New York across bakery operations. She explains the importance of brand standards, operational consistency, and active ownership when bringing an established brand into a new market.Recorded just one week after the Louisville location opened, the conversation also covers the realities of launching a food and beverage business, including staffing, seasonality, customer expectations, and the fast pace of daily operations.Leadership remains central to Alex’s approach. She shares her belief that “happy people make happy business” and explains how building a motivated team directly affects the customer experience.Alex also discusses the support she receives from Magnolia Bakery, the importance of the franchisor-franchisee partnership, and her plans to open three Louisville locations while exploring additional growth across Kentucky and nearby markets.For anyone considering franchise ownership or leaving a corporate career for entrepreneurship, Alex’s story offers a practical look at how leadership experience and brand-building skills can translate into business ownership.Topics Covered in This EpisodeTransitioning from corporate leadership to franchise ownershipChoosing the right franchise opportunityBecoming an early franchisee of an established brandFranchise training and maintaining brand standardsLaunching a food and beverage businessBuilding and leading a motivated teamCreating strong customer experiencesThe franchisor-franchisee relationshipBalancing entrepreneurship and family prioritiesGrowing through additional locations, catering, partnerships, and community engagementTime Stamps00:00 Redefining Success01:29 From Fashion to Tory Burch03:48 Why She Left Corporate05:01 Finding Magnolia Through Franchising07:02 Winning the Franchise08:40 Training and Quality Standards09:30 Early Franchisee Impact12:12 Product Passion and Menu13:30 Opening Day in Louisville15:01 Building a Happy Team16:02 Fast Pace of Food18:21 Support From Magnolia HQ20:42 Franchise Partnership Playbook24:05 Doubts and New Success26:08 Growth Plans and Community27:34 Lessons and Closing Thoughts

Today Dr. Kathy Gosser welcomes Abby Epperly, General Manager and co-owner of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Rock Hill in South Carolina. Abby opened the location with her father, Doug Epperly, in May 2026 and now oversees day-to-day operations while helping create a welcoming gathering place for the community. Abby’s journey began at the University of Louisville, where she became the first student to earn the undergraduate certificate in franchise management. Before taking her first franchise course, she largely associated franchising with major fast-food brands and assumed ownership was reserved for people with significant wealth. Courses in franchise fundamentals and franchise law changed that perspective and helped her see the range of industries, investment levels, and opportunities available in franchising. After graduation, Abby participated in the Disney College Program, gaining experience in hospitality, customer service, and relationship-building. She later worked in social media for her father’s packaging company before returning to an idea that had stayed with her since college: becoming a franchise owner. Abby first discovered Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii while researching franchise brands for a class. Beyond the memorable name, she connected with the company’s focus on ohana, aloha spirit, positivity, family, and community. After some persistence, she convinced her father to explore the opportunity, eventually turning the idea into a father-daughter business partnership. Abby also shares what happens after deciding to become a franchisee, including evaluating financial viability, reviewing franchise agreements, navigating real estate and lease terms, and relying on attorneys and other experts. She discusses the many relationships involved in opening and operating a franchise and the unique challenge of working with a parent while maintaining healthy boundaries between business and family. Today, Abby is focused on making the Rock Hill location more than a coffee shop. She has watched it become a gathering place for families, friends, community organizations, and local groups. Meanwhile, she and her father are already thinking bigger. Their development agreement includes at least three Bad Ass Coffee locations in York County, with the possibility of eventually owning multiple brands. Abby also explains why she believes franchising should be taught in universities. With opportunities spanning restaurants, professional services, childcare, pet care, home services, and many other industries, franchising can introduce students to careers and paths to business ownership they may never have considered. Her advice to future franchisees is simple: the franchisor can provide the systems and the playbook, but success still depends on what the franchisee does with it. In This EpisodeHow franchise education changed Abby’s view of entrepreneurshipLessons from Disney she applies to hospitality and leadershipWhy Abby chose Bad Ass Coffee of HawaiiWhat aspiring franchisees should know about due diligenceCreating a true community gathering placeWhy Abby believes universities should teach franchisingAdvice for students and future franchise owners Make sure to subscribe to FranchiseU! on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows. Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:Website: FranchiseU!Instagram: @franchiseu_podcastFacebook: @FranchiseU PodcastTwitter: @franchiseupodTikTok: @franchiseupod Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn. This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.