In this episode, Paul Ehlinger sits down with Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting to explore the nuances of franchise leadership, growth, and organizational purpose. Evan shares insights from his 40-year career in franchising, including and launching businesses, rescuing a bankrupt franchise, and building purpose-driven organizations. He emphasizes the importance of vision, collaboration, and engaging franchisees and frontline employees to drive both growth and satisfaction.

Key takeaways include:

• Engaging franchisees: Listening, involving them in strategy, and valuing their input is critical to sustained growth and loyalty.

• Leadership through collaboration: Leadership isn’t just charisma—it’s listening, challenging others, and ensuring everyone contributes to the vision.

• Frontline employee motivation: Younger generations are purpose-driven and value training, making intentional employee development essential.

• Handling crises: Major challenges can catalyze transformation if approached with the right mindset and processes.

• Writing with purpose: Evan shares his approach to authoring books, emphasizing legacy, iteration, and control over ownership.

• Trends in franchising: Private equity brings financial rigor but also highlights the importance of profitability and transparency for franchisees.

The discussion also covers generational differences in workforce motivation, leadership principles, and practical strategies for building resilient, high-performing franchise systems.

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