Franchise Fit Podcast

Hosted by Lance Graulich

Business Entrepreneurship Investing Education

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Episodes

285

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Franchise Fit Podcast, formerly known as Eye On Franchising! Same powerful stories — new name and focus. We help you find the right franchise fit so you can build wealth, freedom, and legacy through business ownership....I am your host - Lance Graulich ! I have spent over 30 years in the franchise industry... I am a Franchise broker. I have been a multi-unit, multi-brand franchisee, president of franchise advisory Councils, and I have even created my own brands and sold them. Are you one of the many people that want to be your own boss? If you are, then You are in the right place! We are your tour guide on the road to business ownership. Our services are absolutely FREE. Whether you are a 1st time boss or a serial entrepreneur, we can help you find your perfect franchise! Each week we will speak to fascinating folks from the world of franchising. Founders, funders and franchisees will share their journey to franchise success. Franchise tips will be revealed, Myths debunked, Real stories and fun facts will be shared. We have many franchise finance partners from which you can choose, or perhaps you are an independent business owner looking to grow & scale your business by setting up a franchise. Either way, our team can help you! Whether you were born an entrepreneur or you are willing to learn to become one, you are in the right place. Please like, share, and subscribe!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 11, 202626 min

Wet Fuel Franchise Founder Cory Albertson on the Diesel Gold Rush

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich sits down with Cory Albertson, co-founder of Wet Fuel, a mobile diesel fuel delivery franchise built around B2B recurring revenue, fleet fueling, proprietary trucks, and a small-staff operating model. Cory shares how Wet Fuel started, why America runs on diesel, and how construction companies, fleet operators, generators, and commercial businesses can save time, labor, and money by having fuel delivered directly to their vehicles and equipment. If you are looking for a franchise opportunity with no brick-and-mortar location, business-to-business customers, recurring revenue, and a first-mover advantage in mobile diesel delivery, this episode is a must-watch.

June 4, 202627 min

Tony Hulbert Reveals Why HorsePower Brands Is Winning Home Services

Lance Graulich sits down with Tony Hulbert, CEO of HorsePower Brands, to talk about why home service franchises continue to be one of the strongest categories in franchising. Tony breaks down the difference between buying an existing business and investing in a franchise, why culture matters in franchise ownership, how HorsePower Brands supports first-time business owners, and how AI is changing call centers, sales coaching, customer service, and lead generation.

May 28, 202633 min

Art Coley of CGI Franchise on Data, Funnels & Franchise Growth

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich sits down with Art Coley of CGI Franchise at the International Franchise Association show in Las Vegas to discuss what is changing in franchise development in 2026. Art shares how franchisors can build stronger sales funnels, why organic lead generation matters, and why many brands do not have a lead problem — they have an appointment-setting and sales process problem. They also break down the Recruitment Operating System, the importance of data analytics, outbound prospecting, and why franchise development teams need better systems instead of chasing shortcuts.

May 21, 202621 min

Kristen Denzer, Founder of Tierra Encantada Franchise - Why This Is Not Your Typical Daycare

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich sits down at the International Franchise Association in Las Vegas with Kristen Denzer, Founder and CEO of Tierra Encantada, one of the fastest-growing childcare franchise brands in the early education space. Kristen shares how Tierra Encantada is redefining traditional daycare through Spanish immersion, a global meal program, full-time teacher career paths, and a strong recurring revenue model. With 13 corporate locations, multiple states, and impressive Item 19 performance, Tierra Encantada offers a powerful look at why childcare franchises continue to attract serious franchise candidates.

May 14, 202621 min

Inside Franchise FastLane with Don Tarinelli: Fit, Validation & Growth

In this episode of Franchise Fit, Lance Graulich sits down with Don Tarinelli, Chief Development Officer of Franchise Fastlane, during IFA Week in Las Vegas. Don shares what makes someone a strong franchise candidate, why “too entrepreneurial” can actually be a red flag, the importance of franchise validation, and what first-time business owners need to know before investing in a franchise. They also discuss Franchise Fastlane, Carpool, semi-absentee ownership, franchise resales, acquisitions, and how to choose a brand that fits your actual skill set.

May 7, 202622 min

32 Years Owning Capriotti's & Great American Cookies Franchises with Michael Solomon

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich sits down in Las Vegas during International Franchise Association Week with longtime franchisee Michael Solomon, a 32-year franchise owner with experience in Great American Cookies and Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Michael shares what he has learned from decades in franchising, including how to build strong teams, why franchise systems outperform many mom-and-pop businesses, what first-time franchise buyers need to know, and the biggest mistakes franchisees make when they put dollars over people. This episode is sponsored by SeoSamba — empowering franchises with predictable results and AI-driven marketing.

April 30, 202630 min

Franchise vs Acquisition: Dan Claps on Building Wealth Faster

At the International Franchise Association Show in Las Vegas, Lance Graulich sits down with Dan Claps, CEO of Voda Cleaning & Restoration and founder of Franchise Playbook, shares how Voda almost went out of business in the beginning, what changed when the team started listening to franchise candidates, and how the brand grew to 110 franchise owners and roughly 300 locations.

April 23, 202624 min

Crazy Pita Founder Mehdi Shares His Success Formula

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich sits down with Medhi of Crazy Pita to talk about building a restaurant brand for 20 years and expanding it through franchising, Walmart locations, virtual brands, AI systems, and new city growth. They break down what makes Crazy Pita different, how the brand maintains consistency, what Medhi looks for in franchisees, and why innovation is critical in today’s food business. They also cover shared-kitchen concepts like Salad Madness and Chicken Genius, the power of community connection, restaurant hiring, and what first-time business owners need to know before jumping into a franchise or starting from scratch.

April 16, 202621 min

Franchise Marketing Secrets: Why Trust Can't Be Automated | Chantel Soumis

At the International Franchise Association, I sat down with fractional CMO Chantel Soumis to talk about what’s really working in franchise marketing today. We cover how AI is changing digital marketing, why trust matters more than ever, and why brands can’t rely too heavily on automation. Chantel explains why personal branding, local community marketing, better targeting, and strong operations are still the biggest drivers of results. We also discuss common marketing mistakes franchisors make, how to audit vendors properly, and why franchisees need to feel heard, seen, and supported.

April 9, 202626 min

Plumbing Franchise Profits Revealed | Matt O’Rourke of Z PLUMBERZ | BELFOR Franchise Group

In this episode of the Franchise Fit Podcast, Lance Graulich interviews Matt O’Rourke of Belfor Franchise Group at IFA Las Vegas to break down the opportunity in plumbing franchises and home services. They discuss Matt’s journey from nursing school to plumbing entrepreneur, plus why Belfor and Z PLUMBERS stand out for first-time franchise owners.