How I Franchised This

From Startup Founder to Franchisee: Our CEO Flips the Script

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.

Fighter Pilot to Franchisee: Vik Shah

After flying F-15s as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Vivek jumped into a whole new arena. He’s now a multi-unit franchisee (owning Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids), startup founder, and franchise advisor here at Franzy. He’s also behind a trauma recovery app helping hundreds worldwide.
 

Buying the Dream: Inside a Franchise Resale Deal from Both Sides

What really happens when one franchisee sells—and another steps in? In this episode, we hear both sides of a rare transaction between Brian Gross, the seller of Art of Drawers Tampa, and Sid Kinghar, the buyer who left corporate finance to become a first-time business owner.
You’ll learn:
Why Sid chose a franchise resale over starting from scratch
How Brian structured the deal, including seller financing terms
What both wish existed to make franchise resales easier
Franchise resales are one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) entry points into business ownership. This conversation breaks down the real mechanics of a deal—pricing, diligence, negotiation, and the human element of trust. If you're thinking about buying or selling a franchise, this episode is a must-listen.

From Wall Street to 140 Units: How Kal Built a Multi-Brand Franchise Empire

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

Systems, Leadership & Grit: How Adam Contos Built and Backs Businesses

Welcome back to How I Franchised This — the show where we dive into the real stories behind franchise empires, told directly by the people who built them.
Today’s guest is Adam Contos: former CEO of RE/MAX, Marine Corps veteran, SWAT commander turned business builder, and now co-founder of Area 15 Ventures.
From undercover narcotics work to leading one of the world’s largest real estate franchises, Adam’s journey is anything but ordinary. But what ties it all together? Systems, leadership, and a relentless drive to grow businesses — and the people behind them.
In this episode, we cover:
What it means to “narc market” (yes, really)
Why franchising is the ultimate community builder
The mindset shifts every new franchisee must make
How Adam is backing the next generation of operators with purpose and passion
Whether you’re thinking about owning a business, scaling one, or just obsessed with how leaders think — this episode’s for you.

From Subs to Scaling: GR Waldrop’s Franchise Playbook

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

From Insurance to Cookies: The Wild Franchise Ride of Taylor & Shideler

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

Opening a Milkshake Franchise With No Food Experience - John Bahr (Ep #5)

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

#4 Parker Feldmann | KidStrong

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

#3 Bryant Cohen | Pink's Window Services

Bryant Cohen didn’t set out to run a window cleaning business—he started by managing a private equity fund focused on small business acquisitions. But after one deal fell through, he jumped in himself, launching a Pink’s Window Services franchise in Charlotte.
In this episode, Bryant shares how he went from fund manager to full-time operator, what it was like launching in the off-season, and how he broke even just six months in. You’ll hear his take on choosing franchising over independent ownership, how he built his team, and what it really takes to succeed as a first-time franchisee.
👉 Explore franchise opportunities like Pink’s at Franzy.com