How I Franchised This

Scaling from one location to many takes more than ambition — it takes smart financing. In this highlights episode, we dig into how successful operators structure funding for multi-unit franchise growth. First, Crumbl franchisees Taylor Byington and Shideleler Bennett share how they raised friends-and-family money, the mistakes that left them cash-strapped, and the smarter financing structure they’d use if they could start over. Then, Kal Gullapalli — a multi-brand operator with over 100 units — breaks down how larger deals are financed, from equity splits and debt terms to lender relationships and fund structures. If you’re planning to grow beyond a single unit, this episode shows how top franchisees finance the leap. 🎧 From How I Franchised This — powered by Franzy.

Sherman Walters grew up sleeping in an ice cream cone box at his family’s Dairy Queen—literally. What started as his father’s handwritten napkin deal in the 1970s turned into a 50-year family business that spanned generations. In this episode, Sherman shares how his family built and eventually sold their Dairy Queen locations, the lessons he learned stepping away from the counter to become a restaurant broker, and why every franchisee—no matter their size—should start with an exit strategy. We dive into: The surprising origin story of one of Charlotte’s oldest Dairy Queen locations How to emotionally detach from your business (and why it matters for valuation) The realities of selling a franchise and structuring your lease right Why franchising isn’t about control—it’s about knowing your strengths Whether you’re running your first store or planning your next acquisition, this episode is packed with real-world insights from someone who’s lived both sides of the franchising table.

Josh Emison served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps before becoming a franchise owner in Denver. Today, he and his wife operate three Tippi Toes territories, a mobile dance program for young children. Their journey started with a simple goal—to build something of their own—and grew into a thriving local business that blends structure, leadership, and community. In this episode, Josh shares how his military background shaped his leadership style and why the systems and training culture of franchising felt like a natural fit. He talks about following the franchisor’s playbook, trusting good people, and learning that success often comes from doing the basics exceptionally well. Josh also opens up about an earlier chapter in his career, when he launched a blockchain startup that collapsed during the FTX fallout. That experience pushed him toward franchising—where the focus is on steady, proven growth rather than hype or volatility. We cover how he and his wife divided responsibilities, handled a major summer drop-off in customers, and built systems to reach their next growth milestone of 1,000 enrolled students. Josh closes with advice for aspiring owners, especially veterans: find the right fit, talk to franchisees directly, get real financial help, and never underestimate how capable you already are.

Patricia Rincón and Felipe Lastra share their journey into franchise ownership with LuminLash in Houston. After careers in oil and gas, they decided to invest in themselves and their family by acquiring an existing eyelash extension studio. In this episode, they discuss choosing franchising over starting from scratch, what they learned in the early months, and how they’re planning for future growth.

Ashley Clark never planned on franchising. Fresh out of Clemson and headed for law school, a single suggestion from her dad led to a Kilwins inquiry and, twelve years later, a six-store operation across four states with five more in the pipeline. In this episode, Ashley breaks down how she and her husband went all in, financed growth through SBA and conventional debt, built systems, and learned to lead at scale. What you’ll learn How Ashley bought her first store and went cash positive on day one The leap from one to two units including selling their house to fund the deal When SBA makes sense and when conventional lending opens up Why franchising still feels entrepreneurial The mindset shift from operator to multi-unit leader Systems, people, and the biggest misconceptions about franchising

Barry Meisel grew up in the Philippines as the child of missionaries, built an early career in corporate America, and then made the leap into multi-unit franchising. In this episode of How I Franchised This, host Alex Smereczniak dives into Barry’s remarkable path — from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Fortune 50 financial services to becoming CFO of a 30-unit franchise group and ultimately owning 12 salons across Illinois and Wisconsin. You’ll hear how Barry: Turned formative overseas experiences into an entrepreneurial mindset Built relationships that led to unexpected opportunities (and why he says “take the call, take the meeting”) Structured creative financing, including seller financing, to acquire existing units Leads and motivates a dispersed team while living hundreds of miles away If you’re thinking about buying a franchise or moving from corporate to business ownership, this conversation is packed with practical tips, honest lessons, and inspiration.

Cody Weaver went from selling golf balls out of ponds as a kid, to launching edgy novelty products in college, to building a decade-long career in footwear with Steve Madden and Dolce Vita. Today he’s a Donatos Pizza franchise partner in Fort Mill, South Carolina. In this episode of How I Franchised This, host Alex Smereczniak talks with Cody about his path from entrepreneur to intrapreneur to franchisee, how he spotted an opportunity in his own backyard, what it’s really like balancing a corporate leadership role with running a high-volume restaurant, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re thinking about your first franchise or curious how successful operators make the leap, this episode offers a candid look at the realities behind the headlines.

What began as a summer project cleaning grills in Toronto has become a fast-growing franchise. Michael Sutton walks through the scrappy early days, the boost from Dragon’s Den, and the decision to scale through franchising. He talks about the shift from managing techs to leading franchisees, bringing on a COO, and the importance of picking the right operators. Plus, his advice for entrepreneurs considering their first franchise investment.   Check out Grill Hero on Franzy: https://franzy.com/franchises/grill-hero

In this episode of How I Franchised This, Alex Vidor steps in as host and sits down with Stephen Tong, a former law enforcement officer who traded 12-hour shifts and overtime cycles for entrepreneurship in the turf industry. Stephen shares how his background in policing prepared him for business ownership, why time and family were central to his decision to leave law enforcement, and how Franzy guided him through evaluating multiple brands before finding the right fit with Waterloo Turf. Hear how Stephen navigated the first 90 days of ownership, the support he’s received from Waterloo, and the lessons he’s learned about managing people, growth, and grit. Whether you’re considering franchising, curious about career transitions, or inspired by stories of betting on yourself, Stephen’s journey offers practical insights and motivation.

This week’s episode takes a different spin. With CEO Alex Smereczniak out, VP of Business Development Alex Vidor steps into the host seat to interview Franzy’s cofounder and COO, Chris Wright. Chris shares his journey into franchising, why he made the leap to cofound Franzy, and the lessons he’s learned building and scaling the company. The conversation also zooms out into the bigger franchising picture — from why 2025 is such an interesting time to become a franchisee, to how AI and economic trends are reshaping the industry, to what multi-unit owners think about differently than first-time buyers. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or already own multiple units, this candid conversation offers valuable insights into where franchising is headed.  Check us out at Franzy.com