FranchiseU!
by Dr. Kathy Gosser, Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville
Latest episode
What McDonald's and Blimpie Teach Us About Building Successful…
What McDonald's and Blimpie Teach Us About Building Successful…
About this podcast
FranchiseU! is your inside track to the franchise world—whether you’re a franchisee, franchisor, investor, entrepreneur, corporate exec, or just franchise-curious. Hosted by Dr. Kathy Gosser, a leading voice in franchise education, the podcast features insightful interviews with industry pros and rising stars, from franchise owners to C-suite leaders, support specialists, scholars, and students.
Each episode dives into real stories, lessons learned, and strategies that shape the franchise industry. Dr. Gosser brings her expertise and energy to every conversation, unpacking key takeaways and offering personal insights that connect the dots between theory and practice. It’s part conversation, part classroom, and all about helping you understand and thrive in franchising.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 144 episodes
- What McDonald's and Blimpie Teach Us About Building Successful Franchises: Lessons in Franchise Leadership with Jay Bandy · 22 minWhat does it take to grow a restaurant franchise from 100 locations to 2,000? And why did it take McDonald's up to a year to gain franchisee support for McCafé in some markets?…
- Who Makes a Great Franchisee? Felipe Martinez on Fit, Due Diligence & Growth · 29 minOn this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Felipe Martinez, Vice President of Franchise Development at Estrella Insurance, about franchise…
- Jim Metivier’s Formula for Building a Stronger Brand · 35 minJim 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…
- Why Every Leader Must Be a Storyteller · 38 minIn 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…
- From Tory Burch to Magnolia Bakery: Alex Nessenthaler on Leadership, Franchising, and Redefining Success · 31 minOn 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…
- She Studied Franchising. Then She Bought One. · 36 minToday 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…
- The 'Hard Way' Philosophy: Leadership Lessons From How Colonel Sanders Built a Global Franchise Legacy · 16 minIn this special episode of FranchiseU, co-host Dr. Zac Goldman sits down with fellow University of Louisville colleague and longtime corporate leader Dr. Kathy Gosser to explore…
- The Secret to Relationship-First Franchise Growth with Matt Kunz of Fastest Labs · 36 minIn this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Matt Kunz, President and CEO of Fastest Labs, about relationship-first leadership, franchisee coaching…
- From Harvard Law to Crunch Fitness: Chequan Lewis on Leadership, Franchising, and Building Belonging · 36 minToday Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Chequan Lewis, President of Crunch Fitness, to discuss his remarkable leadership journey from Howard University and Harvard Law School to…
- Renovation Sells: Building Trust, Hospitality, and Hyper-Local Franchise Leadership with Amanda Valente · 27 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Amanda Valente, co-founder and COO of Renovation Sells, to discuss how her company is transforming the home…
- How Franchise Education Creates Career Opportunities: The Direct Path From The Classroom To Franchise Leadership · 40 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser explores how franchise education can open doors to careers that many students and professionals never realize exist. Franchising…
- Why the Next Generation Is Betting on the Trades: Alvaro Leal on Franchising · 30 minOn this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Alvaro Leal, Director of Business Development at 1-TOM-PLUMBER, to explore why franchising and…
- Leaving College Football for Franchising: Orangetheory Fitness Growth in Phoenix, AZ with Kayla and Kevin Curtis · 33 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Kevin and Kayla Curtis about their journey from athletics, coaching, and education into multi-unit franchise ownership…
- Plan Early, Sell Better: Franchise Exit Strategy and Industry Trends with Robin Gagnon · 32 minDr. Kathy Gosser interviews Robin Gagnon, Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, on what drives successful franchise restaurant sales and the trends shaping the resale…
- How AI Is Transforming Franchise Coaching (Without Replacing People)... · 39 minArtificial intelligence is reshaping franchising by turning data into real-time insights that improve performance and strengthen relationships. In this episode of FranchiseU!…
- Why a Chief Medical Officer Bet on Paris Baguette AND Louisville · 30 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Dr. Arif Nazir, a nationally recognized geriatrician and physician executive, as he prepares to open Louisville’s…
- From Startup Lessons to #1 Brand: Inside KidStrong’s Franchise Strategy · 32 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Josh Patrick, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at KidStrong, the youth fitness brand recently ranked #1…
- Growing People Big and Small: The System, Standards, and Strategy Behind Celebree School’s National Growth · 37 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, as she interviews Richie Huffman, founder and CEO of Celebree School, about the deliberate path from a single…
- Navigating Multi-Brand Franchising with Jon Utterback · 32 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, join your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, for a candid conversation with Jon Utterback, an Indiana educator, coach, and multi-brand franchise owner who…
- From Dance Instructor to Multi-Unit Owner: The Journey of Emily Bergman at Arthur Murray Dance Studios · 24 minIn this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, sits down with Emily Bergman, a multi-unit franchisee, and area director with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Emily…
