Franchise Today

Stephane Breault: Guiding Franchisors From Crisis Mode to CEO Mastery

In this powerful episode of Franchise Today, host Stan Friedman welcomes Stéphane Breault, a very highly respected leadership coach and award-winning figure in Canada’s franchise community. What began as a spark during an MBA lecture in 1983 has since evolved into a decades-longmission: helping franchise leaders build better businesses by becoming better leaders.Stephane takes us through his personal and professionalevolution—from corporate executive to author, consultant, and ultimately, sought-after executive coach. He opens up about the challenges of managing growth, making tough personnel decisions, and surviving economic downturns.Packed with practical wisdom and real-world experience,this episode offers valuable insights for franchise founders, executives, and anyone navigating the complexities of leadership in the franchise world.

The Goldfish Effect: Turning Swim Lessons into a Franchise Legacy

This week, we hear from Chris and Andrew McCuiston, two of the dynamic leaders behind Goldfish Swim School, as they share their remarkable journey from a single swim school in Birmingham, Michigan, to a thriving franchise with nearly 200 locations across North America. What began as a spontaneous entrepreneurial leap, evolved into a national brand rooted in safety, trust, and memorable customer experiences. The McCuiston brothers reveal how franchising found them,the importance of building strong franchisee relationships, and the operational pivots that helped them navigate the challenges of COVID-19 and come out stronger still, on the other side. From expanding into Canada to strategicallytargeting growth in California and Florida, they share insights on creating a company culture that prioritizes safety, facility excellence, and community engagement.No matter your point on the franchise compass, there is rich take home value in this conversation, applicable to anyone involved in franchising.  This episode delivers lessons on resilience, adaptability, and staying true to your core values.

Simple, Sweet, Scalable: Magnolia Bakery’s Franchise Recipe!

In this episode of Franchise Today, host Stan Friedmanwelcomes Bobby Lloyd, CEO of Magnolia Bakery, and Jason Mattes, VP of Domestic Franchise Development & Sales. Together, they unpack the remarkable transformation of a charming NYC bakery—immortalized by pop culture—into abeloved global franchise brand.Hear how Magnolia’s fame exploded from media appearances rather than traditional marketing, and discover the strategic thinking behind their international expansion into places like Dubai and India. Jason shares his personal journey from professional sports to franchise development, offering candid reflections on adaptability, planning, and scaling with intention. Whether you're an aspiring franchisee or a seasoned pro,this episode offers invaluable lessons in branding, infrastructure readiness, and leading with authenticity.

Tony Zaccario: Stretching the Limits, on Scaling With Purpose!

In this insightful episode of Franchise Today, Tony Zaccario, President & CEO of Stretch Zone, shares his extraordinary rise from 22-year-old General Manager to the leader of a 400-location wellness brand. Tony opens up about his unplanned entrance into franchising, the early lessons from licensing missteps, and the critical pivot to training and supporting franchisees for sustainable growth and success.Tony emphasizes the power of transparency, mentorship, and sound unit-level economics in building a scalable and resilient franchise system. He recounts navigating the pandemic with steady communication and shares how Stretch Zone’s partnership with Princeton Equity Group and industry leaders like Drew Brees has positioned the brand for global growth.From exploring B2B revenue streams and national accounts to addressing joint employment concerns and franchise education, Tony provides a masterclass in visionary yet practical franchise leadership.

Fixing More Than Cars: Barb Moran’s Leadership Makeover

Barb Moran planned to be an artist, but life had other ideas. She faced other challenges including being fired from her family’s business by her father and suffering a traumatic brain injury, but she turned these setbacks into stepping stones. Today, Barb is the CEO of the Moran Family of Brands, parent company to six automotive-related franchise brands: Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, AltaMere, Multistate Transmissions, and Dr. Nick's Transmissions.  And... oh, by the way, this is the very company that she wasfired from, back in the day.  Today, Barb and the Moran Family of Brands are award-winning, well-respected members of the (IFA) International Franchise Association and the broader franchise community.   Some takeaways from the interview:  •      Embrace Change: When life forces you off your current path, look at it as a chance to pivot instead of it being an obstacle. Embracing change is often the key to unlockinghidden opportunities. •      Perseverance Pays Off: Use setbacks to fuel your determination and push through. Especially in business. Persistence will set you apart. •      The Power of Self-Belief: The journey from self-doubt to self-belief can be hard, but it’s also rewarding. By trusting in your ability, you’ll achieve the confidence you need to lead and thrive.