Top Franchise Marketing Leaders: Lindsey McFadden — Chief Marketing Officer, Stretch Zone

Name: Lindsey McFadden
Role: Chief Marketing Officer
Brand: Stretch Zone

Lindsey McFadden is a marketing pro known for her ability to turn franchise complexity into clarity. For the franchise industry as a whole, she views marketing as inseparable from unit-level economics. She believes the future of franchising lies in deep consumer loyalty built through genuine connection, not just digital impressions.

Q&A With Lindsey McFadden, Chief Marketing Officer, Stretch Zone

1851 Franchise: What do you love most about franchise marketing?

Lindsey McFadden: What I love most about franchise marketing is that it’s a puzzle you’re constantly trying to solve. Different markets bring different challenges, and having different owners with different backgrounds adds another layer of complexity. Trying to deliver consistent services no matter what the variable is a forever moving target.

Being able to provide tools, systems, processes and campaigns that are meaningful across those various elements always keeps me on my toes.

1851: What is the single most important thing franchise marketing pros can do to impact franchisees’ unit-level economics?

McFadden: Marketing should always be focused on unit-level economics. So often, marketing is viewed only as a cost, but every initiative should have an expected outcome — an ROI tied to it.

It’s really important that a corporate team supporting franchisees can paint that picture and explain why an initiative or tactic is meaningful to them at the unit level.

1851: What is the largest marketing opportunity for franchise brands today?

McFadden: One of the biggest opportunities is creating a product or service that is consistent, so no matter where a consumer engages with your brand, they know exactly what to expect.

Being able to do that while still allowing for local customization — the local flair that resonates in a specific market—that’s where the magic happens.

1851: What marketing trends do you expect to define 2026?

McFadden: Everyone is talking about AI and how people are integrating agents into various businesses, but what I see for 2026 is a real focus on connection.

With major global events like the World Cup and the Winter Olympics, there is a heightened cultural appetite for coming together. Brands are constantly searching for ways to create that kind of connection with customers. To me, 2026 is all about connection.

1851: What is your bold prediction for what’s next in marketing?

McFadden: My prediction is tied to loyalty. Consumers have more options at their fingertips than ever before. On a go-forward basis, loyalty driven through meaningful customer engagement is going to be paramount.

The digital ad space is increasingly noisy — people’s feeds are flooded with information. If your brand can stand out in all of that, and consistently build loyalty through real engagement, that’s what will truly matter.

Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and see what we can do for you.