Franchise QB

Hosted by Mike Halpern

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Franchise QB podcast where we empower entrepreneurs to WIN BIG in franchising. Hosted by Mike Halpern, a 20-year franchising veteran and entrepreneur, we huddle up weekly to educate our audience about the most successful small business model ever created: Franchising. Our mission is for listeners to achieve their American Dreams as new franchise owners. Let’s get started!

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60 recent

October 21, 202622 min

Episode 144: $532B Beauty Market Secret Investors Miss | Head to Toe Brands Franchise: Meg Roberts

Unlock the massive growth potential of the $532 billion beauty industry with Head to Toe Brands! In this episode of Franchise QB, host Mike Halpern interviews Meg Roberts, CEO of Head to Toe Brands and former president of Molly Maid and The Lash Lounge. Meg reveals why hair extensions and unpretentious hair salons are taking over the franchise landscape through two standout concepts: Delta Crown and Bishops. Discover how Delta Crown leverages a membership-based, recurring revenue model in a compact 1,000 sq. ft. footprint, and see how Bishops fills the profitable void between budget hair salons and luxury studios. Plus, Meg shares executive insights on the advantages of private equity backing for emerging franchise systems. Extract: "What we saw for consumers is that Delta Crown can deliver a very clear expectation of what you're getting in terms of quality, training, installation, and pricing... We're very different than traditional hair salons—it's a membership model fully dedicated to hair extensions. Our first studio was doing a million dollars in just three and a half days a week, and we're excited about where this model is headed." — Meg Roberts, CEO Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

October 14, 202621 min

Episode 143: Metal Supermarkets Franchise Review: The $2.19M Franchise Hiding in Plain Sight

Discover how Metal Supermarkets generates an impressive $2.19M Average Unit Volume (AUV) with a simple, high-margin B2B business model! In this episode of Franchise QB, host Mike Halpern sits down with Adria Hartwig, Chief Development Officer at Metal Supermarkets, to uncover why this 40-year legacy brand is one of the best-kept secrets in franchising. If you are looking for a high-performing franchise opportunity that operates on standard B2B "bankers hours" (no nights or weekends), offers strong margins, and caters to high-demand business customers, this interview is a must-watch. Episode Highlight : "We are essentially the convenience store for metal... a lot of B2B metal users need small-quantity metal cut to size, and you can't get that at Home Depot. We solve a major pain point for metal-consuming businesses so they can get what they need, get back to work, and not lose precious time or money. Plus, we offer a royalty incentive during your first year to partner in your profitability." — Adria Hartwig, CDO Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

October 7, 202621 min

Episode 142: #1 Mistake Killing Your Business Valuation | How to Scale Your Business | Steven Pivnik

Want to know how to build a scalable franchise or business that commands a top-tier exit valuation? Bestselling author, CEO, and Acresis founding advisor Steven Pivnik reveals the exact framework to reduce founder dependency and maximize your payout. Episode Overview & Highlight Extract In this episode of The Franchise QB Podcast, host Mike Halpern sits down with Steven Pivnik—operating partner at Acresis, Iron Man finisher, and Everest mountaineer—to unpack what it takes to build a company to sell. Steven shares how he scaled his own business to 200 employees across 12 countries before selling to a $4B competitor, and how he now guides founders through strategic exits, leadership structuring, and enterprise value acceleration. "If the business is 90% founder dependent, it's worth X. Move that to 20% founder dependent, and this business is now worth 40% more... removing yourself immediately removes one of the biggest valuation killers." — Steven Pivnik, Operating Partner at Acresis Guest Website: Acresis Guest Book: Built to Finish on Amazon Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

September 30, 2026Episode 14131 min

Episode 141: Solving Gaps and Building Community in the Salon Suite Industry

Discover how Image Studios CEO Jason Olsen transformed salon suite franchising and why franchise investors are building scalable, semi-absentee empires in the beauty industry. Learn the exact process discipline and investment strategy required to expand into multi-unit franchise ownership. Episode Overview & Highlight Extract In this episode of The Franchise QB Podcast, host Mike Halpern sits down with Jason Olsen, Founder & CEO at Image Studios Franchise. Jason breaks down his entrepreneurial journey starting at age 16, transitioning out of the automotive dealership space, and building a national salon suite franchise platform with over 150 locations open and 200+ in development. They also discuss the creation of parent company Gorgeous Collective, the financial requirements (Item 7 & Item 19), and how franchise owners scale their portfolios. "If the fear of staying put is bigger than the fear of starting a business, that’s when people move forward. Fear is a normal emotion when you're looking at starting a business... lean into that because there's something new here you're going to learn." — Jason Olsen, Founder & CEO at Image Studios Key Takeaways Recession-Proof Model: How the beauty and salon suite sector offers stability compared to traditional retail or automotive industries. Diverse Tenant Base: Why designing suites for non-hair spa professionals (aestheticians, injectors, lash artists) drives lower turnover and stronger community culture. Essential Owner Traits: Success in salon suite franchising relies heavily on process discipline and strong soft skills/community leadership rather than direct sales. Investment Dynamics: Understanding Item 7 initial investment ranges ($770K - $1.7M) and how Landlord Tenant Improvement (TI) allowances significantly reduce net startup costs. Incubation Platform: How parent brand Gorgeous Collective uses salon suite footprints to accelerate go-to-market strategies for emerging beauty concepts. Resource Links Guest Website: Image Studios Franchise Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

September 23, 202620 min

Episode 140: Doctors & Lawyers Are Flocking To The Modern Halo | Franchise: High ROI Beauty Business

Looking for a high-volume, recurring revenue beauty franchise? Join host Mike Halpern as he speaks with Christina Batson, Founder & CEO of The Modern Halo, about the booming head spa and personal care market. Episode Overview & Highlight Extract In this episode of The Franchise QB Podcast, Mike Halpern uncovers how Christina Batson—a registered nurse, multi-unit franchisee, and home health entrepreneur—co-founded The Modern Halo with her sisters to professionalize the viral head spa experience. Learn how this boutique, 1,200 sq. ft. model generates strong unit economics, attracts non-traditional clientele, and leverages subscription memberships for long-term growth. "People were driving two hours from Beaumont, Texas, from San Antonio, Austin... and they all said, 'I wish you were next to me.' That’s really what gave us that lightbulb moment... This is the new wave of self-care and wellness that is missing." — Christina Batson, CEO of The Modern Halo Learn more about the franchisor featured in this episode: The Modern Halo Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

September 16, 2026Episode 13920 min

Episode 139: Build a $500K Auto Franchise With Rivali Paint Protection: High Ticket Auto Detailing

Looking to invest in an automotive franchise with high-ticket services? Host Mike Halpern sits down with Brett de Coster, Founder and CEO of Rivali Paint Protection, to break down how to launch a scalable auto detailing and PPF business. Episode Overview & Highlight Extract In this episode of The Franchise QB Podcast, Mike Halpern analyzes the growing market for paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coatings, and window tinting. Brett shares how changing auto industry standards—like fragile, water-based paint on electric vehicles—have created a massive, sticky customer demand. "Water-based paint is now industry standard, so every single car is having fragile paint and needs to be protected... We're seeing a big shift as cars are becoming more expensive in general and people are wanting to hang on to them a lot longer." — Brett de Coster, CEO of Rivali Paint Protection Learn about startup costs, territory sizing, in-house marketing systems, and B2B affiliate strategies designed to keep franchisee funnels full. https://www.rivalipaintprotection.com/ Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

September 9, 2026Episode 13813 min

Episode 138: Why Restaurant Managers Lose 70% of Staff | AI Tools for Gen Z Franchise Hiring

Struggling with restaurant turnover and ghosted interviews? Swob co-founder Stephanie Florio reveals how AI-driven, mobile-first hiring slashes labor friction and keeps Gen Z employees engaged. Highlights High turnover—often exceeding 70%—and tedious paper applications are destroying operational efficiency in the restaurant industry. In Episode 138 of The Franchise QB Podcast, host Mike Halpern sits down with Stephanie Florio, co-founder of Swob, to discuss how tech-driven solutions are disrupting traditional hourly recruitment. Discover why 63% of applicants drop off during long processes and how "Tinder-style" swiping combined with AI HR agents like "Emma" can automate screening, job postings, and interview scheduling. Learn how franchise owners can save hours of administrative work, prioritize culture over resume padding, and leverage 24-hour speed-to-contact via text messaging to recruit top-tier talent before competitors do. "Gen Z expect fast, easy, simple, mobile-first applications. If you're waiting a week to reply to a candidate, they've already moved on. Speed wins all." — Stephanie Florio, Co-Founder of Swob Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Stephanie Florio, Co-Founder of Swob 00:58 - The Inspiration: "Tinder for Hourly Jobs" 01:59 - Solving the 70% Restaurant Turnover Problem 03:17 - How Gen Z Thinks: Why Paper Applications Fail 05:06 - Speed to Contact: The 24-Hour Rule & Texting Candidates 06:43 - Meet "Emma": How AI Agents Handle Recruitment Tasks 08:14 - Quality vs. Quantity: Filtering the Top 5 Applicants 09:01 - AI Misconceptions: Taking Jobs vs. Freeing Up Managers 10:45 - Hiring for Behavior Over Skill in Franchise Operations 12:32 - Final Takeaways for Restaurant Franchise Owners #FranchiseQB #RestaurantHiring #GenZWorkforce #FranchiseOpportunities #AIInBusiness Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

September 2, 2026Episode 13716 min

Episode 137: Why 90% of Franchise Owners Fail | Building a 7-Figure Mobile Fitness Business

Want to own a high-margin fitness business without the brick-and-mortar overhead? GYMGUYZ founder Josh York reveals how he built a world-wide mobile gym empire and what it takes to scale to 7 figures. Highlights Traditional gym franchises suffer from high real estate costs and low margins. In Episode 137 of The Franchise QB Podcast, host Mike Halpern sits down with Josh York, founder of GYMGUYZ, to break down the mobile fitness franchise model. Discover how GYMGUYZ delivers personalized workouts directly to homes, offices, and corporations using fully equipped vans. Josh shares raw insights on franchisee selection, overcoming business failure, building a "never quit" mindset, and scaling a low-cost, high-margin business from scratch. "Gyms have high expenses, low margins. We have high margins, low expenses... We're the rebellion against it. We literally bring the workout to you." — Josh York, Founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ Chapters 00:00 - The Birth of GYMGUYZ: Starting in a Dining Room 01:52 - Learning Franchising at 13 Years Old 02:43 - #1 Mistake Early Franchisors Make 03:34 - Brick-and-Mortar Gyms vs. Mobile Fitness Model 04:57 - Maintaining Quality Control Across Hundreds of Units 05:59 - The Mindset Needed to Avoid Business Failure 07:20 - Franchise Support: Marketing, Hiring, & Systems 08:42 - Life-Changing Client & Franchise Owner Stories 10:00 - Who Is the Ideal GYMGUYZ Franchise Owner? 12:33 - The 5-Year Vision for GYMGUYZ 13:10 - Investment Costs & Item 19 Financial Breakdown 14:37 - Final Advice for Prospective Entrepreneurs #FranchiseOpportunities #FitnessFranchise #GYMGUYZ #FranchiseQB #Entrepreneurship Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

August 26, 2026Episode 13621 min

Episode 136: How to Build Recurring Revenue with Hand in Stone (63-Unit Secret)

Looking to invest in a high-growth wellness franchise? Hand in Stone Franchise VP Kristie Kalinowski breaks down how to build recurring revenue, scale multi-unit locations, and tap into the $60B+ spa industry without needing prior wellness experience. Highlights "Self-care isn't optional anymore, it's required... Our membership model creates that recurring revenue and cash flow that our owners can count on. We have 20 years of consecutive growth in the category and 650+ locations strong." — Kristie Kalinowski, VP of Franchise Development Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Kristie Kalinowski 01:20 - From Operations to Franchise Development 03:05 - Why Hand in Stone Has Thrived for 20+ Years 04:07 - The Explosion of the Wellness & Personal Care Category 05:12 - Differentiating Hand in Stone from Competitors 07:31 - How the Membership Model Generates Recurring Revenue 09:05 - Unlocking Multiple Streams of Income (Retail, Upgrades, Gift Cards) 10:14 - Ideal Franchise Owner Profile: Do You Need Spa Experience? 11:54 - White-Glove Support: Site Selection to Opening Day 14:37 - Real Owner Success: How One Owner Scaled to 63 Units 16:05 - Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Hand in Stone 19:27 - Startup Costs & Item 19 Financial Breakdown #FranchiseOpportunities #WellnessFranchise #HandInStone #FranchiseQB #PassiveIncome Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com

August 19, 2026Episode 13536 min

Episode 135: Why Most Plans Fail : Franchise Leadership : Military Systems to Scale Your Business

How do top franchise investors build multi-million-dollar teams? In this episode, host Mike Halpern sits down with Chris Hallberg—founder of GoExpand, Business Sargent, and the first EOS Implementer in Colorado, to reveal how military-grade leadership and operating systems can supercharge franchise growth. Learn how to fix accountability issues, hire elite talent, and scale your business using proven systems like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Highlight Mike Halpern: "In your view, what separates organizations that execute well from those that struggle to turn plans into results?" Chris Hallberg: "A plan that has never been shared is not a plan. A plan that you don't allow people to push back on, not a real plan. A plan that everyone doesn't fully understand and opt 100% into or 100% out of also will not work... When you get a group of people that are crazy in the head about this particular result, okay, these guys got a shot." Free Resource for Franchise QB Listeners: The Franchise QB Playbook will guide you through the process of finding your perfect franchise fit. Free Franchise Doc: 👉https://www.franchiseqb.com/playbook #franchiseownership #FranchiseOpportunities #OwnABusiness #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseQB Contact me and my team with any questions along the way. www.calendly.com/franchiseguy Mike Halpern, CAFC mike@franchiseqb.com