On today's show, Franchise Interviews is meeting with Ambiance Radio to discuss how they are revolutionizing the franchise industry by providing the right music. By combining science, technology, and hospitality industry expertise, Ambiance Radio addresses a crucial element for enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting revenues in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and spas: the perfect music.

Founded and led by Bradley Newberger, a young entrepreneur in the hospitality industry, Ambiance Radio is the only background music service specifically designed for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and spas. Bradley will explain how Ambiance Radio uses proprietary software and cutting-edge technology to deliver fully customized music feeds tailored to each site's specific business objectives. This customization takes into account demographics, psychographics, and traffic volumes, adjusting the music day-by-day and hour-by-hour.

We are meeting with Joe Soltis, the Founder and CEO of ChoiceLocal, a digital marketing firm specializing in marketing franchise systems. At the time of this podcast, ChoiceLocal's clients see an average return of $15.51 for every $1.00 invested in marketing, with some generating over $15.54 in new revenue per dollar invested. They consistently deliver superior business results, with clients experiencing, on average, 363% faster revenue growth compared to working with other agencies. Joe leads ChoiceLocal, which funds the Benjamin Isaac Foundation, a non-profit focused on helping children in need.

Every business has a story.

ChoiceLocal's mission is to help others. It began as a one-person company and has grown to over 65 employees, adding 2-3 new people per month. It is a two-time winner of the NorthCoast99’s Best Place to Work award, boasts an annual client retention rate of 94%, and has a net promoter score higher than companies like Apple, Amazon, and Trader Joe’s.

In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

This episode is one of our earliest from our time at WorldTalkRadio. We'll be discussing how to prepare for a franchise business loan with Comerica Bank, the nation's leading small business lender. Our guest, James Stolt, VP of the Small Business Administration Lending division at Comerica Bank, will explain the lending program and provide tips on preparing for a successful loan application. 

Based in Raleigh, NC, Diamond Financial was established to address a significant gap in the national financing market. Research indicates that, within a single year, over 21 million small business loan applications were submitted to local banks, yet only 4 million were approved. DFS recognized that many qualified individuals struggled to find interested financial institutions, properly package their loan applications, or effectively justify their needs to bank officers, leading to an 84% rejection rate due solely to poor presentation. President Stephen Mariani, who has been involved in small business since 1978 and has personally owned many, founded this company with a focus on business owners. His extensive experience in finding financial solutions is the foundation of Diamond Financial, and his commitment to honesty and integrity is evident from your first interaction with his organization. The company is devoted to supporting small businesses in America and dedicated to their success. 

DTT Surveillance Interview with Franchise Experts

In one of our early historic shows from the WorldTalkRadio days, we explored the impact of surveillance technology in the franchise industry. If you've visited a McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, or similar franchises, you've likely been monitored by DTT's security cameras and software. We interviewed Sam Naficy, the CEO and founder of DTT Surveillance, the leading video surveillance provider for 20,000 restaurants across the U.S., including McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, and more.

Through his journey in establishing the top surveillance provider for the restaurant industry, Sam Naficy has developed deep insights into the unique challenges faced by owners of multiple franchise locations. His expertise is in assisting franchisees and small business owners in reducing theft and increasing profits. For businesses with slim profit margins spread across various locations, issues like theft, shrinkage, and worker productivity can significantly impact the bottom line. Additionally, DTT's solutions help reduce insurance and liability costs and resolve legal issues.

We will be discussing franchising with Hossein Kasmai, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Franchise Creator. Mr. Kasmai has created several franchise concepts, including Guard-A-Kid. Founded in 2005, Guard-A-Kid rapidly became the industry leader and a highly successful franchise in the field of children and family safety.

Mr. Kasmai offers advice to aspiring franchisors and franchisees. Franchise Creator provides a comprehensive approach to franchise development.

We are meeting with Keith Gerson, President of Global Operations at FranConnect. What is FranConnect? It is a leading provider of Franchise Management Systems, with over several hundred brands utilizing its comprehensive solutions to create, grow, and manage their franchise operations.

FranConnect offers an integrated suite of applications that enable franchisors to oversee all aspects of their business, including Franchise Sales, Marketing, Financial Data Collection and Analysis, Royalty Invoicing and Automated Funds Transfer, Contract and Legal Document Management, Customer Relationship Management, Help Desk, Franchisee Support, Online Training, Supply Management, Automated Ad-Builder, Email Marketing, Franchisee Websites, ZIP Code Locator Service, and integration with QuickBooks, Peachtree, and POS systems.

In part 2, we speak with franchise expert Karol Mercurio on our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs tune into Franchise Interviews for tips on buying a franchise. Today, we are speaking with Craig Slavin, a 50-year veteran of the franchising industry. Slavin has been involved in all aspects of franchising, from concept creation and refinement to management and national/international growth. He also served as the former CEO and President of Giordano's Famous Stuffed Pizza.

Slavin has not only led major franchise organizations to success but has also helped hundreds of franchises reposition their concepts, streamline operations, and grow their businesses. His experience with poor choices and wasted time in the industry led him to create ConnectMe, a free online survey that guides prospective franchise owners to the right franchise for them.

FRANdata Releases Franchise Compensation Report (ARLINGTON, Va.) - Today, FRANdata President and CEO Darrell Johnson announced the release of the "Franchise Compensation Report for 2011," coinciding with the expected rise in hiring decisions for 2011. This year's report is the most comprehensive and representative since FRANdata began tracking franchise compensation three years ago. It features data from 169 different franchise brands, gathered from two surveys conducted over the past fifteen months, and includes compensation details for 30 different positions at the C-Level, Department Head, Manager, and Professional levels. Click here to view the full list of positions covered in the study. The survey was conducted by FRANdata in collaboration with AKRON Inc., a company that specializes in compensation studies.

About FRANdata: FRANdata is an independent research company that tracks and analyzes the franchise industry. Founded in 1989 and based in Arlington, Va., FRANdata maintains objectivity by not accepting advertising or other fees. It is frequently cited as an expert by leading media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.

We are scheduled to meet with John Blair, the Director of Marketing at FranNet. Renowned as North America's leading authority in connecting individuals with franchise opportunities, FranNet is headquartered in Louisville, Ky., and boasts over 100 consultants across North America and Europe. These consultants employ a proprietary profiling and consultative process to identify business models tailored to each client's unique goals, skills, and interests, successfully matching thousands of entrepreneurs with rewarding small business opportunities. For the past four years, INC. magazine has recognized FranNet as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. 

An Evening with Franchise Teacher Chris Simnick

With over 40 years of experience as an independent businessman, franchisee, and franchiser, including fifteen years of international experience in launching and supporting franchise systems in Europe and the Pacific Rim, Chris Simnick is well-versed in franchising. He knows how to establish and optimize operations to ensure a profitable business at start-up, maintain stability, or achieve growth, whether through refreshing existing concepts or expanding into new ones.

Chris founded the Synergy Franchise Group Network, which includes Synergy Franchise Group LLC and FranchiseTeacher.com. Through these organizations, Chris and his team guide clients in identifying and purchasing the right franchise based on their interests, personality, and skills. They also help clients determine if their concept is suitable for franchising, recruit and develop franchisees, and set up the necessary infrastructure and processes to operate the system effectively and profitably.

They provide consulting services to franchisers and franchisees of all sizes and industries, addressing specific issues such as developing growth strategies, conducting operational reviews and profit & loss analyses, and setting up lead generation and tracking programs. They also offer personalized one-on-one coaching to meet any need.

In Part Two, we feature a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast, which includes a segment with Chris Simnick from his first appearance on our podcast.

We have an excellent show lined up today. We'll be talking with Adam Robinson, Chief Hireologist at Hireology.

Hireology's selection management platform streamlines the hiring process for franchisees. Their award-winning Selection Manager™ offers everything an operator needs to manage hiring, including a fully-hosted career site, integrated job postings, compensation analysis, pre-hire assessments, interview guides, background checks, skills verification, and more. Franchise systems use Hireology’s web-based platform to ensure consistent and repeatable hiring decisions in the field, resulting in lower turnover and increased profitability per location.

We will be speaking with Adam Robinson, the co-founder and CEO of Hireology. Adam is a renowned expert in the recruiting industry, a speaker, and an author, with over 25 years of experience in hiring and selection management. He has worked with numerous national franchise brands across the fitness, home health, and B2B industries. He is also the author of The Best Team Wins: Build Your Business Through Predictive Hiring. 

Holly Shilliday, a Franchise Attorney will provide valuable insights on how franchise systems can navigate financial difficulties in today's challenging economic climate. She will cover strategies to prevent bankruptcy, protect franchise rights, and handle bankruptcy situations effectively. Holly's expertise includes advising lenders and franchisors in bankruptcy cases involving franchisees and their guarantors.

Ryan Cunningham, the founder and President of Javelin Solutions, joins Franchise Interviews. Before establishing Javelin Solutions, Mr. Cunningham spent two decades at the world's largest commercial real estate firm, where he held the position of Executive Vice President. 

We’re sitting down with Darren Guccione, the CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security, Inc., the company behind Keeper, the world's most downloaded password manager and digital vault. In our conversation with Darren, we’ll explore topics like security, franchising, and entrepreneurship. Click the play button below to listen to our interview with him. 

Don and Marty described this as a "must-listen" interview with Kevin Hein. Mr. Hein has authored numerous articles on franchise-related matters and has presented at various regional and national franchise conferences, including the American Bar Association Forum on Franchise Law Annual Meeting, the Franchise Finance Conference, the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference, and the Fourth Annual Restaurant Industry Mergers and Acquisitions Forum. 

In recent years, the real estate market has undergone significant changes, making it increasingly challenging for franchisees to navigate and secure the ideal location for their franchise. We’re excited to welcome Mark Block as our guest. Mark brings extensive expertise in real estate and has a remarkable talent for guiding franchisees through the complexities of the market to find prime locations.

This was one our most listened to podcasts. Chris Hurn is an entrepreneur, speaker, writer/blogger, and leader. His company, Mercantile Capital Corporation, specializes in financing commercial real estate for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the United States through the SmartChoice Commercial Loan program, also known as the SBA 504 loan. Christopher G. Hurn, the CEO of Mercantile Capital Corporation in Orlando, is the author of "The Entrepreneur's Secret to Creating Wealth: How the Smartest Business Owners Build Their Fortunes," his debut book. He also offers a special deal for entrepreneurs: purchasing two or more copies of his new book will result in all proceeds being donated to the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Priced at $19.95, the book provides Hurn's distinctive insight into wealth accumulation, derived from his experience lending money—over $424.2 million in 2012—to support small business entrepreneurs in acquiring or developing their own facilities. Hurn, who frequently appears as a small business commentator on Fox Business News, The Huffington Post, PBS, and other media outlets, asserts that he understands the mindset of small business entrepreneurs because he is one himself.  

A woman tries out a local fitness franchise but has a disappointing experience and decides not to return. Four months later, she receives a promotional message thanking her for being a loyal customer. Meanwhile, another customer receives a text that reads, "We've missed you! Recommit to your fitness plan and enjoy a 10 percent discount on personal training." The issue is that this customer is an active member who has been visiting the franchise three times a week for the past six months.

What went wrong? Both of these "marketing failures" wasted the franchisee's local marketing budget, harmed the relationship with a loyal customer, and exacerbated the frustration of an unhappy one.

We are set to meet with Mark Montini from m2M. m2M specializes in automated marketing solutions that leverage data from CRM and POS systems to craft effective local marketing campaigns for franchisees. Their automated and measurable marketing solutions come with a unique level of personalized service, ensuring campaigns are both efficient and effective.

In part two, we will continue our discussion with Marty McDermott from New York radio, alongside the Marketing Doctor, Dr. John Tantillo. Click the play button below to listen to the show. 

Nancy and Marty Discuss almost everything on this show from customer service, LinkedIn and business. 

Nancy Friedman, Founder of Telephone Doctor: Nancy is a leading expert in customer service training, frequently featured by major media outlets like Oprah, CNN, and Franchise Interviews, The Wall Street Journal. Moreover, Nancy has been voted one of America's Favorite Speakers.

ServiceSkills.com: Her organization offers an eLearning platform with over 100 online training modules covering various aspects of customer service, sales, and management.

Author and Keynote Speaker: Nancy has written nine books and delivers high-energy keynote presentations that inspire and motivate audiences with practical tips and techniques.

Focus on Millennials: In her discussions, Nancy addresses perceptions of Millennials in customer service, sharing insights from her experiences at industry conferences.

Interview Format: The podcast features a conversation about the "4 Cs of communication" (Covid, Civility, Culture, and Customers) and includes a segment with questions reminiscent of James Lipton’s interview style.

We’re meeting with Nellie Akalp, the CEO and co-founder of CorpNet.com, a trusted provider of business incorporation, LLC formation, and corporate compliance services. Nellie entered the industry in 1997, when she and her husband launched their first company with only $100, eventually selling it to Intuit in 2005 for $20 million. CorpNet now offers a partner program that enables entrepreneurs to white-label startup and compliance filings. Through this program, Nellie has collaborated with numerous franchisors and franchisees to establish corporations, LLCs, and maintain compliance, helping businesses remain in good standing. In Part Two, we share a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. 

We’re sitting down with Tab Burkhalter, Founder and CEO of Numbers House. His firm specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through the legal steps of starting a business while also handling essential back-office functions like bookkeeping and payroll. As a licensed CPA, Tab brings expert knowledge on business matters specific to the home services industry. His company ensures that business structures are optimized for tax benefits and supports owners with comprehensive payroll and bookkeeping services.

In this episode, Tab will cover:

• Common tax deductions often missed by franchise owners

• Weighing the pros and cons of borrowing from a 401k to start a franchise

• Financial and tax considerations when opening a second franchise location

• Exit strategies tailored for franchise owners

In Part Two, we’ll share a clip from our highly-regarded Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

In today’s podcast, we’re joined by Candice Caruso, President of Pango Financial. Whether you’re running an established business or launching a new start-up, Pango Financial provides a comprehensive suite of innovative funding solutions designed to give your business the boost it needs. Their diverse financing options can be used individually or combined to create a customized plan that aligns with your short- and long-term goals. As the only provider to integrate cutting-edge technology into a seamless online experience, Pango Financial delivers exceptional service, enhanced by the expertise of client specialists during both the setup and maintenance phases. Candice also shares insights into the DreamSpark plan, highlighting what makes it a standout option in the industry.