Co-hosted by the dynamic duo Ryan Hicks & Zack Fishman, Modrn Business is an award-winning, interview-style podcast that spotlights franchising's brightest executives. Follow along each week as we uncover franchising's top technology trends, the hottest franchise industries to invest in, ways to improve your own franchise business and how to potentially become a franchisee.
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June 3, 202557 min
Springboard 2025 Keynote Preview with Adam Contos, Partner of Area 15 Ventures
In this episode, Zack chats with Adam Contos, Partner of Area 15 Ventures and former CEO of RE/MAX on theory of everything. Between his background, his business philosophies, his perspective on the real estate market, his investment thesis at Area 15 Ventures and what he has learned from his mentor, RE/MAX Co-Founder Dave Liniger, there was lots to discuss! Don’t miss this sneak preview of Springboard 2025’s electrifying keynote speaker.
April 24, 202548 min
Behind The Numbers: A Q1 2025 Temperature Check With FranData
In this MB episode, Zack checks in with franchising’s resident brainiacs, Edith Wiseman and Alicia Miller from FranData. We discuss how the perception of resales are changing, standardizing credit fund scoring to decrease risk for franchisees, how franchisors are using technology to become more “asset-light”, is the “low-investment” rush here to stay and much more!
April 22, 202546 min
Building Enterprise Value Through Operations with Ali McElroy
In this episode, Zack chats with Kaleidoscope Growth Advisors’ Ali McElroy about all things operations. We discuss pitfalls in growing a brand early, her recommended first hire for a young franchisor, the industries she believes give highest likelihood of “sustainable growth” and her methodology to building enterprise value.
March 28, 202556 min
Franchise Trends and Headlines - April 2025: with Ryan Hicks & Zack Fishman
In this episode Zack Fishman and Ryan Hicks break down a list of their top thoughts and six topics here in the month of April:
1) The Top Learnings From UnConference: Game-Changing Insights on Value Creation & Growth. Featuring David Barr (Franchise Investor, Chairman of PMTD Restaurants, and former IFA Chairman) and Chris Dull (CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard).
2) Sneak Peak: YoungCon Agenda Is Here! A quick thumbnail on what the event entails. Register here: https://franchiseyoungconference.com/
3) Is Franchise M&A Heating Up? An industry update from Zack Fishman.
4) An Emerging Service Brand Growth Story. A great example for emerging and regional franchisors.
5) Zack’s Advice On PR In 2025. As an expert on the topic he brings practical insights on PR for franchise organizations in the modern age.
6) Technology Corner: A discussion around 4 topical technologies to stay up to date on what's possible in todays fast pace world of technology advancements.
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February 24, 20251 hr 0 min
Franchise Trends & Headlines: February 2025 (PLUS IFA Convention Recap)
Join Ryan Hicks and Zack Fishman as they host Jamie Adams, Chief Revenue Officer of Scorpion, and Ryan Combe, Managing Partner of Cornerstone Franchise Partners.
In this episode we dive into the latest chatter from the IFA convention and share behind‑the‑scenes insights on franchising trends, technology decisions, and the power of networking. From debating whether to build or buy tech to discussing economic forecasts and mentorship initiatives, this episode delivers a dynamic conversation peppered with franchise success stories and personal anecdotes that reveal the heartbeat of the industry.
Episode Outline:
1) Intro & Sponsor Shout-Out: Candidate view is an innovative new way to streamline your hiring process and focus only on the best talent with one way video prescreening. Candidates respond on their own time so your franchisees can save their time.
No more scheduling headaches, no more wasted interviews, just faster, smarter hiring. Join top franchise organizations already saving time, energy, and money with CandidateView. Visit CandidateView.
2) IFA Convention Recap: Insights on the event’s energy, networking moments, and feedback on session formats.
3) Tech & Transaction Talk: Debates on building vs. buying proprietary technology and the impact on franchise value.
4) Economic Outlook & Industry Trends: Discussion of franchise growth statistics, employment increases, and GDP impact.
5) Anecdotes & Success Stories: Stories from the NFL to Hardee’s, illustrating how small moves can lead to generational wealth.
6) Mentorship & Community Focus: Ideas on establishing mentorship programs to support franchise success and sustainability.
7) Closing Thoughts & Connect: Final reflections and a call-to-action to join the conversation on LinkedIn and subscribe to the newsletter.
February 5, 202541 min
On The Bleeding Edge: A Look Back & Forward At Franchising's Early-Stage Brands with Brian Luciani, SMB Advisors
In this Modrn Business episode, Zack chats with one of franchising’s foremost experts on early-stage franchisors, Brian Luciani of SMB Franchise Advisors & Stadium Ventures. We talk about venture capital’s increased prominence with franchisors, start-up category trends from 2024, what we’ll be seeing in 2025 and how the new Trump administration will dictate the types of brands we see start franchising in the years to come.
February 2, 202543 min
How This FranDev Technology Has Disrupted The Way Franchisors Use Meta
In this MB conversation, Ryan hosts the co-founders of Sales Chatz, a franchise development advertising technology that has disrupted the way franchisors use Meta advertising to attract franchise candidates.
January 31, 202550 min
The Secret Sauce On Building A Brand MUMBOs Can't Resist With Dan Rowe, CEO & Founder of Fransmart
In this episode, Zack sits down with CEO & Founder of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, to talk all things franchise sales. We get into his humble beginnings, what industries within franchising he has historically gravitated to, his opinions on how to build enterprise value through franchise sales, his secrets to sourcing MUMBOs leads (hint, it’s not easy to replicate) and his outlook on how franchise sales will change in this decade.
January 28, 20251 hr 31 min
2024 Reflections and 2025 Trends in Franchising
In this episode, Ryan Hicks and Zack Fishman bring on guests Jamie Adams, (Chief Revenue Officer of Scorpion) and Ryan Combe (Managing Partner of Cornerstone Franchise Partners) to reflect on key winners and trends in the franchise landscape in 2024, and make predictions for 2025.
We also explore significant leadership changes, lessons learned in 2024, and contrarian beliefs for the future of franchising, emphasizing the importance of franchisee profitability and the potential for franchising to grow as a percentage of GDP.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:12 - Reflections on 2024: Winners and Trends
05:58 - The Role of Institutional Investors in Franchising
08:53 - The Rise of Franchise Sales Organizations
12:06 - Predictions for 2025: Key Players and Trends
14:57 - Breakout Brands of 2024 and 2025
18:11 - Bold Moves and Disruptors in Franchising
21:06 - The Future of Health and Wellness Franchises
45:03 - Chick-fil-A's Bold Business Moves
51:10 - The Rise of Limited Service Restaurants (LSR)
57:54 - Innovations Shaping the Future of Food Service
01:09:32 - Leadership Changes and Their Impact
01:12:46 - Lessons Learned in 2024
01:17:00 - Contrarian Beliefs for 2025
January 23, 202548 min
Home Service, Franchise Tech & PE with Serviceminder
In MB’s first episode of 2025, Zack is joined by Serviceminder’s new CEO, Berkley Simmons and their Founder & CTO, John Keene, to talk all things PE within home service. We discuss how technology plays a role in reaching your next stage of growth, predictions for how franchise technology will play a role in this second phase of PE investment, the right time to roll out a robust technology such as Serviceminder and the importance of recognizing franchising’s uniqueness vs. other business models.
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