Meet the Franchise

Nick sits down with Maureen Anders, co-founder and CEO of AR Workshop, to discuss the brand’s growth, its approach to experiential retail, and the opportunities it offers prospective franchise owners. 
 AR Workshop combines instructor-led DIY home decor workshops with private events, youth camps and curated retail offerings, giving franchise owners multiple revenue streams. The brand also offers two business models: traditional brick-and-mortar locations and mobile Crafty Cruiser units, allowing owners to reach their communities in different ways. With more than 100 locations across over 30 states, AR Workshop has grown into a nationwide franchise network. 
With her extensive experience in de...

1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Michele Henry, CEO and Founder of FACE FOUNDRIÉ, to discuss how her personal experience with skin struggles inspired her to disrupt the traditional wellness industry with a high-frequency, open-air facial bar concept. FACE FOUNDRIÉ currently operates 85+ open locations with 120 stores in development. Demonstrating high franchisee satisfaction and strong system health, over 90% of current owners are multi-unit developers. With standard store openings taking only 10–12 months from signing, the brand is targeting rapid expansion toward 400 to 500 locations over the next 3 to 5 years, along with future international development. Before launching FACE FOUNDRIÉ, Michele built and scaled a suc...

Nick Powills sits down with Bret Schneider, Founder and CEO of WOW Window Boxes, to discuss how he turned custom container gardening into an automated, year-round service model that generates over $5.3 million in corporate revenue with an 87% customer retention rate. 
 Originally founded in 2007 and franchising in partnership with REP'M Group, WOW Window Boxes delivers custom-built PVC planter products paired with a proprietary, automatic drip-irrigation system. The franchise is built for rapid national scaling, leveraging a centralized Sales Support Center that qualifies incoming leads, issues estimates, and processes client deposits directly for local operators. 
 Bret Schneider began his career as a...

Nick Powills sits down with Dok Kwon, President & Chief Operating Officer of CUPBOP, to discuss how Kwon transitioned from a Wall Street job to partnering with founder Jung Song to transform a single Utah food truck into a global Korean BBQ phenomenon. 
 CUPBOP has rapidly scaled from a local 10-unit food truck and brick-and-mortar operation into a high-growth quick-service brand boasting over 57 U.S. locations across Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Oklahoma, alongside an international footprint of over 180 units in Indonesia. 
 Dok Kwon moved to the U.S. from South Korea at age 11 and earned a full scho...

Are you looking to invest in a boutique fitness & wellness franchise?

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Scott Capelin, Founder and CEO of inLIFE Wellness, to discuss how his 25 years of fitness industry experience and entrepreneurship's highs and lows led him to design a streamlined boutique pilates studio model.

https://scottcapelin.com/

inLIFE Wellness has expanded to approximately 70 global locations, initially scaling organically across Australia before launching its rapid U.S. development trajectory anchored in Dallas, Texas. Driven by strong consumer demand in the booming...

Around 3.6 million+ new mothers enter the U.S. market every year. New Mom School is building a business around what they need most: support.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE, sits down with Alexandra Spitz, Founder and CEO of New Mom School, to discuss how the brand is capitalizing on the rapidly expanding $16.7 billion postpartum services market. Positioning itself as a first-to-market franchise dedicated to structured postnatal education and peer community, New Mom School addresses a critical care gap for the approximately 3.6 million+ new mothers entering the U.S. market each...

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE, sits down with Abid Abedi, Founder and CEO of iCode School, to discuss how the franchise is powering the future of STEM education. Abid has more than 30 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and has founded more than 15 startups across different sectors. Founded in 2015, iCode was created after Abid identified a gap in the market for engaging, future-focused computer science education for children. iCode is redefining STEM education through immersive, hands-on learning experiences that teach children coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, game development, digital design, and other...

Are you looking to invest in a Music Education franchise?

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Michael Anderson, Founder and CEO of Rockstars of Tomorrow, to discuss how over 30 years of touring and collaborating with world-class musicians inspired him to create a brand that disrupts the industry with its standout immersive studio environments, internal concert theaters, state-of-the-art recording facilities, and multiple revenue streams. Rockstars of Tomorrow is aggressively expanding its footprint across the United States, targeting passionate entrepreneurs to enter premium territories nationwide.

Currently operating 8 franchise units...

How do you become the #1-ranked Home Inspection Franchise for four consecutive years?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-firmstone-2290a41b3/

Founded in 1993, WIN Home Inspection has grown into one of the nation's leading home inspection franchise brands, serving more than 2 million clients through a network of 280+ locations across 45 states. Among its many industry recognitions, WIN has been ranked the #1 Home Inspection Franchise by Entrepreneur for the past four years, named one of the Fastest-Growing Franchises, recognized as a Top Franchise for Veterans, and ranked among the Best Home-Based Franchises.

On this episode, 1851...

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, Nick sits down with Weed Man's Philip Fogarty, Head of Franchise Development, and Jennifer Lemcke, CEO, to discuss what it takes to build a successful business in the professional lawn care industry and why it remains an attractive franchise opportunity.

Founded in Canada and later expanding into the U.S., Weed Man has been part of the industry for over 50 years, growing from one man and a pickup truck into more than 970 territories across North America. The brand has earned top industry recognition, including Best Lawn Care Service Company from...

On this episode, Nick Powills sits down with Magen Morgan, Founder and CEO of Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. to discuss how she turned her passion for safer, plant-based skincare into a rapidly growing retail concept that sports multiple revenue streams.

Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. currently operates over 50 family-centered locations across 17 states. As part of its national expansion strategy, the brand is targeting high-growth hot markets including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Founded in 2016 in New Albany, Mississippi, Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. was created when Morgan set out...

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Tim Lovett, CEO & Co-Owner, and Lance Ingram, Founder & Co-Owner of Waterloo Turf, how they grew an Austin-based turf business into a franchise model that is rapidly expanding to 39 active territories across Texas and beyond.

Founder & Co-Owner Lance Ingram launched Waterloo Turf in 2021 after years of industry experience dating back to 2016, scaling the initial Austin operation and successfully testing multi-unit management in San Antonio with a full-time GM. Seeking a vehicle for national expansion, Lance partnered with Tim Lovett, a former operations executive at...

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, Nick Powills sits down with Josh Wise, CEO of GrassRoots Turf, to discuss how he founded a lawn care business that was able to turn customer trust into a recurring residual revenue opportunity.

Founded in 2002 and franchising since 2019, GrassRoots Turf has scaled to 23 franchise units across the United States. Recognized for four consecutive years (2023–2026) as a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review based on independent franchisee satisfaction, GrassRoots solves the industry's biggest cash flow issue by eliminating weather-dependent, pay-per-treatment revenue in favor of automated monthly subscriptions.

Josh Wise en...

Nick Powills sits down with Rob Emery, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of DOGPerfect, to discuss how his nearly 40 years of hands-on entrepreneurial success led him to create a standout pet brand that successfully brings together nutrition, grooming, and everyday essentials.

Founded in 2019 by Rob and Linda Emery, DOGPerfect grew to 6 thriving units across affluent, high-growth Sarasota and Manatee County markets. As of 2025, they have begun franchising and are now looking to expand beyond their Florida footprint by targeting high-density, lifestyle-driven neighborhoods across the country.

Rob began his entrepreneurial career in 1987, founding Cellular and More (a...

Nick Powills sits down with Matt O'Rourke, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group, to discuss how he scaled his own enterprise to seven locations before its acquisition by BELFOR.

BELFOR Franchise Group corners the market on industrial services, property restoration, cleaning, and home/facility maintenance, with a robust footprint spanning a portfolio of industry-leading brands including 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Chem-Dry, DUCTZ, Helpful Heroes, HOODZ, N-Hance, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, The Patch Boys, 1-800-BOARDUP, redbox+ Dumpsters, Z PLUMBERZ, WINMAR, Clear Pest Pros, COOL-BINZ, and JUNKCO+.

Matt O'Rourke serves as Executive Vice President...

Are you looking to invest in a Senior Care franchise?

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Erin Render , CEO of Legato Living, to discuss how her extensive background in Healthcare Administration and hands-on experience in residential long-term care led to founding a specialized memory care model that disrupts the big-box senior living industry.

Operating on a specialized residential model focused on moderate to advanced dementia care, Legato Living is designed for high resident retention, allowing individuals to truly age in place through flat-rate pricing and customized programs...

Are you a veteran looking to invest in a lucrative business?

We sit down with Zach Willey, Founder and CEO of VETS Junk Removal and Dumpsters, to discuss how he leveraged 17+ years of high-stakes U.S. Army leadership to create a business that gives veterans an opportunity to tap into the $10+ Billion national trash management industry.

VETS Junk Removal and Dumpsters is executing a strategic expansion plan across core markets in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, and Virginia. Company partnerships covering over 1 million apartment units, structured operational roadmaps...

We sit down with Shawn Caric, Vice President of Franchising at Smoothie King, to discuss why Smoothie King is the right choice for top-tier unit economics investors interested in the health and wellness smoothie industry.

Capitalizing on a U.S. wellness market that exceeds $2 trillion and grows at nearly 8% annually, Smoothie King operates a footprint of over 1,200 stores in the United States and more than 1,300 locations worldwide. The brand is executing strategic expansion plans across high-growth target markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, and West.

Caric brings decades of restaurant development leadership to the...

Meet Nate Tew, CEO and Co-Founder of Keyrenter Property Management.

Founded as a residential property management company, Keyrenter Property Management helps rental property owners maximize returns through tenant placement, rent collection, maintenance coordination and ongoing property management. Since launching its franchise model in 2014, the brand has grown to more than 90 franchise locations across the U.S. and was recognized by Franchise Business Review as a 2026 Top Recession-Resistant Franchise and 2026 Top Culture Franchise.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Nate Tew to discuss how he has grown Keyrenter...

Are you looking to invest in a restaurant franchise where the corporate team actually understands what it's like to run a shift?

FSC Franchise Co. is the powerful corporate engine behind three massive names in the food and beverage space: Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap, and Newk's Eatery. What makes them unique is that they also run about 30 of their own locations and their leadership has personally tested those operations across years of service.

In this live webinar, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Alan Rogers, Vice President of Organizational Learning & Development from...

Meet Chuck Bongiovanni and Majestic Residences.

Majestic Residences Franchise Systems is redefining senior living through a residential assisted living franchise model that combines compassionate care with a scalable business opportunity.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE, sits down with Chuck Bongiovanni MSW,MBA,CSA,CFE,CPRS, Co-Founder & CEO of Majestic Residences, to discuss the financial potential of the residential assisted living industry, building a scalable franchise system, and why demographic trends are creating long-term opportunities for franchise owners and investors.

A Certified Franchise Executive, author, and longtime...

Meet Joey Gonzalez and Chop Stop.

Founded in 2010, Chop Stop is known for its fresh, made-to-order salads, wraps, bowls, and soups. The brand emphasizes quality ingredients, including locally sourced lettuce, offering a healthier take on fast-casual dining. With a growing franchise system, Chop Stop continues to expand across the U.S.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE, sits down with Joey Gonzalez to discuss the brand's evolution, franchise growth, and the future of healthy fast-casual dining.

A restaurant industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Gonzalez...

Meet Peter Hans and Discovery Map International, Inc.!

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE will discuss the brand's unique business model with Peter Hans, CEO of Discovery Map, which helps local businesses connect with travelers through its iconic hand-drawn maps and growing digital platform.

Recognized as a Top Low-Cost Franchise by Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 in 2024, Discovery Map offers a home-based, low-overhead opportunity backed by more than 50 years of experience publishing trusted travel maps across North America.

Learn more about the franchise opportunity: https://discoverymapfranchise.com/

What makes a home services franchise stand out in today's competitive market?

Meet Steve C. Lane, Executive Director of Franchise Development at Handyman Connection!

Handyman Connection is a leading home improvement franchise that connects homeowners with skilled craftsmen who deliver professional repair, remodeling, and maintenance services. With a proven business model, strong operational support, and recurring customer demand, the brand continues to expand across North America.

In 2025 alone, Handyman Connection earned recognition as an Entrepreneur Verified Franchise, was named a Top Franchise for Veterans by Entrepreneur, ranked on Qualified Remodeler's TOP 500 and HIP 200...

Meet Conquer Padel Club and Barry J. Falcon, CFE, CEO of Conquer Franchising!

What is Conquer Padel Club?

Conquer Padel Club is bringing one of the fastest-growing sports in the world to the U.S. - padel. The International Padel Federation recognizes padel as one of the sport's fastest-growing global movements. Through premium indoor padel clubs designed for players of all skill levels, Conquer combines state-of-the-art courts, professional coaching, leagues, tournaments, and social experiences to create a community-driven destination for padel enthusiasts. Originally launched in Mexico, Conquer is now expanding across the United States with...

Meet Matt Nagelkirk, Vice President of Franchising at Tommy's Express® Car Wash!

What is Tommy's Express Car Wash?

Tommy's Express is an industry-leading automated car wash franchise with more than 270 locations nationwide, backed by parent company Tommy Car Wash Systems. The brand has earned recognition as the #1 Car Wash in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500, a spot on the Inc. 5000 Regionals, and placement on the Franchise Times Fast & Serious list of the industry's smartest-growing brands.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE sits down with Matt Nagelkirk to discuss how h...

Learn more about Mathnasium - The Math Learning Center, boasting a global footprint of more than 1,250 learning centers.

Kevin S., CFO at Mathnasium, will join 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE in a live webinar to provide a closer look at why now is the time to join Mathnasium. He will discuss unit-level profitability, low-overhead model benefits, recent ROI insights, how the brand supports its franchisees, and expansion efforts in the Northeast.

Register here to take the first step with Mathnasium:
https://1851franchise.com/mathnasium

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Meet Joshua Frankel, Vice President of Franchising at Five Iron Golf!

What is Five Iron Golf?

Five Iron Golf combines state-of-the-art golf simulators with a vibrant bar, restaurant, and social space, backed by industry giants Danny Meyer's Enlightened Hospitality Investments and Callaway Golf.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE sits down with Joshua Frankel to discuss how the brand successfully expanded from a single New York City location into a global entertainment powerhouse with 32 venues across 13 states and 5 countries.

The brand is targeting rapid domestic...

Jennifer Jack-Wunder is a multi-unit Comfort Keepers franchise owner in Canton, Georgia, who earned her nursing degree after a career in hospitality management. A lifelong learner with a heart for senior care, she chose franchising with Comfort Keepers so she could have a direct hand in her clients' well-being while serving as a mentor, coach, and cheerleader for her caregiving team.

Comfort Keepers is an in-home senior care brand founded in 1998 and franchising since 1999, now with more than 700 operating territories in the US and Canada. Over two decades as a multi-unit owner in North Georgia, Jennifer built...

Meet Loni Le Van-Etter, Founder of Glosshouz!

What is Glosshouz?

Glosshouz Spa Center is a modern beauty, spa, medspa and wellness franchise business designed for ambitious entrepreneurs seeking ownership in the booming $100 Billion dollar self-care industry.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills, CFE sits down with Laylonie Le Van-Etter, Founder of Glosshouz, to discuss how her background as an electrical engineer allowed her to design, systemize, and scale a highly efficient spa model that maximizes per-customer spend through an innovative recurring membership program.

Backed by an...

Meet Hadri Jaffal, CO-Founder and CEO of Iron Bodyfit!

What is Iron Bodyfit?

Iron Bodyfit is a gym model focused on turning science-backed Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology into a highly efficient 25-minute, once-a-week workout that delivers the metabolic results of a multi-hour gym session, creating an incredibly high-margin, low-overhead investment opportunity.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Hadri Jaffal, CEO and Co-Founder of Iron Bodyfit, to discuss how the brand achieved massive international scale by pioneering a structured, turnkey business model that allows entrepreneurs...

Meet Jeff Helfgott, CEO of Boardroom Salon For Men!

What is Boardroom Salon?

Boardroom Salon for Men is an upscale men's salon with a highly sophisticated membership model that serves as the ultimate competitive moat, with more than 40% of revenue recurring from membership.

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with CEO Jeff Helfgott to discuss how Boardroom Salon is capturing the massive white space in the upscale men's grooming sector while achieving four straight years of same-store growth and zero closures since 2023. The franchise is currently...

Are you looking to invest in a entertainment and video game resale franchise?

On this episode of Meet The Franchise, 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills sits down with Nick Leja, President of Disc Replay, to discuss how completely overhauling the brand's proprietary point-of-sale infrastructure and website prepared this 38-unit system to wake up a "sleeping bear" of franchise growth.

Currently operating 38 successful units, Disc Replay is executing a strategic blueprint to scale its footprint by over 550% toward a long-term goal of 250 high-performing locations. Over the next 3–5 years, the brand's mission centers on capturing substantial market whitespace ac...

Navigating the commercial lending landscape can be an intimidating hurdle for aspiring entrepreneurs. For prospective franchisees exploring the early education industry, one of the biggest questions is often: Will I be able to secure financing?

Samantha Martin joins 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills to discuss why Children's Lighthouses' strong revenue growth (9.9% compound annual growth rate) and high fund score (805 out of 950) make funding options more accessible for entrepreneurs.

As a Senior Business Development Officer at Huntington Bank, Samantha breaks down the underwriting process with a senior education lending specialist from Huntington Bank...

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...