How I Franchised This

Calvin Smith, a former U.S. Marine and multi-brand franchise owner, delves into his remarkable journey from military life to entrepreneurship. He discusses how franchising provided a blueprint for growth after early struggles with startups. Calvin emphasizes the unique strengths veterans bring to business ownership, such as leadership and adaptability. He also highlights common pitfalls new franchisees make and stresses the importance of thorough research and due diligence. His insights offer invaluable guidance for aspiring franchise owners looking to avoid costly mistakes.

This week, we’re turning the mic around. Franzy’s CEO and co-founder, Alex Smereczniak, joins fellow team member Alex Vidor for a deep dive into his own journey — from launching a student laundry startup to raising $30M+ for 2ULaundry, to becoming a multi-unit franchisee of the golf simulator concept Another 9. You’ll hear: Why Alex decided to "eat his own cooking" and buy into a franchise How Franzy is fixing what’s broken in the franchise discovery process The playbook for site selection, finding a partner, and scaling past 1 unit What most people get totally wrong about franchising If you’ve ever thought about owning a business but didn’t know where to start, this is the episode for you.

Vivek Shah, an Air Force veteran and multi-unit franchisee of Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, shares his remarkable journey from flying F-15s to entrepreneurship. He dives into how his military discipline shaped his business strategies, the challenges of building out new locations, and why franchising suits his meticulous mindset. Vivek explores why certain personalities should avoid franchising and emphasizes the importance of choosing trusted advisors. He also imagines gifting franchises to his kids, showcasing the blend of passion and business.

Brian Gross, a former wealth-management pro turned franchise owner, shares insights from his experience selling the Art of Drawers Tampa territory. Sid Kinghar, a first-time entrepreneur from corporate finance, discusses his journey to acquiring that franchise. They delve into the mechanics of franchise resales, emphasizing the importance of valuation, negotiation, and trust. Both share the challenges they faced and what they wish existed to simplify the resale process, while offering candid advice for aspiring buyers and sellers in the franchise world.

Kal started out slinging pizzas at Little Caesars and ended up running one of the most diverse and fast-growing franchise portfolios in the country. In this episode, he joins Alex Smereczniak to unpack the full journey—how he went from investment banking to buying butcher shops and pizzerias, to opening OrangeTheory gyms, and now scaling some of the hottest brands in franchising like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Marco’s Pizza, and Pop-Up Bagels. You’ll hear: Why Kal’s franchise diligence looks more like equity research The exact capital structures he uses to finance 7- and 8-figure rollups How he thinks about brand selection, from tech-forward ops to red flags What every operator needs to know before going from 2 to 20 to 100+ units If you're serious about scaling in franchising, this episode is a masterclass in how to think—and build—like a multi-unit powerhouse. Learn more about starting your own franchise empire at franzy.com

In this engaging discussion, Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX and Marine Corps veteran, shares his unique journey from undercover narcotics work to leading a real estate empire. He dives into the concept of 'narc marketing' and the pivotal role franchising plays in building communities. Adam emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts for new franchisees and how Area 15 Ventures is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of leaders. He highlights trends in responsible franchising and predicts AI's impact on operations—all while stressing the value of high standards and accountability.

What happens when you're literally born into franchising? In this episode of How I Franchised This, Alex sits down with GR Waldrop—a second-generation operator who grew up making subs at Jersey Mike’s and now runs a growing portfolio that includes 19+ locations, a Dairy Queen, and a new deal with Vicious Biscuit. They talk legacy, leadership, and what it really takes to scale from 1 to 20 units—and beyond. GR shares why your first store should be run like you already have three, how he’s preparing to open his first 3,000 sq ft full-service brunch spot, and what most people completely misunderstand about royalties, playbooks, and the “people business” behind every successful franchise. Whether you're a first-time operator or eyeing your tenth brand, this one’s packed with hard-won insight. 👀 Looking for your perfect franchise fit? Start your journey at Franzy.com

Taylor Byington and Shideler Bennett went from pitching insurance door-to-door to opening nine Crumbl Cookies locations across three states. In this episode, they share their unconventional path into franchising, including a failed startup, a surprise introduction to Crumbl, and what happened when they realized they were hundreds of thousands in the red. From living on couches to laying tile themselves, Taylor and Shy break down how they clawed their way back, what they learned about financing (and mis-financing), and why their new startup, Cover Panda, is built to help other operators scale smarter. 👉 Explore franchise opportunities at Franzy.com

Jon Bahr didn’t come from food service. He came from real estate finance. But after bingeing franchise podcasts and hearing Dan Reese pitch Milkshake Factory, he and his wife took the leap, signing a three-unit deal while juggling a new baby and no prior restaurant experience. In this episode, Jon shares how he: Went from franchise curious to all-in with Milkshake Factory Navigated site selection, build-out headaches, and opening chaos Built a team that crushed their grand opening with record sales Balances 90-hour weeks with newborn life—and why he loves it You’ll also hear Jon’s advice for first-time buyers, what most people get wrong about franchising, and why passion has to play a role in your decision. 👉 Explore franchises like Milkshake Factory at Franzy.com

Parker Feldmann didn’t plan on running a kids’ fitness franchise—he was working 20-hour shifts at Tesla when he and his wife started rethinking their future. A friend introduced them to KidStrong, and just over a year later, they opened their first location in Reno. In this episode, Parker shares how his Air Force and engineering background shaped his approach to business ownership, what it was really like launching with a newborn at home, and how he’s planning for location #2. You’ll hear his take on hiring the right GM early, dealing with post-launch doubts, and why passion—not just profit—matters in franchising. 👉 Explore franchise opportunities like KidStrong at Franzy.com