Episodes

Ruth Agbaji is the CEO, founder, and Nerd-In-Chief of Code Wiz, and she knows first-hand the power of learning to code. Born in Nigeria, Ruth hacked her way into computer science by teaching herself to code. Agbaji received her Masters in Computer Science from Tufts University and worked as a software engineer for tech giants like Microsoft and Kronos. Her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to impact the kids’ lives by sparking their interest in STEM led Agbaji to quit her day job and launch Code...

Jerry Akers is a lifetime entrepreneur, owning a wide variety of businesses in his 40 years of business experience. For the past 16 years, he and his wife have grown their Great Clips group from one salon to 36, and now with the entry of the children, plan on adding several more. Additionally, Jerry is the Regional Developer for The Joint Chiropractic for Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, and a Franchisee for Eastern Iowa with 10 Clinics under development Akers currently serves on the Great Clip...

In today's episode, Kathy sits down with Penn Station's COO, Craig Dunaway, to discuss his experiences in the franchise industry. Dunaway was president of Penn Station East Coast Subs since August 1999 and a member of the Board of Directors since September 2001, and became chief operating officer in 2022. In addition to being president of Penn Station, he had previously owned interests in Coastal Cheesesteaks, LLC and Louisville Cheesesteaks, LLC, both of which are Penn Station franchises. He se...

This week, Kathy sits down with the CEO and founder of Unleashed Brands, Michael Browning. Unleashed Brands is a platform company that houses the world’s best franchise brands to help kids Learn, Play, and Grow. Browning launched Unleashed in 2021 after noticing a void in the market for parents looking for a trusted resource for kids’ activities. The growing portfolio currently includes Urban Air Adventure Park, Snapology, The Little Gym, Premier Martial Arts, Class 101, and XP League.

On today's FranchiseU! Kathy Gosser talks to Franchise Business Review’s President and COO, Michelle Rowan, CFE. Franchise Business Review is the leading market research firm in the franchise sector specializing in franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement. In addition to her role at FBR, Michelle is also chair of the International Franchise Association Women’s Franchise Committee and a Certified Franchise Executive. Recently, Michelle joined the YUM! Center for Global Franchise Excellence...

On today's episode, Kathy talks franchise and motivation with GYMGUYZ founder Josh York. GYMGUYZ is an in-home personal-training franchise providing convenient, customized, and creative workouts. Headquartered in Plainview, NY, it employs a fleet of trucks to bring state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert coaches to their customers’ doors. Learn how Josh took this idea from a dining room table and single van to a booming franchise now serving over 1,100 cities in 22 states.

In today's episode, Kathy sits down with Stratus Building Solutions President Doug Flaig to discuss the world of franchising in the commercial cleaning industry. Flaig started his career with 7-Eleven, where he spent seven years. He eventually moved on to leadership roles with Dunkin’ Brands, Burger King, and Wetzel’s Pretzels.

Today Kathy speaks with John Cywinski of Dine Brands and discusses his journey from advertising firm to the food industry. John Cywinski was appointed to the position of President of Applebee’s Grill & Bar in March 2017. As President, Mr. Cywinski is responsible for the overall strategic direction for all functional areas of Applebee’s. Mr. Cywinski most recently served as Executive Vice President of Strategic Innovation and Marketing at Brinker International, parent company of Chili’s Grill & B...

Today on Franchise U! Kathy sits down with Patricia Perry. She is a veteran in the franchising, food service, retail, and hospitality industries. She serves as Vice President of Development for Edible Brands and is responsible for increasing the global market share for the franchise brands. She oversees global franchise development, real estate, new store design, construction, licensing, and consumer packaged goods and business gifting. Since early 2019, the brand has experienced tremendous grow...

This week on FranchiseU!, Rob Weddle joins Kathy to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. Rob Weedle is the CEO of Authority Brands. He began his career in franchising in 2002 as a franchisee of The Cleaning Authority. In 2005, Rob joined the franchisor as an Operations Representative and rose through the organization as VP of Operations, COO, and eventually became the CEO in 2014. He remains today a multi-unit franchisee of The Cleaning Authority. Rob leads the executive team at Authority Brands...

This week, Kathy sits down with Aylwin Lewis. Mr. Lewis served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Potbelly Corporation, a franchisor of quick-service restaurants, from June 2008 until his retirement in November 2017. From September 2005 to February 2008, Mr. Lewis was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings Corporation, a nationwide retailer. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis had been President and Chief Executive Officer of KMart since October 2004. Mr. Lewis was Chie...

In today's episode, Kathy sits down with Jody Luihn to discuss his experiences as a YUM! Brands franchisee. Jody started as a restaurant manager in the Luihn family business in 1983 and remains in the business as a partner, president, and CEO after the recapitalization into LVE Partners in 2019. He has been the FRANMAC President for Taco Bell for three terms and serves on numerous YUM! Brand committees. Jody is consistently recognized by YUM! Brands for his contributions to the franchise system....

On this week’s FranchiseU! Kathy talks with Sophia Swemba, VP and franchise advocate for Marriott. A graduate in finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Sophia has held numerous positions in finance with Marriott. She began her career with Marriott in late 2007, working in the field as an assistant controller. Over ten years, she served in various financial leadership roles in various brands and operations at the property level. Sophia also serves as a board member for ...

Kathy talks about investment management with Exaltare Capital Partners CEO Omar Simmons in today's episode. He shares his experiences with franchise partners, including a tenure as CEO of ECP Planet Fitness.

On this week's FranchiseU! Kathy talks with Signarama franchisee Maggie Payette Harlow. Learn how she translated her experience running the family car dealership into a successful enterprise. Maggie also discusses her commitment to community service in Louisville, including her work with the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Happy Birthday Park, and Metro United Way.

In today's episode, Kathy sits down with Biscuit Belly's Director of Franchise Development, Lauren Coulter, to discuss her and her husband Chad's entrepreneurial journey. From their start with Louisville's first "paint and sip" business to Biscuit Belly, learn about their path to the world of fast-casual franchise development.

This week Kathy meets with FranNet CEO Jania Bailey and her journey in franchise development.

This week Kathy talks the power of education with Gene and Yolanda Camarena. Learn how higher education played a transformative role in the Camarena's lives as it fueled their entrepreneurial endeavors which include banking, real estate, and franchises like Marriott and Pizza Hut. Both have advanced degrees from Harvard University and are active in generously supporting Hispanic students in their educational pursuits. The Camarenas were recently inducted into the Wichita Business Hall of Fame fo...

Kathy is joined this week by Luis Veras, president of ITL Management, Inc. and a Pizza Hut franchisee. Listen to Luis's journey from the corporate world to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

This week, Matt Haller and Rikki Amos join Kathy to discuss the International Franchise Association(IFA). As the world's largest membership organization for franchisors, franchisees and franchise suppliers, the IFA provides events, advocacy, education, and growth opportunities to the franchise community.

In this episode, Kathy talks with Artie Starrs, the CEO of Topgolf Entertainment Group, to discuss their unique franchising strategy and the culture that drives their business model.

In our inaugural episode, Kathy sits down with President and Global COO of Taco Bell, Mike Grams, to discuss his career in the industry as well as the challenges facing franchisees.

FranchiseU! is a bi-weekly podcast produced to provide education and inspiration to those in, or considering careers within, franchising. This podcast is produced by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville. The Center’s vision is to empower communities to create and sustain generational wealth using the franchising business model. Series host: Kathy Gosser, Executive Director, Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence