In this powerhouse episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX, to talk about the wild ride from SWAT commander to franchise titan. Adam shares the gritty realities of leadership, the psychology behind overcoming fear, how to navigate challenging franchisee dynamics, and why AI is already reshaping the future of franchising. Whether you're a founder, franchisee, or exec, this episode delivers gold on mindset, transformation, and what it really takes to scale in a world of accelerating change.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dan & Ashley, the husband-and-wife duo behind petbar, the fast-growing pet grooming franchise known as the “Disney World for dogs.” From closing their tanning salons to launching their first petbar in 2015, Dan & Ashley share how a personal grooming need for their schnauzer turned into a booming pet grooming business with over 30 locations.

In this inspiring Behind the Franchise episode, Julie Harrell, President of Cooper’s Scoopers, shares her unlikely journey from healthcare management to building one of the fastest‑growing mobile pet waste removal franchises in the U.S.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Fred Hassen and Alfredo Rivera, the powerhouse duo behind Sit Means Sit, one of the largest dog training franchises in North America. From Fred’s unexpected entry into the dog world at age 40 to building a 170+ location business, they share an unfiltered look at the grit, growth, and guiding principles that built their empire.

In this powerful episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with industry powerhouse Sally Facinelli, CFE, a 29-year veteran in franchising. Sally shares the raw, real, and inspiring journey that’s defined her career — from international expansion in the dot-com era to leading high-growth franchise brands and shaping the future of female leadership in the space.

Join Paul Ehlinger on Behind the Franchise as he sits down with Tim Vogel of Scenthound to uncover the behind-the-scenes tactics of scaling a data-driven pet care empire.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Brooke Janousek, current CMO of GarageExperts and founder of The Grow CMO, for a deep dive into the realities of marketing leadership in franchising.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Kristen Pechacek—CEO of MassageLuXe and a digital marketing pioneer—to unpack her journey from launching Facebook pages in the MySpace era to leading one of the fastest-growing wellness franchises in the U.S.

From startup hustle to CMO of a billion-dollar franchise platform, Felicia Reeves brings clarity, courage, and sharp strategy to the ever-evolving world of marketing. In this episode of Behind the Franchise, Felicia opens up about her early entrepreneurial journey, how she empowers franchisees across 10 brands, and why bravery, action, and understanding the P&L are at the heart of effective marketing.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, Paul sits down with Lynn Blashford, CMO of White Castle, to talk about the iconic burger brand’s 104-year legacy, its fiercely intentional decision not to franchise, and the creative strategies that keep it relevant across generations. From Valentine’s Day table service to Harold & Kumar’s enduring impact, Lynn shares how White Castle blends tradition with innovation — all while staying true to its family-owned roots. If you’ve ever wondered how a 1921 brand thrives in the age of TikTok and AI, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, Paul Ehlinger sits down with Andrea Wiita, founder of The Retail Method, to explore how smart retail strategy can supercharge brand loyalty and profitability in franchising.

On this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger is joined by franchise strategist and industry veteran Dawn Abbamondi of SMB Franchise Advisors. With a career spanning multi-unit corporate franchises, franchise consulting, and even franchise ownership, Dawn shares practical insights on brand development, innovation, and scaling the right way.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with franchise operations expert Leigh Welch, founder of Leigh Welch Consulting. With over a decade in the franchising industry, Leigh shares insights on the crucial role of franchisee support, the importance of investing in operational coaching from day one, and why early-stage brands often struggle with profitability.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Jay Kallman, founder of Revvy Marketing, to unpack the beautiful balance between data-driven strategy and human-first branding.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Kris Stuart, Chief Development Officer of Bloom & Blinds, to discuss his unconventional journey from firefighter to franchise leader. Kris shares how growing up in a family-run business shaped his mindset, why he pursued firefighting alongside entrepreneurship, and how he ultimately discovered franchising as a vehicle for lasting impact.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Brooke Budke about her journey as the founder and CEO of Momentum Brands. They explore how she empowers franchisees, shares marketing tips for franchises, and continues to pursue growth both professionally and personally.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Michael Sutton about how he is expanding his business Grill Hero from Canada to the U.S., as well as just constantly elevating all aspects of the franchise.

Dive into the pool of entrepreneurship with Mark Amery, founder and CEO of Puddle Pool Services! In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Mark about building a fun, vibrant brand in the home services industry.

Kyle Kosco spends this episode highlighting how Caring Transitions, one of the leading senior services brand, has turned into a revenue machine across multiple verticals.

In the first episode of "Behind the Franchise," host Paul Ehlinger talks with Jessica Yarmey, CEO of SizzleSociety and former CMO of Club Pilates, about the intricacies of scaling franchise brands while maintaining authenticity and strategic alignment. Jessica shares her experiences and strategies on promoting and protecting brands during rapid growth, offering actionable insights for entrepreneurs and franchisors.