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Welcome to Creme de la Creme: Franchise Industry News - a publication that brings you the latest news from the franchise world’s most influential characters.
Sit back and relax as SeoSamba brings you highlights from the incredible world of franchise influencers, shedding light on the latest developments and achievements within the franchise industry.
Nominate the Top Franchise Influencers of 2025
Do you know someone shaping the future of franchising? It’s time to honor the visionaries, trailblazers, and rising stars who are driving innovation and creating lasting success stories in the franchise world.
Click here to nominate your favorite Franchise Influencer.
About the SeoSamba Top 100 Global Franchise Influencers
The SeoSamba Top 100 Global Franchise Influencers celebrates the leaders who are setting trends, building world-class brands, and inspiring the franchise industry. From social media innovators to behind-the-scenes dealmakers, these individuals define excellence and elevate the community.
Who Makes the List?
The Top 100 recognizes:
- Franchise Powerhouses: Transforming local businesses into global brands.
- Visionary Dealmakers: Driving groundbreaking achievements behind the scenes.
- Emerging Voices: Rising talents shaping the future of franchising.
Through their expertise, passion, and impact, these influencers are setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Why It Matters
This prestigious honor highlights individuals whose contributions resonate across the franchise community, inspiring others and driving the industry forward. Making the list is more than recognition—it’s a testament to enduring influence and success.
Get Involved
Nominations are now open. Whether it’s yourself or someone you admire, now is the time to shine a spotlight on franchising’s finest. Remember, votes are a key factor in measuring influence, so rally your network to show their support!
Nominate Now and stay tuned as we unveil the leaders shaping the future of franchising.
SHAKERS & MOVERS
Franchise World Updates: Who's Moving Up and Who's Taking New Roles
Congratulations to all the professionals making strides in their careers! Here's a quick look at the latest movements in the franchise industry:
Jacob Ray - Fran Growth
New Role: Director of Franchise Development
Company Overview: FranGrowth is an industry-leading franchise development company specializing in helping Franchisors focus on what they do best - run their business, train new Franchise Owners, and support their existing locations.
For the past 15 years, the FranGrowth team has helped grow franchise systems by bringing the right Franchise Owners to the right brands.
Jonathan Hock - Caribou Coffee
New Role: Director of Global Franchise Operations
Company Overview: Caribou Coffee provides high-quality, handcrafted coffee-forward beverages and craveable food options in more than 800 coffeehouses worldwide. Known for a commitment to sustainable practices and making a difference, Caribou Coffee serves 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans and crafts each menu item with the purpose to create day-making experiences. Their passion for premium is why Caribou Coffee makes every handcrafted beverage with the highest quality ingredients.
Erin Hildebrand - REP'M Group
New Role: Director of Franchise Development
Company Overview:
“HIRE'M ? We are excited to welcome Erin Hildebrand to the REP'M Group!
With an impressive background in the fitness franchising industry, Erin will take the lead on franchise development for our newest brand, SWEAT440.”
The REP’M Group is a premier full-service franchise enabler. Their unmatched capabilities help brands confidently accelerate growth at every stage of launching a franchise brand, selling and opening franchisee doors, and developing and managing plans for sustainable growth.
Tracey Felts - Handyman Connection
New Role: Director of Franchise Development
Company Overview: Handyman Connection specializes in delivering top-quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Whether it’s installation, repairs, building, or maintenance, their skilled professionals ensure every project is completed with precision and care. Homeowners rely on Handyman Connection because they don’t just take pride in their work - they guarantee it.
FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT
Five Star Franchising Recognizes Top Franchise Owners at Annual Home Services Summit
Five Star Franchising, a leading platform of innovative home service brands, recently celebrated the outstanding achievements of its franchise owners at its annual Home Services Summit, that took place November 6-10 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s event drew over 700 attendees, including franchise owners, vendor partners, and industry leaders, all coming together to share insights, collaborate, and explore new strategies for business growth.
The summit spotlighted the growth of Five Star Franchising, which now boasts over 1,500 locations across North America. "The annual Home Services Summit is our chance to honor the hard work of our franchise owners who have been pivotal in driving this remarkable expansion," said Scott Abbott, CEO and co-founder of Five Star Franchising. "Their leadership and dedication are at the core of what has made Five Star Franchising a success."
One of the highlights of the summit was the recognition of 79 franchise locations that reached the prestigious Million Dollar Club, with 27 locations surpassing $2 million in revenue. Awards were presented across multiple categories, including Franchise of the Year, Top Revenue, Top Growth, and Rookie of the Year. Notable winners included:
Franchise of the Year:
- 1-800-Packouts: Jason Shedlock (Southeastern Virginia)
- Bio-One: Jennifer Symons (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Five Star Bath Solutions: Kyle Harding (Jacksonville, Florida)
Top Revenue:
- Bio-One: Tim Lockard (Columbus, Ohio)
- Gotcha Covered: Ted Browne, Carson Browne, Chase Browne, and Shelley Valhos (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Top Growth:
- Bio-One: David Levin and Angela Welbes (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Gotcha Covered: Tamara Cluff (Northwest Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Rookie of the Year:
- 1-800-Packouts: Ashley Hoffman (East Valley, Phoenix, Arizona)
- Bio-One: Brandon Harris (Greensboro, North Carolina)
The event also featured exclusive workshops and keynote speeches, including one from James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy and world record holder, who inspired attendees with his message of perseverance and personal growth.
Andrew Mengason, Chief Growth Officer of Five Star Franchising, emphasized the summit’s role in fostering collaboration among franchise owners. "The energy at the awards ceremony was electrifying," he said. "It’s not just about celebrating the best, but about motivating all our owners to continue striving for excellence. Their success is a reflection of the strong Five Star culture."
Five Star Franchising’s robust support network and proven systems continue to empower its franchise owners across brands like Five Star Bath Solutions, Gotcha Covered, Bio-One, and more. With a focus on continuous growth and innovation, Five Star is committed to helping franchisees maximize their potential and secure lasting success in the competitive home services sector.
FRANCHISE BRAND MARKETING
Build A Thriving Franchise With A Solid Referral Partner Network
A referral partner network isn’t just for small-scale operations—when leveraged across your entire franchise, it becomes a powerful lead generation tool that drives consistent growth. By partnering with businesses or professionals who complement your services, you can expand your market reach and attract high-quality leads.
This article explores the steps to build a successful referral partner network, from identifying ideal partners in complementary industries to creating structured referral programs that incentivize participation. You’ll also discover how to maintain strong relationships through effective communication, recognition programs, and CRM tools designed to streamline the process.
Read More to learn how a robust referral partner network can elevate your franchise to new heights, helping you stand out in a competitive marketplace while supporting franchisees with a steady stream of qualified leads.
FRANCHISE ADVOCACY & LEGAL NEWS
Can Performance Metrics Impact Franchisee Renewals?
As a franchisor, performance metrics are essential tools to maintain brand consistency, uphold standards, and ensure the success of your franchise network. Metrics such as sales targets, customer satisfaction scores, and compliance with brand guidelines provide a structured way to measure franchisee performance and identify areas for improvement.
However, these metrics can sometimes become contentious during renewal discussions if a franchisee struggles to meet the required benchmarks. It's important to establish transparent and fair expectations for franchisees, coupled with opportunities for them to address issues proactively. Clear communication, consistent support, and timely feedback not only safeguard the franchise brand but also foster trust and collaboration with your franchisees.
When disputes arise, providing franchisees with well-documented guidelines and a chance to discuss their concerns can go a long way in preserving positive relationships. Additionally, ensuring that renewal decisions are based on objective, non-discriminatory factors is critical to avoid potential legal disputes and protect the integrity of the franchise system.
As a franchisor, your role extends beyond setting expectations—you’re also responsible for equipping franchisees with the resources and tools needed to meet those expectations. By maintaining a partnership-focused approach, you can ensure renewal discussions strengthen your network and reinforce the brand’s long-term success
MEDIA & LEARNING
Building A Restoration Empire with Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Best Option Restoration
Brian Beers from BrianBeersPodcast.com sits down with Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Best Option Restoration, a water and fire damage restoration franchise. Nick is a 17-year franchise veteran and serial entrepreneur, with a knack for starting and selling successful businesses.
In this podcast, Nick shares details about the different businesses he has grown into successful multi-unit franchise brands over the last two decades. Find out what his secret is and what he says is the most important thing to keep in mind for any business owner.
For more about Nick, find him on LinkedIn: /nickanthonyzamucen
To learn about franchise opportunities at Best Option Restoration, visit borestoration.com
A special thank you to @BrianBeers for producing this podcast. You can connect with Brian and find more of his content here:
X: / brianbeers
Instagram: / briantbeers
LinkedIn: / brian-t-beers
youtube.com/@brianbeers
Website: http://beerspodcast.com
Franchise Business News is brought to you by SeoSamba, a marketing and sales automation software suite provider, with turnkey franchise development and franchise brand marketing solutions for emerging franchise brands. Each year, SeoSamba reviews thousands of nominees and awards the Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising award to the most influential characters in the franchise world.
If you have news that you’d like to have published in an upcoming edition, you may submit it to influencers@seosamba.com for consideration.
Thanks for reading!
