Meet the Franchise

Are you looking to invest in a health and wellness franchise?

Discover how Clean Eatz maximizes profitability and mitigates market risk through five diversified revenue streams, a low initial investment, and a streamlined operational model that caters perfectly to the surging consumer demand for convenient, macro-balanced nutrition.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Don Varady, Co-founder and CEO of Clean Eatz, to discuss how the brand successfully engineered a $1.1 million Average Unit Volume (AUV) by establishing a highly sustainable, ethical franchise model that provides Meal Plans, Grab...

While major corporate chains rely on impersonal, transactional service, Aroma Joe's has emerged as a powerhouse industry disruptor by combining an insanely loyal cult following, ethically sourced craft coffees, and their proprietary AJ's Rush® Energy drink line to capture a massive share of the booming $80 billion U.S. coffee market.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Erika Tarnowski, Franchise Development Director at Aroma Joe's, to discuss how the brand has successfully weaponized an unmatched, franchisee-first support culture to achieve 25 years of sustained operational excellence and rapid multi-unit expansion.

Are you looking to invest in a sub sandwich franchise?

While traditional fast-casual brands rely on cookie-cutter, corporate-mandated blueprints, Cheba Hut has broken the industry mold by pairing industry-leading $2.3M+ AUVs with a high-margin, cannabis-themed experiential restaurant model that features a full-service bar and no expensive, complicated fryers or grills.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Seth Larsen, Chief Development Officer of Cheba Hut, to discuss how the brand secured a landmark intellectual property and trademark securitization deal with Diversified Royalty Corp, a massive validation of the...

Meet Andrew Gibson, President and CEO of Tide Services at Procter & Gamble. While the $115 billion laundry and dry cleaning sector has spent decades defined by fragmented, outdated, local mom-and-pop operators, Tide Services delivers on two tech-enabled, premium models from the unmatched corporate infrastructure and brand equity of Procter & Gamble.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Andrew Gibson to discuss Tide Services' strategic transition from a rigid single-store design into two highly scalable, multi-format national out-of-home laundry and dry cleaning platforms - Tide Cleaners & Tide Laundromat. Tide Services has expanded...

While many industries are seeing a reason to scale back right now, the event rental and outdoor entertainment industry is thriving. Busy Bee Jumpers has spent 25 years capitalizing on this need, completing more than 13,000 events each year and earning a status as an industry leader in reliability, safety, and service. The brand is now expanding nationally, fueled by strong roots in Massachusetts and New England.

Nick Powills sits down with Gina Payzant, the brand's CFO turned first-ever franchisee, and Sal Longo , CEO, as they share how they transitioned a successful 15-year independent operation into a high-growth franchise...

Are you looking to invest in a facility service management franchise?

System4 began as a janitorial company but has evolved into a full-service facility management franchise by transforming traditional facility maintenance into a high-margin sales and service logistics management model.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Scott Kubec, Chief Operating Officer at System4 LLC, to discuss the opportunity behind the brand's proprietary technology platforms and expertise in streamlining priorities that make it simple to drive high-volume corporate contracts.

As Chief Operating Officer, Scott Kubec brings...

Stella's Ice Cream has redefined the traditional "mom-and-pop" shop by merging small-batch, artisanal quality with a high-performance, modern operational model. The brand offers both a vibrant, retail presence paired with a high-margin optional mobile ice cream truck and cart component, allowing franchisees to capture market share both in-store and at premium community events. Since launching its franchise program in 2023, the brand has already secured 12 franchised units alongside 4 corporate locations.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Chad Hartley , CEO and Founder of Stella's Ice Cream, to discuss how the brand...

Meet Todd Hillman , Vice President of Franchise Development at Always Best Care Senior Services.

What is Always Best Care?

Always Best Care stands apart in the $430 billion home care industry by offering a unique "Continuum of Care" model that allows franchisees to secure three distinct revenue streams—non-medical in-home care, skilled home health, and assisted living placement—from a single protected referral source.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Todd Hillman, Vice President of Franchise Development, to discuss how Always Best Care has maintained uninterrupted syst...

Meet Suzie Tsai / suzietsai , CEO of Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken.

What is Bonchon?

"Bonchon is a global phenomenon two decades in the making." FSR Magazine.

Bonchon is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that specializes in Korean-style fried chicken and a variety of savory Asian fusion dishes. With more than 500 locations worldwide, Bonchon presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and Multi-Unit operators who have experience in fast-casual restaurants and share the brand's vision to promote Korean hometown flavors to a global audience.

Bonchon is consistently recognized as a leader in the franchise space...

Own the top-rated men's hair franchise.

In this episode, 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills sits down with Brent Greenwood, VP of Franchise Development at Sport Clips, to discuss the 2026 investment opportunity and the brand's path to 1,800+ locations. About the Sport Clips Franchise Opportunity:

Sport Clips is a nationally recognized leader in the men's and boys' haircare category. Founded in 1993, the brand has scaled to over 1,800 stores by focusing on simple operations and a high-retention manager-run model.

Key Financial & Investment Highlights: -Total Investment: $226,800 to $580,500 per store -Average Operating Profit: $126,281 (Based on 2026 Item 19 data) -Owner Profile...

Meet Brian Simowitz, President at Houston TX Hot Chicken.

What is Houston TX Hot Chicken?

Houston TX Hot Chicken (AKA - HHC) is a fast-casual restaurant offering delicious Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches and other southern-inspired favorites. Opening their first location in 2021 as a small passion project, Founders Houston Crosta and Swedish race-car driver Edmond Barseghian have made a big splash as rising stars in the “hot chicken” phenomenon.

With 30+ open locations and 150+ in development, HHC is bridging the gap between social media influence and rigorous operational discipline. In 2023, HHC won a strategic investment from...

Meet Chris Stoness, founder and CEO of both Sparkle Squad and Elite Window Cleaning!

As a leading executive in the window cleaning sector, Chris Stoness transitioned from a recording engineer to a visionary founder, modernizing an industry that hadn't seen innovation since the 1930s. While they operate as distinct brands in different countries, Elite Window Cleaning and Sparkle Squad are essentially two sides of the same high-tech coin. Founded in 2012 in Kingston, Ontario, Stoness spent over a decade perfecting the operations, technology, and philosophy that defined Elite's success in the Canadian window cleaning market. Launched in late 2023...

Are you looking to invest in a commercial cleaning franchise that has already carved out a dominant market share?

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Sean Hart, a seasoned franchise development leader, to discuss how Enviro-Master® accomplished a system-wide revenue increase of over 500% from 2016 to 2021 through the use of proprietary cleaning technology in a post-COVID world.

Need help finding a franchise to own? Join the Growth Club now!

Meet Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne's Chicken Fingers.

What Is Layne's?

Founded in 1994 in College Station, this "Soon To Be Famous" chicken-finger franchise became a Texas A&M legend known for its small-town charm, friendly service, iconic chicken fingers, and secret sauce. Layne's presents a unique combination of growth potential and brand maturity in the booming chicken space.

With more than 30 restaurants open and more than 250 sold, Layne's is quickly laying the groundwork for a nationwide takeover. While the team remains interested in dominating the market in its home state of Texas and...

1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills interviews Newk's CDO Chris Cheek and Mid-South multi-unit franchisee Wes Williams to learn why existing franchisees are doubling and tripling down on their investments with Newk's Eatery.

Wes Williams isn't your typical "entrepreneur" on paper. He started his career loading trucks at a metals distribution center and worked his way up to become the President of a $50M company before discovering his calling in franchising. Today, Wes operates six Newk's locations across Arkansas and Tennessee, with three more already in the pipeline.

Need help finding a franchise to own? Join the...

Meet Healey Mendicino, CEO and President of Port of Subs!

What is Port of Subs?

Founded in 1972, Port of Subs is a premium sandwich-based Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) with over 130 locations across Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Throughout its 50-year history, this family-owned brand has undergone numerous transitions to refine its operations. Following a 2023 investment from the franchise experts at Area 15 Ventures, the company is now accelerating development by shifting from single-unit growth to a regional developer model.

The brand's excellence is well-documented; it was recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 (2025), ranked...

Meet Dr. Clint Coleman, CEO of Central Creativity!

What is Central Creativity?

Founded in 2017, Central Creativity is an educational organization dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking skills in students by providing innovative, hands-on learning experiences for Pre-K through 12th grade.

Central Creativity is designed for entrepreneurs who care deeply about education and community impact. Ideal franchisees may come from a variety of backgrounds, including teaching, administration, nonprofit work, or business ownership.

Dr. Clint Coleman, who holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University and previously led Louisiana's statewide...

Meet Dan Stone, Chief Business Officer at The Melting Pot Restaurants! What is The Melting Pot? The Melting Pot, the 94-unit experiential fondue franchise, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. As a leader in this niche sector, they have excelled as the go-to fondue concept thanks to the power of a passionate corporate team and a focus on operational execution of new initiatives. In the past year the brand has found success in two major projects with the launch of "Melting Pot at Home", a retail and e-commerce product that is now available across over 2,500 grocery locations, as well...

Meet Ralph Bower, CEO at The Melt!

What is The Melt?

Founded in 2011 in San Francisco, The Melt is a heavy-hitting, indulgent restaurant in the fast-casual sector. Known as the home of the "World's Meltiest Burger," this brand has found massive success in the West with 17 locations, including its recent expansion into Arizona.

As CEO, Bower has led a culture shift focused on guest feedback and delivering an “I Love It Here” experience, a philosophy so far-reaching it even transformed the entire menu. Under Bower's leadership, the Aver...

Meet Clint Rowley, Brand President of Screenmobile!

What is Screenmobile?

With 28 consecutive years on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, Screenmobile is the original mobile screen repair and installation franchise with a broad menu of services including patio enclosures, motorized screens, sun control products, pet-resistant screens and custom outdoor living solutions. With more than 120 units operating in over 30 states, franchise owners run home-based businesses using a branded truck and trailer that functions as a mobile workshop, allowing them to measure, manufacture and install screens on-site, often in a single visit.

Clint Rowley has served as Brand President...

Meet Amy Addington, President and Co-Founder of Woofie's Pet Venture.

What is Woofie's?

Founded in 2004 in Ashburn, Virginia, by Amy Addington and neighbor Leslie Barron, Woofie's is a full-service mobile pet care franchise that combines mobile pet grooming, dog walking, and pet sitting into one platform. In 2022, the brand joined the Authority Brands family and, as of 2025, Woofie's currently operates over 90 units nationally.

As a mobile, service-based business, Woofie's is attractive for its inexpensive operations overhead, flexible offerings, and consistent customer demand. These factors make it a great option for community-focused franchisees looking...

Discover the Magic Behind FSC Franchise Co.'s Differentiated Sports & Community Concepts.

Nick interviews Scott SirLouis, COO of FSC Franchise Co., to explore the dual-brand opportunity this parent company offers with Beef 'O' Brady's and The Brass Tap — two complementary concepts built around Food. Sports. Community.

Learn how FSC's portfolio approach empowers operators to become the “Mayor of the Market,” pairing a family-friendly sports restaurant with an upscale craft beer bar to drive repeat traffic, diversify revenue, and scale efficiently within one territory.

Learn more about franchising with FSC Franchise Co. here:
https...

Meet Burton Heiss, CEO of Escapology. What is Escapology?

After opening the first location in Orlando in 2014, Escapology began franchising in 2016 as a leader in the growing escape room & entertainment sector. In 2025, they celebrated their 100th location opening in Glendale, Arizona, spearheaded by a brother-sister team of multi-unit franchisees.

Escapology stands out for their use of an internal manufacturing team, empowering consistent quality and faster rollouts of games across locations. Their rooms also span beloved universes brought to life through world-class licensing with iconic franchises like Scooby Doo, Star Trek, Batman, etc.

Burton...

Meet Brandon & Chantel Gawthorp, Co-Founders of Urban Bird Hot Chicken.

What is Urban Bird?

Started in September of 2020, Urban Bird is a veteran owned and operated Nashville Style Hot Chicken restaurant that has seen massive success through their intentional use of high-quality food products and creative signature flavorings.

After discovering the Hot Chicken craze on a trip to Vegas, Brandon and Chantel Gawthorp opened their first location in Katy, TX, right as the pandemic began in March of 2020. As previous multi-unit Wingstop franchisees, this team has found success in the exploding chicken market...

What started with grit, focus, and a simple obsession became Dillas Quesadillas — an emerging brand creating a category of its own.

Now, the next chapter is unfolding. Join 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills for a behind-the-scenes conversation with Dillas Quesadillas Co-Founders Kyle and Maggie Gordon.

You'll hear the real story of how Dillas was built — from early lessons at Raising Cane's to growing a brand. Whether you're a longtime Diehard or simply curious about entrepreneurship and restaurant ownership, this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with the founders.

Learn more about fran...

Meet Katy Richardson, COO, and Lou DeFrancisco, President, of Extraordinary Brands.

What is Extraordinary Brands?

Since its founding in May 2022, Extraordinary Brands has assembled a portfolio of leading fitness brands including Row House, Neighborhood barre, CycleBar, and Rumble Boxing. By combining a passion for health and wellness with an entrepreneurial spirit, Extraordinary Brands focuses on creating opportunities that inspire growth while empowering people to live healthier lives.

The Extraordinary Brands team helps franchisees create a customized roadmap to build a thriving wellness-focused business, while making fitness and better health accessible to their community. <...

Meet Nick Way, Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Home Helpers Home Care Franchise.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickway1/

What is Home Helpers Home Care?

Named A Top Low-Cost Franchises by Franchise Business Review and a 5-Star Franchise by Vet-Fran, Home Helpers® provides comprehensive in-home care services and assistance for seniors and more. With more than 330 locations across the US, serving more than 1,500 communities, Home Helpers Home Care provides franchisees performance coaching, continuous training and networking, strategic vendor partnerships, and professional marketing and lead-generation resources.

Many franchisees do not have h...

Meet Joseph Wade, VP of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-wade-4b386913/

What is Benjamin Franklin Plumbing?

The brand traces its franchising roots to the early 2000s, when a group of independent plumbing businesses came together through a buying group. The goal was to better compete in a fragmented industry and bring structure to what was often an informal, highly localized trade.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing was acquired by Authority Brands, which brought the operational support and systems needed to scale. Franchisees benefit from Authority Brands' in-house...

Meet Brandon Cornelius, COO of Costa Oil.

What is Costa Oil?

This Hanover, Pennsylvania based franchise is one of the only family owned automotive service / quick lube businesses that is not directly owned, operated or affiliated with an oil company.

Ranked #101 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2025 list of Top New & Emerging Franchises in the United States, Costa Oil was established in 2014 by current President Costa Kapothanasis, and began franchising in 2020. Since then the brand has expanded to 53 locations as of 2024, marking a 278.6% growth over three years.

Currently, Costa Oil is looking for driven...

At a time when private equity firms are acquiring many childcare franchises, the question of whether family operated or privately owned is a huge factor when deciding on a franchise.

Nick Powills, Publisher of 1851 Franchise, is joined by Children's Lighthouse President, Michael Brown, and VP of Franchise Development, Matt Kelton to unpack how staying family-owned in a private equity-heavy childcare market gives franchisees a fundamentally different experience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brown-cfe-93022515/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kelton/

For entrepreneurs evaluating higher-end childcare investments in 2026, Children's Lighthouse is betting that...

Meet Lane Martin, Founder of Modern PURAIR®.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-martin-7377a114/

What is Modern PURAIR?

Franchising since 2007, this brand is a full-service Indoor Air Quality company offering duct cleaning & indoor air quality programs and testing for residential properties, retail locations, property management companies, restoration companies, schools, hospitals, and more.

Founded initially in 1969 by Don Martin as a HVAC service business in Calgary, Modern PURAIR has developed over time to offer full suite of services in the growing air quality sector and a franchise model with 22 franchisees across Canada.

Meet Dr. Rachel Fidino, CEO of New U Women's Clinic and Aesthetics.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rachel-fidino-722531162/

What is New U?

Founded in February 2020, New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics is a premier facility offering a holistic approach to patient care. Bridging the gap between medical practice and aesthetics, New U offers skincare, injectables, body wellness programs, and comprehensive women's health services. Their excellence has been recognized by "Tri-Cities Best," winning the titles of Best Women's Clinic, Best MedSpa, and Best Weight Loss Center for four consecutive years (2022–2025).

Dr. Rachel Fidino is...

Meet Nesa Opp, Director of Franchise Development for The Glass Guru Franchise.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesa-opp-3abb07202/

What is The Glass Guru Franchise?

The Glass Guru offers window/glass restoration services & glass replacement to residential/commercial customers. The brand was the first US-based enterprise to introduce the Foggy Window Repair process, a revolutionary method being used in Canada that restored the appearance and heat-retaining properties of defective dual-pane windows, without requiring the glass to be replaced. The brand currently operates 85+ franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Most...

Meet Justin Waltz, President of The Junkluggers. https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwaltz/ What is The Junkluggers? Junkluggers offers convenient, hassle-free junk removal services with eco-friendly initiatives that make it easier than ever to declutter a customers property. After lugging your items, their goal is to donate, re-purpose, and rehome as much as possible to help keep items out of landfills. Founded in In 2004 by founder, Josh Cohen, Junkluggers began by using his mom's SUV and operated out of a small storage closet in his father's office. Brand-conscious from the beginning, he painted one wall a brilliant shade of...

Meet Carlos Hesano, Brand President at DRYmedic Restoration Services.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-hesano-716a47b/
What is DRYmedic Restoration Services?

Founded in 2014, DRYmedic Restoration Services is a disaster restoration business with services from Water & Flood Damage, Fire & Smoke Damage, Mold Remediation, Disaster Mitigation and Preventative Services, to so much more. Acquired by Authority Brands in 2022, the brand is a National Franchise with 60+ locations in 25 states.

Carlos Hesano is a lifelong entrepreneur who has had success growing multiple franchises prior to co-founding DRYmedic Restoration Services. Over the years, Carlos has evolved into...

Meet Rob Palmer, Founder & Brand President at The Lawn Squad.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robpalmerwp/

What is The Lawn Squad?

Lawn Squad is a weed control and lawn fertilization company that offers franchise opportunities for new and existing members of the lawn care industry. Along with new business owners, Lawn Squad specializes in adding their services into your existing business to expand your portfolio.

Lawn care is a recession-resistant industry. People continue to invest in their homes and outdoor spaces even during economic downturns. Lawn Squad is also a low-investment franchise...

Meet Todd Houghton, President of Homewatch CareGivers.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-houghton-811412b/ What is Homewatch CareGivers?

Founded in 1980, this brand is a long standing leader inside the expanding home-care franchise world, providing flexible non-medical services with an expansive menu of specializations. The brand has also invested in advancements in the digital home care space with Homewatch Connect, facilitating virtual care and family connections.

Acquired by Authority Brands in September 2017, Homewatch CareGivers pays special attention to training, support, and creating a connected hub of franchisees that work together. They have been recognized...

Meet Joe Manuszak, Director of Operations for UNITS Moving & Portable Storage.

/ manuszak

What is UNITS?

UNITS is a provider of moving and portable storage services, including self-storage, on-site storage, self-service moving, and inter-franchise (long-distance) moves. UNITS is a nationwide network, reaching over 800 cities and continuing to grow.

UNITS separates itself in the industry by focusing on high-quality equipment and innovation, providing features like their ROBO-Unit Delivery Service. Franchisees love the brand's focus on hands-on centralized leadership and the ability to see returns on the available flexible franchise models.

Joe...

Nick is joined by Keke's Breakfast Cafe's Sr. Director of Franchise Relations, Jon Ahrendt, and Multi-Unit Franchisee John Ehrhard to discuss why this established restaurant concept in the breakfast and lunch-only restaurant space is ideal for multi-unit franchisees looking to diversify their portfolio without sacrificing revenue or work-life balance.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-ahrendt/

https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise-2729755#stories

With a streamlined menu and a relentless focus on operational efficiency, Keke's Breakfast Cafe is rapidly becoming a standout in the booming breakfast and brunch segment. Keke's has active development in California...

Meet Max Emma, CEO and Founder of BooXkeeping. / maxemma What is BooXkeeping? BooXkeeping offers outsourced bookkeeping services that can eliminate the burden of tracking expenses and keeping your financial records organized. They are   the only bookkeeping franchise in the United States and a preferred provider for over 110 franchise brands in the US. Founded by Max and Elena Emma, two entrepreneurial immigrants with in-depth experience in finance and accounting, the brand's journey spans over 20 years. With 10 units currently open, the brand is all about fostering a community of franchise owners that serve white glove, custom service to current clients, while work...