From A to Franchisee: The Podcast for Smarter Franchise Buying

REPLAY: How to Spot a Recession-Resistant Franchise

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506088/fan_mail/new] Host: Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review Guest: Mark Jameson, Franchise Development Officer, Propelled Brands [https://www.propelledbrands.com/] Thinking about buying a franchise in today’s market? Before you invest, learn how to identify franchise models designed to withstand economic volatility. Michelle Rowan and franchise executive Mark Jameson break down the traits of recession-resistant franchise systems, the questions candidates should ask during due diligence, and how strong franchisors support owners through uncertainty. *Propelled Brands did NOT sponsor this episode. But their brand, FASTSIGNS [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/top-franchises/fastsigns/], does appear on our Recession-Resistant Franchises list and is worth checking out. Resources * List: Top Recession-Resistant Franchises [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/recession-resistant-franchises/] (according to survey data) * Read: Starting a Business in a Recession? Five Things You Need To Know [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/starting-a-business-in-a-recession-5-things-you-need-to-know/] * Read: Best Recession-Resistant Business to Invest In [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/recession-proof-businesses/] * Watch: A Thriving Family FASTSIGNS Business [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/watch-a-thriving-family-fastsigns-business/] (great discussion about how they adjusted during Covid) Connect with Us: Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/] Follow us on Instagram, @franchisebusinessreview [https://instagram.com/franchisebusinessreview] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/fbr-insider/] Check us out on YouTube, @FranchiseBusinessReview [https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseBusinessReview] Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franchise-business-review]

The $112 Billion Industry Nobody's Talking About

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506088/fan_mail/new] Most franchise opportunities promise stability — but few are as resilient and rewarding as the commercial cleaning sector. In this episode, Allison Dudas dives into the booming world of cleaning and maintenance, revealing how this essential industry is not only recession-resistant but also a hidden goldmine for entrepreneurs willing to manage people, build relationships, and implement proven systems. Learn why the janitorial sector is projected to hit $112 billion by 2026, and how COVID skyrocketed its stature from essential service to critical partner in business continuity. Guest Paul Masters from Anago shares his eye-opening journey from skeptical newcomer to thriving master franchisee, illustrating how recurring revenue and diverse industries—ranging from chocolate manufacturing to jet engine repairs—make cleaning a uniquely scalable and stable business. You'll uncover: * The core differences between master franchisees and traditional franchise owners, and how they generate multiple streams of income with minimal overhead. * Key operational strategies that keep franchisees engaged and successful, from proactive quality inspections to exceptional customer communication. * The real factors behind income disparities in the sector, and what it takes to scale your franchise to six figures and beyond. * Why managing relationships and systems—more than just labor—drives job satisfaction, retention, and growth. * Who this model fits best—and who should probably steer clear.  This episode is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, franchise veterans, or anyone seeking a recession-resistant business with high satisfaction and scalability. If you're ready to uncover a robust, often overlooked industry that offers both stability and significant earning potential, this conversation with Paul Masters will change how you see the cleaning sector—and your future in franchising.  Resources * Download the Free Cleaning & Maintenance Sector Report [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/industry-reports/cleaning-sector-report/] * Explore other franchise industry reports [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/industry-reports/] * List: Top Recession-Resistant Franchise Brands [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/recession-resistant-franchises/] * Read: Sub-franchising, Master Franchisees, and Multi-Unit Area Developers: What You Need to Know [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/sub-franchising-master-franchise/] Connect with Us: Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/] Follow us on Instagram, @franchisebusinessreview [https://instagram.com/franchisebusinessreview] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/fbr-insider/] Check us out on YouTube, @FranchiseBusinessReview [https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseBusinessReview] Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franchise-business-review]

What Are The Most Profitable Franchises of 2026?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506088/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we announce our Most Profitable Franchises of 2026. We name 50 franchise brands in this list whose franchisees report higher earnings than the average. No brand can pay to be on this list! They are on it because of their high franchisee satisfaction scores thanks to FBR's market research.  This episode breaks down the characteristics of the most profitable brands of the year and what you should pay attention to when doing your franchise buying research.  Resources * Most Profitable Franchises of 2026 [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/most-profitable-franchises/] * Read: How to Find and Compare the Most Profitable Franchise Brands [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/how-to-find-the-most-profitable-franchise-opportunities/] * Listen: The Pros and Cons of Buying an Existing Franchise [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/s1e22-the-pros-and-cons-of-buying-an-existing-franchise/] * Listen: Announcing the Top 200 Franchises of 2026 [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/listen-announcing-the-top-franchises-of-2026/] * Listen: How Much Money Can You Make Owning A Franchise? [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/s1e14-how-much-money-can-you-make-owning-a-franchise/] * Listen: Consider an Exit Strategy Before You Invest in a Franchise [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/s1e16-consider-a-franchise-exit-strategy-before-investing/] * Read: Researching Franchises? How to Use FBR's Data [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/researching-franchises-how-to-use-fbrs-data/] Connect with Us: Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/] Follow us on Instagram, @franchisebusinessreview [https://instagram.com/franchisebusinessreview] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/fbr-insider/] Check us out on YouTube, @FranchiseBusinessReview [https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseBusinessReview] Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franchise-business-review]

What Is It Like to Be A Woman In Franchising?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506088/fan_mail/new] Host: Allison Dudas, Senior Manager of B2C Marketing at FBR Guest: Jill Kesler, Franchisee of Fish Window Cleaning This episode delves into the 2026 Women In Franchising Trends Report. It features Allison Dudas as the host and Jill Kesler, a franchisee from Fish Window Cleaning, as the guest. They discuss the increasing role of women in franchising, highlighting that women now own about a third of all franchises. Jill shares her journey from a career in sales and marketing to owning a Fish Window Cleaning franchise, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and strategic planning. The discussion also covers financial aspects, such as using SBA loans and personal financing, and offers advice for women considering franchising. The episode concludes with insights into the benefits of networking and understanding one's strengths in business. *Download the FREE 2026 Women in Franchising Report [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/industry-reports/women-in-franchising/] Resources * Read: The Pros and Cons of Working with A Franchise Broker [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/franchise-broker/] * Read: 5 Ways Franchising Offers Work Life Balance [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/5-ways-franchising-offers-work-life-balance/] * Read: 9 Small Business Grants for Female Entrepreneurs [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/9-best-small-business-grants-women/] * Read: Female Franchise Owners Rank the Top Franchises to Own in 2026 [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/women-in-franchising-see-the-top-franchises-for-women-in-2024/] * List: Top Franchises for Women [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/top-franchises-for-women/] * Sector Report: Women In Franchising 2026 [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/industry-reports/women-in-franchising/] * Listen: The Rise of Female Franchisees [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/s1e13-women-in-franchising-the-rise-of-female-franchisees/] Connect with Us: Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/] Follow us on Instagram, @franchisebusinessreview [https://instagram.com/franchisebusinessreview] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/fbr-insider/] Check us out on YouTube, @FranchiseBusinessReview [https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseBusinessReview] Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franchise-business-review]

What's It Like to Own a Retail Franchise

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506088/fan_mail/new] Jason Sharp’s journey from corporate healthcare to owning a pool supply franchise in Alabama reveals the real secret to success: building a community-focused team and letting your leadership shine behind the scenes. Discover how Jason’s strategic approach and operational systems turned a stagnant business into a thriving enterprise, even amidst COVID chaos.In this episode, you’ll learn: * How to identify and seize low-hanging fruit during a business acquisition * The importance of having a strong, engaged local team that embodies your vision * The critical role of systems—POS, inventory, and franchise support—in scaling operations with ease * The power of owner-operator presence versus behind-the-scenes leadership * Creative strategies to manage seasonality and off-season revenue streams in a niche industry If you’re contemplating franchising or buying an existing business, understanding the dynamics of community involvement, staff culture, and franchise support can make all the difference. Jason shares personal insights on navigating the seasonal swings of a pool business, hiring the right people, and maintaining customer loyalty—lessons applicable across any retail or service franchise.Why does most franchise success boil down to owner engagement and team culture? Because in retail, your business is only as strong as the relationships you build—both with your team and your customers. With proven systems and a dedicated support network, Jason’s story proves that with the right mindset, you don’t need to be in the water every day to run a profitable, scalable franchise.This episode is perfect for aspiring franchisees, small business owners, or anyone curious about how operational systems and community leadership fuel long-term success. Take this as your blueprint to avoid common pitfalls and unlock the true potential of retail franchise ownership. Connect with Us: Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/] Follow us on Instagram, @franchisebusinessreview [https://instagram.com/franchisebusinessreview] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/fbr-insider/] Check us out on YouTube, @FranchiseBusinessReview [https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseBusinessReview] Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/franchise-business-review]