FranchiseU!

On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Felipe Martinez, Vice President of Franchise Development at Estrella Insurance, about franchise ownership, franchise development, due diligence, and finding the right franchisees for long-term growth. Estrella Insurance has more than 45 years of operating history and over 240 franchise-owned locations across nine states. Felipe has helped lead the brand’s franchise development efforts for the past nine years, guiding p

Jim Metevier’s career journey has taken him from restaurant assistant manager to CEO, with more than 30 years of experience across major restaurant brands. In this episode of FranchiseU, host Dr. Kathy Gosser reconnects with her former KFC colleague Jim Metevier, CEO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Jim shares his journey from KFC assistant manager to more than two decades with Yum! Brands, where he held leadership roles across operations, finance, marketing, development, and strategy before becoming

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Lori Riddle Eberenz, Director of Global Public Relations and Storytelling for Yum! Brands, to discuss how storytelling builds brands, strengthens franchise relationships, supports business strategy and helps leaders communicate through change and crisis. Lori shares her journey from journalism and agency work to nearly a decade with KFC and her current global role at Yum! Brands. She reflects on memorable KFC campaigns and explains

On this episode of the FranchiseU Podcast, host Dr. Kathy Gosser interviews Alex Nessenthaler, Franchise Owner of Magnolia Bakery in Louisville, Kentucky, about her journey from corporate retail leadership to franchise ownership. Alex spent years in the fashion industry, most recently overseeing North American retail for Tory Burch. After a career that required frequent travel, she began reconsidering what success looked like for her family. She and her husband, Patrick, moved back to Louisvill

Today Dr. Kathy Gosser welcomes Abby Epperly, General Manager and co-owner of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Rock Hill in South Carolina. Abby opened the location with her father, Doug Epperly, in May 2026 and now oversees day-to-day operations while helping create a welcoming gathering place for the community. Abby’s journey began at the University of Louisville, where she became the first student to earn the undergraduate certificate in franchise management. Before taking her first franchise cour

In this special episode of FranchiseU, co-host Dr. Zac Goldman sits down with fellow University of Louisville colleague and longtime corporate leader Dr. Kathy Gosser to explore the enduring leadership philosophy of Colonel Harland Sanders. Dr. Gosser shares firsthand insights from her 35-year career at KFC and Yum! Brands, breaking down how a simple roadside restaurant transformed into a global fast-food empire through radical persistence, trust, and a commitment to doing things the "Hard Way.