1851

Franchising is tough. Good thing there are so many professionals who have been fighting the good franchise fight to figure out the best practices for franchisors and ‘zees in every industry.Whether 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 journey. So, with the help of <a href="https://www.seosamba.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SeoSamba</a> we’ve curated a list of the most influential people in franchising.No, these are not rankings, simply our collection of 100 influencers you should know, and frankly, who you should be connected to (good thing we’ve provided their LinkedIn links).We’ve been releasing the full list in chunks over the past two weeks. Here is our final batch. Now, get busy getting connected.<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183655_1614372577_ralph-yarusso.jpg"></figure><h4>Ralph Yarusso</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: Full Speed Automotive</li><li>Website: <a href="https://fullspeedautomotive.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://fullspeedautomotive.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-yarusso-cfe-4103a612/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-yarusso-cfe-4103a612/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>Experienced President, Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Development Officer, Business Development with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive industry. Strong business operational and development history, professional skilled in Negotiation, Budgeting, Business Planning, Operations Management, and Coaching.&nbsp;</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183710_1614372684_michelle-rowan.jpg"></figure><h4>Michelle Rowan</h4><ul><li>Type: Supplier</li><li>Company: Franchise Business Review</li><li>Website: <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchisebusinessreview.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemonroerowan/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemonroerowan/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>Since 2005, FBR has helped more than 1100 franchise brands to better understand franchisee, employee and candidate satisfaction, and improve performance:&nbsp;• WE HELP FRANCHISES ACHIEVE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES with actionable data to improve satisfaction, strengthen their brand, and increase revenue. Find out more: http://tour.franchisebusinessreview.com.&nbsp;• WE BRING TRANSPARENCY TO THE FRANCHISE INDUSTRY by offering the leading forum for franchisees to rate their brand &amp; empowering prospective franchisees with satisfaction research in our guides and via www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.&nbsp;</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183720_1614372713_brian-schnell.jpg"></figure><h4>Brian Schnell</h4><ul><li>Type: Supplier</li><li>Company: Faegre Drinker</li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.faegredrinker.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.faegredrinker.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-schnell-01107948?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-schnell-01107948</a></li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183735_1614372730_paul-pickett.jpg"></figure><h4>Paul Pickett</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: Wild Birds Unlimited</li><li>Website: <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchise.wbu.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-pickett-cfe-2b5b7711/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-pickett-cfe-2b5b7711/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>I have over 30 years of experience of 'Bringing People and Nature Together" as the VP of Franchise Development for Wild Birds Unlimited, leading the Franchise Development team to grow our franchise system to over 340 stores. Additionally, I manage all of the legal and real estate responsibilities for Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.&nbsp;</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183744_1614372758_jack-monson.jpg"></figure><h4>Jack Monson</h4><ul><li>Type: Supplier</li><li>Company: Social Geek Radio</li><li>Website: <a href="https://socialgeekradio.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://socialgeekradio.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmonson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmonson/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>Digital Marketing and Social Media Tactics to Exceed Business Goals.Marketing Leadership / New Business Development.Specialties: Franchise Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Podcasting, Story Telling, Marketing Consulting, Content Marketing, Marketing &amp; Sales Management, New Business Development, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Brand Journalism, Radio, Broadcasting.&nbsp;</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183755_1614372783_sean-manning.jpg"></figure><h4>Sean Manning</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: Payroll Vault</li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.payrollvault.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.payrollvault.com/franchise/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rseanmanning/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rseanmanning/</a></li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183765_1614372803_nancy-bigley.jpg"></figure><h4>Nancy Bigley</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: Painting with a Twist</li><li>Website: <a href="https://paintingwithatwistfranch/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://paintingwithatwistfranch</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancybigley/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancybigley/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>An experienced Franchise Operations Executive with a proven track record of increasing revenues and profits through the implementation of growth strategies, business practices, and systems that create a sustainable competitive advantage.&nbsp;A high-energy, driven, innovative and problem-solving leader focused on achieving strategic objectives while strengthening franchisee relations and cross-functional teams.</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183777_1614372827_fernando-ldc.jpg"></figure><h4>Fernando López de Castilla</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: Grupo Nexo Franquicia</li><li>Website: <a href="https://gnfworldwide.com/en/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://gnfworldwide.com/en/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-l%C3%B3pez-de-castilla-el%C3%ADas-cfe-a5107959/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-l%C3%B3pez-de-castilla-el%C3%ADas-cfe-a5107959/</a></li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183789_1614372851_mary-ann-o-connell.jpg"></figure><h4>Mary Ann O’Connell</h4><ul><li>Type: Supplier</li><li>Company: FranWise</li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.franwise.net/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.franwise.net/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannoconnell?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannoconnell</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>A franchise generalist with over 30 years of experience as a franchisee, franchisor and franchise consultant.&nbsp;Specialties: General franchise operations, training and documentation. Write, edit and maintain franchise operations brand standards manuals. Strategic planning. Feasibility studies. Operations reviews.&nbsp;Currently on the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA), First Vice Chair of the Supplier Forum Advisory Board and Chairman of the Membership Committee.&nbsp;Was the inaugural franchisee for Money Mailer, Inc. developing sales and marketing methods used by entire franchise system.&nbsp;Served as VP - Franchise Support Services of Money Mailer in the US, Canada and Chile. Included P&amp;L responsibility, training design and implementation, new product roll out, franchise support, customer service and conference and event planning.&nbsp;Served as Director of Operations for AIM Mail Centers. Revamped training program, manuals and unit-level economics, franchise relations.&nbsp;Regional Director of Great Clips, Inc. Launched the Southern California markets of the LA and San Diego DMAs and oversaw operations in NV, AZ and UT. Included P&amp;L responsibility, training and support of franchisees, franchise sales and leasing approvals and oversight.&nbsp;President of FranWise®, a full-service franchise consulting firm that launches new franchise concepts, creates franchise operations manuals and helps emerging brands optimize their operations and franchise relations.</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183802_1614372896_wes-barefoot.jpg"></figure><h4>Wes Barefoot</h4><ul><li>Type: Supplier</li><li>Company: FranChoice</li><li>Website: <a href="http://path2frdm.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://path2frdm.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>I help people take control of their lives and create Freedom for themselves through business ownership.&nbsp;As a Professional Franchise Consultant, I help the people I work with understanding franchising and determine if it might be a good fit for them. If it is, then I take them through a proven, and methodical process to develop a custom model, tailored to them based on their background, skill-sets, financial and lifestyle goals, that we then use to match them up with a franchise opportunity that's perfect for them!&nbsp;My services are free for the people I work with, and I've been able to help many people get into business for themselves, or add to their portfolio of businesses through franchising. I work with hundreds of the top franchise brands across virtually every industry. I only introduce the people I work franchise companies that have been vetted, and that I feel confident are the type of business that will allow them to achieve their goals.&nbsp;If you'd like to learn more about franchising, and my free services, please reach out and we can schedule a free consultation!</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1643183811_1614372924_roxane-harris.jpg"></figure><h4>Roxane Harris</h4><ul><li>Type: Franchisor</li><li>Company: H&amp;R Block</li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.hrblock.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.hrblock.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxaneharris/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-influencers-10-1-2715116" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxaneharris/</a></li><li>LinkedIn Bio:</li></ul><blockquote>Motivated business development and management Executive with 30+ years of proven leadership and results expertise. Experience at leading U.S. Retail organization comprised of 4 Regional Directors leading 20 Franchise Consultants and 1200+ franchise owners in over 3,000 locations while also overseeing an Operations Director and Practice Management team(24 FTE). Key strengths include identification of top talent, management of $200m P &amp; L, establishing strategic direction, partnering with business partners and ensuring business growth is achieved in accordance with strategic initiatives.</blockquote>

Top Franchise Influencers | 2019 Rankings | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

After reviewing more than 100 nominations, 1851 Franchise and SeoSamba have broken down our list of franchise influencers you should know.

Top Franchise Influencers: 10–1

top-franchise-influencers-10-1

Woofie's

Woofie's Wraps Up 2025 With 25 Franchise Deals Signed, Expanding Into Major Metros Across the U.S.

woofies-pet-ventures-2025-franchise-growth-year-end-wrap

image of woofies franchise, the Full-Service Pet Care Franchise for Modern Pet Parents

Your Pet’s Life Is Busy, Too. Woofie’s Makes Care Easy

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Woofie’s Is Building the Full-Service Pet Care Franchise for Modern Pet Parents and Authority Brands Is Accelerating the Momentum

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urSwim

image of urswim franchise Swim Lesson Model

Why urSwim’s Swim Lesson Model Is Built to Withstand Economic Downturns

urswim-recession-resilient-swim-school-franchise

America's Swimming Pool

image of americas swimming pool 2026 Owners Conference

America’s Swimming Pool Company Celebrates Franchise Growth and Excellence at 2026 Owners Conference

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Why Skilled Trades Are Emerging as the Economy’s Most AI-Resilient Careers

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The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems - 1851 Franchise

The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems

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Large Domino’s Franchisee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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Design with Precision Garage Door Service team members

RF Investment Partners and Burlington Capital Join Forces to Acquire Top Precision Garage Door Franchise

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Private Equity Fuels Jiffy Lube’s Next Chapter as Monomoy Strikes $1.3 Billion Deal

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<a href="https://hardeesfranchising.com/">Hardee’s</a>, a 65-year-old burger chain best known for its Thickburgers and breakfast biscuits, is facing a fast-moving round of closures driven by a franchise dispute rather than a bankruptcy filing.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/hardees-shutting-dozens-restaurants/91282586">Inc. recently reported that</a> 77&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286">Hardee’s</a> restaurants are expected to close within two weeks as one of the brand’s largest franchisees exits the system.&nbsp;According to the report, Hardee’s is suing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcburger.com/">ARC Burger</a> — a franchise operator owned by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.highbluffcap.com/">High Bluff Capital Partners</a> — alleging the company fell behind on required payments and other contract obligations. Twenty-eight locations had already gone dark as of late December, with remaining sites scheduled to shutter across eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming.&nbsp;At the center of the complaint is the franchising “stack” of ongoing fees and pass-through costs that keep a system running. ARC Burger allegedly owes more than $6.5 million, including royalties, advertising fund contributions, technology and training fees, rent and taxes, and that payments stopped in December 2024. Hardee’s also argued in the lawsuit that the franchisee’s cash flow was not being used to bring accounts current.&nbsp;Hardee’s, for its part, is framing the shutdowns as a contractual enforcement issue, not a brand-wide retrenchment. “These closures are a result of ARC Burger’s failure to cure its defaults under its franchise agreements, despite solid sales,” a Hardee’s spokesperson said.&nbsp;The situation highlights a familiar franchising pressure point: unit economics. Inc. reported that Hardee’s operates more than 1,800 U.S. restaurants and that average annual sales per location are less than $1.2 million, well below averages cited for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-wendys-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722520">Wendy’s</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-mcdonalds-franchise-2724654#stories">McDonald’s</a>. Lower volumes can leave franchisees with less room to absorb higher labor, food and occupancy costs while staying current on fees.&nbsp;Hardee’s said it is working to limit fallout for workers and communities and is looking for ways to reopen closed restaurants. For franchising, the next chapter will likely involve finding replacement operators, transferring sites and rebuilding compliance — a reminder that franchise growth depends as much on franchisee solvency and execution as it does on consumer demand.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/hardees-shutting-dozens-restaurants/91282586">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

The closures stem from alleged unpaid royalties and missed franchise obligations by a major operator, not a broader chainwide collapse for the Hardee’s system.

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

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North County Pizza Inc., a major&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-dominos-pizza-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2725506">Domino’s</a> franchisee, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection,&nbsp;<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-pizza-chain-franchisee-files-173300667.html">Yahoo! Finance recently reported</a>. The bankruptcy filing gives North County Pizza time to restructure its debt and reorganize its business, while pausing any legal actions against the company during the process.The Oceanside, California-based franchisee did not explain why it filed for bankruptcy or whether it plans to close locations or lay off employees. Franchisees across the restaurant industry have pointed to tough competition, higher labor and food costs, and expensive leases as reasons for restructuring or filing for bankruptcy.The franchisee filed for bankruptcy on March 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, reporting $100,000 to $1 million in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities.The announcement follows recent news that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-papa-johns-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2724607">Papa Johns</a> plans to close 300 underperforming restaurants, including 200 by the end of 2026, and cut 7% of its workforce. It also comes just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/">Yum! Brands</a> announced it was&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/yum-brands-pizza-hut-sale-2731599#franchise-news">considering a sale of Pizza Hut</a> and plans to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations.Together, these moves could point to a broader reset across the pizza franchise sector. For franchisees, this environment raises the stakes around site selection, cost control and operational efficiency, while also creating potential opportunities to capture market share as weaker locations exit the market.Read the original article <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-pizza-chain-franchisee-files-173300667.html">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">&nbsp;www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

The California-based franchisee seeks to restructure debt as closures and strategic shifts continue across major pizza brands like Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.

<a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/">Yum! Brands</a> is considering a potential sale of Pizza Hut and plans to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/consumer-services/nyse-yum/yum-brands/news/yum-brands-weighs-pizza-hut-sale-as-portfolio-reset-accelera">recent article on Simply Wall St</a>. For the franchising industry, the significance is less about the stock and more about what it says about how large franchisors are managing brand portfolios in a high-cost operating environment.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pizza-hut-franchise-deep-dive-2722519">Pizza Hut</a> is one of the most recognizable names in franchising. If Yum! decides to sell it, that would be a notable shift for a company built on a multi-brand platform. For years, large brand groups have argued that operating multiple concepts creates advantages, including shared resources, stronger purchasing power and the ability to invest in technology across the system. A sale would suggest Yum! believes those benefits no longer outweigh the effort required to improve Pizza Hut’s performance.The planned closures may have the most immediate impact on franchisees. When a franchisor reduces its footprint, it can change how the brand performs in local markets. Fewer locations can mean less convenience for customers, which can hurt overall traffic. It can also weaken the effect of local advertising when there are fewer restaurants supporting promotions in the same trade area.Closures can also affect store-level economics in ways that go beyond the locations that shut down. In some markets, remaining franchisees may pick up some displaced demand. In others, customers may switch to competitors. The changes can also affect local co-op advertising budgets and, depending on how purchasing and distribution are structured, can influence costs tied to volume.The move comes as competition in pizza remains intense, with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-dominos-pizza-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2725506">Domino’s</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-papa-johns-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2724607">Papa Johns</a> continuing to push delivery, digital ordering and value-focused offers. Simply Wall St notes Yum! has been rolling out its Byte digital platform across brands. If Yum! changes Pizza Hut’s role in the portfolio, it could also change where the company focuses its technology and marketing investment.For franchise systems watching from the outside, Yum!’s review is a reminder that growth is not always the main priority. Sometimes the bigger decision is whether a legacy brand can be improved inside a platform or whether it will perform better under a different owner and a different plan.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/consumer-services/nyse-yum/yum-brands/news/yum-brands-weighs-pizza-hut-sale-as-portfolio-reset-accelera">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Yum! Brands Pizza Hut Sale - 1851 Franchise

Yum! is reviewing the brand and closing 250 U.S. locations, a move that could affect franchisees and reshape its restaurant portfolio.

Possible Pizza Hut Sale Signals Shift in Yum! Brands’ Franchise Strategy

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The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/">International Franchise Association</a> has released its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/franchising-economic-outlook/">Franchising Economic Outlook</a> report for 2026, painting the picture for a positive year of growth after notable economic turbulence in 2025.“The resilience of franchising has enabled our model to adapt, endure and thrive in the face of challenging macroeconomic headwinds,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller">Matt Haller</a>, IFA president and CEO, said in a release. "After a year of recalibration, franchising is better positioned to navigate an improving economic environment than independent businesses due to tax certainty, lower interest rates and investments in AI that will propel brand growth, franchisee unit-level economics and wage growth for the franchise workforce."The report features key industry projections for the year, including:<ul><li>The addition of over 12,000 new franchised businesses</li><li>The addition of over 150,000 jobs — meaning the industry will represent nearly 8.9 million jobs</li><li>An increase in total franchise GDP from $549.9 to $558.4 billion</li><li>An increase in multi-unit ownership as current single-unit franchisees pursue scale</li></ul>In addition to the strength of the industry as a whole, the organization highlighted segment-specific trends.&nbsp;<ul><li>This year, child services and commercial and residential services are recognized as top performers, expected to achieve a 3.2% year-over-year growth rate.</li><li>A focus on experiential dining, rather than value alone, may drive full-service restaurants to outpace quick-service brands in output growth.</li><li>Preventive health care has risen to be the third-largest franchised industry, and it represents strong opportunities as consumer awareness surrounding preventive health care persists.</li></ul>In terms of growth markets, Texas continues to lead the country as the fastest-growing state for franchising, followed by Florida, Georgia, Arizona and North Carolina. Michigan, Ohio and Utah have joined the top 10 this year thanks to their relative affordability and the potential they offer for market leadership and long-term growth.The outlook for 2026 is upbeat, and the drivers behind it look different than they did a few years ago. More brands are putting AI and automation to work in day-to-day operations, which helps franchisees move faster on basics like scheduling and inventory and stay tighter on margins.The growth in multi-unit ownership points to a shift in how people are approaching franchising. More operators are treating it like a scalable investment, focused on building an asset, not just buying themselves a job.As the year ramps up, IFA’s data suggests growth in 2026 will be driven by those leveraging the scale of the franchise model, embracing a tech-forward approach to business ownership, and staying agile in an evolving business landscape.Find the full 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/franchising-economic-outlook/">here</a>.

Highlighting child services and commercial and residential services as top performers, the organization predicts the industry will add over 150,000 jobs and increase its GDP by billions this year.

IFA Releases 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook Report, Predicting Over 12,000 New Franchised Businesses This Year

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Newk’s Eatery Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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Amada Senior Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Amada Senior Care is a non-medical home care, assisted living placement, and related senior-support services with multiple revenue streams.

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The linear sales funnel is dying. Prospective buyers are no longer filling out a form at first glance and waiting for the phone to ring. They’re doing the majority of the heavy lifting before they even make themselves known to the franchisor. For franchisors, this means one key thing: you must know exactly where candidates spend their time. No guesswork. And you have to adjust your strategy accordingly.And, in today's buyer world, the biggest buzz term is 2026's ride or die for franchise brands – Ai.&nbsp;If you are trying to sell a franchise today, you must meet candidates where they are (four walls, Ai, website, social advertising).&nbsp;Focusing on a strong digital footprint first and then lead generation will help the brand with validation and will lay the foundation for trust before the first conversation even happens. Still, franchisors must know where to find their candidates and be confident the candidates are being sent to the right place.“We consistently see the strongest lead performance from Google Search (paid and organic), social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and our franchise development website,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlsnyder">Erin Snyder</a>, head of franchise development at&nbsp;<a href="https://handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise/">Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream</a>. “Because all awareness and advertising efforts ultimately funnel candidates to our development site, maintaining a highly optimized, mobile-first web presence is critical for conversion.”<h2>The "Hidden" Channels: Authentic Research via AiSEO</h2>While Google and major portals are often where a candidate might start a broad search, the deep research happens in the shadows. This is where candidates scroll, mindlessly or otherwise, simply observing rather than clicking “apply” immediately; or, ask Ai chatbots about the best franchises to buy, the blind spots, the why nots, and, of course, the whys.Right now, Ai plays a key role in this research stage. Buyers want the truth.&nbsp;For franchisors, this means your content strategy must pivot. It is no longer enough to post stock photos of happy business owners. You must document the journey, showing the behind-the-scenes reality that proves your concept has staying power.<h2>The Pivot From Print to Digital Interactivity</h2>While print media has been a channel for franchise development in the past, its static nature has made it less effective as the buyer’s journey has shifted to digital. Buyers are generally looking for channels that will allow them to click, read and continue the search immediately.“Traditional print media has largely become a thing of the past for franchise development,” Snyder said. “What has been encouraging, though, is seeing many of these publications successfully pivot to digital formats that offer greater interactivity, stronger analytics and far better linkability than print ever could.”This creates a more dynamic experience for the candidate. In addition to a digital article, franchisors can embed a “day in the life” video, for example, or hyperlink a deeper dive on costs and profits for instant validation.This shift also allows franchisors to track return on investment more effectively. Instead of guessing if an article or ad worked, digital publications allow you to see exactly who clicked through, allowing for retargeting and smarter budget allocation.<h2>The Conversion Hub: Your Mobile-First Website</h2>Once a candidate has discovered you on Google, watched your videos on TikTok and read about you in a digital publication, they finally arrive at the destination: your franchise development website.This is the bottom of the funnel, where you will win or lose a candidate. Because all other channels point here, your website cannot just be a digital brochure. It has to be a conversion engine. And crucially, it must work perfectly on a smartphone.The question can’t just be “Do we have a website?” Questions about the website should surround usability and readability. Is navigation easy on a smartphone? Does the site load quickly? Is it readable? If a prospect has to pinch-and-zoom to read your investment costs and financial performance, they will leave.An optimized, mobile-first presence is critical because it serves as the collection point; all other awareness efforts funnel potential franchisees to the site. The user experience here should validate the trust built on other channels. However, accessibility is only half the battle; the content itself must be unsparingly open. The website is the channel where you must prove your value proposition with hard data.“Across all channels, the messaging needs to be clear, concise and consistent,” Snyder said. “Candidates should be able to easily find transparent investment ranges and financial requirements, a clear value proposition, compelling franchisee success stories, key differentiators from competitors and straightforward next steps for how to inquire.”When you treat your website as a transparency engine rather than a gatekeeper, you change the dynamic of the eventual sales call. A candidate who has already consumed your financial data and success stories arrives at the inquiry stage educated and qualified. This allows the development team to skip the basic fact-finding and move straight to strategy and fit.“When a candidate submits an inquiry, the first conversation should build on what the candidate has already learned,” Snyder said “ensuring they understand the opportunity they are considering, clarifying details, personalizing the discussion to their goals and moving them into a structured education process rather than starting from scratch.”<h2>Allocating the Budget: The "Ideal Candidate" Approach</h2>While a presence across multiple channels — from search and social to digital publications — is key, understanding exactly how much to invest in each option is the next hurdle. There is no single, magical approach to budgeting; a brand selling multi-million-dollar franchises needs to develop a presence in different places than a low-cost, mobile franchise will.To spend effectively, you must deeply understand your ideal franchisee profile. Once you know who is investing, you can begin working on where to find them. For example, a high-net-worth investor might be on LinkedIn and reading digital trade journals, while a first-time investor or someone seeking an owner-operator model might be influenced by local Facebook ads.“Franchisors should start by understanding their ideal franchisee profile and then allocate budget toward the channels where those prospects spend the most time,” Snyder said. “The mix will naturally look different for a high-investment, multi-unit candidate than for a first-time owner-operator. Beyond that, it’s critical to consider overall brand awareness and invest in channels that consistently get both the brand and the franchise opportunity in front of qualified prospects. A balanced approach that supports both awareness and lead capture tends to produce the strongest results.”<h2>Key Takeaways and Next Steps:</h2>Make sure you have a content footprint that answers the top 25 questions asked about your brand in Ai and Google searchs.Review your mobile experience: Open your franchise development site on your phone. If it takes more than three seconds to load or if the "Apply" button is hard to find, fix it immediately.Embrace "lo-fi" video content: You don't need a production crew. Use a smartphone to record "day in the life" videos with your franchisees and post them to social to build authentic trust.Ensure transparency and continuity:&nbsp;Candidates need to be able to find the information they’re looking for, and the experience should be consistent between a social page and a franchise development site. Make sure your value proposition is clear across all channels.Embrace innovation, but don’t count out the classics:&nbsp;Look at the whole picture. Many candidates are exploring opportunities on supplemental platforms like social media or in the results of a Google search, but they’re still looking at the franchise development site, too. Don’t confine yourself to the “old reliable” methods, but don’t leave them behind, either.Budget by persona, not platform: Don't just "do Facebook ads." Define exactly who your buyer is, and spend your money only on the channels where that specific person consumes content.For more information on franchise growth channels, check out these related stories on 1851 Franchise:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-use-social-media-marketing-to-promote-your-franchise-2727185#stories">How To Use Social Media Marketing To Promote Your Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/building-a-franchise-website-that-converts-key-features-and-best-practices-2727363#stories">Building a Franchise Website That Converts: Key Features and Best Practices</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfduHqGy7I">How to Sell Franchises | The Buyer Persona</a></li></ul>

To succeed in the shifting landscape, franchisors must understand the buyer’s journey, identify the ideal franchisee profile, and build a digital presence that meets candidates where they are.

How To Sell Franchises in 2026 — Top Channels Franchise Buyers Use Before They Inquire

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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Top Franchise Influencers: 10–1

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