site_logo
bannerIndustry Spotlight

2022’s Top Franchise Influencers: 105–96

Once again, 1851 Franchise and SeoSamba have teamed up to find the most influential influencers in the franchise world.

By Ben Warren1851 Franchise Managing Editor
Updated 6:06AM • 02/11/22

Franchising is a big world, and it’s only getting bigger. Still, it’s a community, and a fairly close-knit community at that. Franchisors and franchisees across brands are constantly kept abreast of what their colleagues and competitors are up to, eager to implement best practices and leverage the industry’s best ideas. 

That’s why it’s essential for everyone in the industry to know who’s who. Whether you are buying a franchise, franchising your business, growing your franchise or looking for general information on franchising, tapping into the franchise world’s thriving community is vital to your success.

To that end, 1851 Franchise has teamed up with SeoSamba to bring you a list of the most influential people in franchising. 

Publishing throughout the month of February, this list is not a ranking, but a collection of 175 franchise industry professionals we think you should know. To help you connect, we’ve provided links to each professional’s LinkedIn page where available. So read on, and get busy building your network!

John Goldasich

LinkedIn Bio:

Managing Director with Arlington Capital Advisors, a boutique investment bank specializing in middle-market mergers & acquisitions, recapitalizations and equity raises. Our firm advises buy-side and sell-side companies, $30 million - $1.5 billion in value, across multiple industries but with considerable experience and focus within all consumer sectors (consumer products, consumer services, craft beer, restaurants, franchising, education, direct-to-consumer, fitness and healthcare services).

John Hayes

LinkedIn Bio:

I teach franchising to: college students who seek a career in franchising; people who want to buy a franchise; business owners who want to franchise a business; and Certified Franchise Executives. I'm an Amazon #1 best-selling author of several books covering business, marketing, franchising and biography. Frequent speaker at franchise conferences internationally; advisor to franchisors and prospective franchisees

John Motta

LinkedIn Bio:

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Catering, Soccer, Budgeting, Food & Beverage, and Market Planning.

Jon Ostenson

LinkedIn Bio:

Jon is a consultant, owner/investor, author, and international speaker specializing in the area of non-food franchising. He draws on his experience as both the president of an Inc. 500 franchise system and as a multi-brand franchisee in serving his consulting clients that are looking to explore business ownership opportunities. 

Jon serves as CEO of FranBridge Consulting where he helps clients understand all aspects of non-food franchising in the process of introducing them to opportunities from the over 300 high growth brands that he represents. Additionally, Jon oversees FranBridge Capital where he and his partners own 18 territories across 5 property service franchises.

Jon is the author of 'The Franchise Path' and is a frequent contributor and thought leader for publications on the topic of franchising and franchise investments. Prior to FranBridge, Jon was the President of ShelfGenie, a national franchise system with 200 locations. 

Prior to ShelfGenie, Jon was the Vice President of Sales for Carter’s Inc., responsible for over $350M in annual sales. Jon began his career as a Consultant with Accenture, often working Internationally on behalf of clients.

Jon received a BBA in Finance, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia's Honors Program in 2002 and returned to Athens 3 years later to earn his MBA. In 2014, the UGA Alumni Association selected Jon as a recipient of its “40 Under 40” recognition.

Jon and his wife have three young children and are active in the community. Jon sits on the Board of Directors for Growing Leaders, Inc. and serves as a mentor through several non-profit organizations.

Jonathan Weathington

LinkedIn Bio:

As a Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the retail and restaurant industry, my desire focuses around bringing out the absolute best results in my teammates and co-workers. With a combination of analytical thinking, servant leadership, and true cultural dependency, we work together to achieve real results. A proven systems developer and implementer, as well as an empiricist, my goal revolves around never losing status as a trusted advisor to colleagues and customers. 

Julian Chong

LinkedIn Bio:

Do you have an established business and want to grow? Franchising your business could be the answer. 

Franchising offers a multitude of benefits both to the franchisor and franchisees. With over 35+ years owning and operating its own brands, Accurate Franchising Inc is uniquely positioned to assist you through the Franchise Development process both here in Australia as well as in the US.

Julie Selby

LinkedIn Bio:

Julie is the Founder and CEO of Board & Brush Creative Studio. Board & Brush Creative Studio is the original and fastest-growing DIY franchise in the nation and was ranked 39th out of 150 of the Top Fastest Growing Franchises for 2019 in the March issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. 

Board & Brush Creative Studio is a place for creating fun and unique wood decor projects from scratch. Our instructor-led classes guide customers through the entire creative process, from raw materials to final product all in a fun environment with friends and family. We take the latest trends, create unique designs, and combine them with modern techniques to create a timeless, wall-worthy piece that will be the envy of your guests.

Justin M. Klein 

LinkedIn Bio:

Justin M. Klein is one of the leading franchise and business attorneys in the United States. Chambers USA describes Justin as: "one of the top lawyers" in the United States; “a very passionate lawyer”, “very strong, savvy and efficient”, “a big picture guy”. He is one of only 138 lawyers from throughout the United States and 323 attorneys worldwide named to the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers. He is recognized in the ‘Legal Eagle’ Hall of Fame as one of the nation’s leading franchise attorneys by the Franchise Times, and has been designated a New Leader of the Bar, one of the top 40 lawyers under 40 years of age, by the New Jersey Law Journal. He is also a New Jersey Super Lawyer. 

As a founding partner of the nationally recognized firm of Marks & Klein, LLP, Justin’s practice focuses on all aspects of the franchise relationship: from negotiation, acquisition and expansion, to dispute resolution. Justin has served as lead counsel in many of the most prominent franchise matters and has quarterbacked hundreds of millions of dollars of franchise M&A transactions, both domestically and internationally, in franchise systems large and small. Justin also counsels businesses on methods of expansion through franchising, licensing, intellectual property issues and enforcement, formation of strategic partnerships and other methods of distribution. 

Justin also helps business owners protect the wealth they have amassed by implementing effective estate planning, wealth management, asset protection and business succession strategies. 

Justin is the current co-chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Franchise Section and is a former chair of the New York State Bar Association Franchise Section.

Katrina Mitchell

LinkedIn Bio:

Hi! Katrina Mitchell here, Chief Match Maker & Founder of Franchise Speakers. 

As you can imagine, we have transformed our business in the last 10 months moving from leaders in the LIVE franchise speaker arena to specialists in creating engaging and provocative experiences for franchisees & franchisors via VIRTUAL and Livestream delivery. 

As the ONLY speakers bureau in the world to focus exclusively on franchising, we are the industry go-to experts.

For more than 12 years, we have helped over 350 brands find relevant, timely, and topical speakers, trainers, emcees and entertainers. And while EVERYONE is new to the world of virtual engagement, here are the 3 most common challenges that have emerged overnight: 

 1. How do I know if a presenter has the skills to deliver effectively in the virtual world? 

 2. Where do I find talent who will understand our brand, and support us with relevant tools that we can apply now? 

 3. We have limited funds right now, how can I get this all done in the most cost-effective way? 

We help you solve these challenges by: 

 ? SAVING TIME & ENERGY by presenting targeted, vetted, & carefully curated speakers 

 ? MITIGATING RISK by taking care of all speakers details & providing experienced back up 

 should things go sideways 

 ? SAVING RESOURCES WITH OUR FREE SERVICE - our commission is earned from placing 

 our speaker partners with a great new client 

I believe that each of us can create immeasurable waves of positive influence by how we show up in the world every day. My personal code and our professional culture is based on the values of Kindness, Respect, Integrity, Communication, Trust, Fun, and Love. 

Helping franchise business owners not only survive but THRIVE is our passion. 

We know the franchise world. It’s all we do. 

Katy Richardson

LinkedIn Bio:

Founder and CEO of NEIGHBORHOOD barre, a barre franchise with 21 locations throughout the southeast. Currently offering franchises throughout the United States, concentrating in the Southeast and East Coast!

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

editorial

How to Successfully Build a Home Services Franchise Brand

editorial

4 Innovative Franchise Models Breaking the Mold

editorialPlay

Tim Katsch’s Journey From Franchise Executive Roles to Franchise Executive Search

editorial

5 Ways to Craft a Strong Brand Identity for Your Franchise

NEXT ARTICLE