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Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day.
Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community.
By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast.
In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations.
Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon provide actionable advice and inspiration.
Tune in to learn from the experiences of others, gain new perspectives, and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your franchising journey with confidence.
Join us on "The Franchise Leaders Forum" and become part of a community dedicated to leadership, growth, and success in franchising.
This podcast will provide answers to questions and topics like:
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Why Franchise Leaders Struggle to Get Franchisee Buy-In w/ Joel Worthington
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Jun 10, 2026 |
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The Disconnect Slowing Franchise Growth w/ Lorne Fisher
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May 27, 2026 |
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The Trust Gap Costing Your Franchise Growth w/ Michelle Rowan
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May 13, 2026 |
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Taking Over a Franchise Legacy Is Harder Than You Think w/ Anne Huntington Sharma
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Apr 29, 2026 |
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38 Years in Franchising & We Still Get This Wrong w/ Therese Thilgen
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Apr 15, 2026 |
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The 3 Mistakes Killing Your Franchise Growth w/ Rob Flanagan
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Apr 01, 2026 |
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Patience & Discipline Behind Franchise Growth w/ Paul Altero
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Mar 18, 2026 |
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The Leadership Shift No One Warns You About w/ Tracy Panase
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Mar 04, 2026 |
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IFA Annual Conference: Insider Tips to Maximize Your Time
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Feb 18, 2026 |
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What Franchisees Wish Their Franchisors Understood w/ Tom Wood
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Feb 04, 2026 |
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Why PR Is a Long Game & Why Franchise Leaders Should Play It w/ Sherri Fishman
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Jan 21, 2026 |
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Hiring for the Company You’re Becoming, Not the One You Are w/ Shelly Sun Berkowitz
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Jan 07, 2026 |
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Why Most Franchise Leaders Fail & How to Lead Differently w/ Adam Contos
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Dec 24, 2025 |
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How a Franchise Collapse Built a Better Leader w/ Ciara Stockeland
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Dec 10, 2025 |
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Why Emerging Brands Fail (And How to Fix it) w/ Ron Feldman
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Nov 26, 2025 |
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How Purpose-Driven Leadership Builds Thriving Franchise Brands w/ Emma Dickison
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Nov 12, 2025 |
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Turning Scrappy Beginnings into a Franchise Powerhouse w/ Jeff Dudan
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Oct 29, 2025 |
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Smarter Strategies for Franchise Growth w/ Marianne Murphy
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Oct 15, 2025 |
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Why Humility & Teamwork Win in Franchising w/ Billy Downs
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Oct 01, 2025 |
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Building Strong Franchise Relationships w/ John Francis
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Sep 17, 2025 |
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How to Build a Profitable Franchise Brand w/ Kevin Wilson
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Sep 03, 2025 |
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Turning a Failing Franchise Around w/ PuroClean’s Steve White
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Aug 20, 2025 |
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How the IFA is Shaping Franchising Today w/ Matt Haller
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Aug 06, 2025 |
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What Most Franchise Founders Get Wrong (& What Cathy Deano Did Instead)
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Jul 23, 2025 |
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How to Scale Your Franchise Without Burnout w/ Paul Preston
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Jul 09, 2025 |
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Using Data to Drive Growth for a Successful Franchise w/ Sam Ballas
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Jun 25, 2025 |
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Leading with Passion, Purpose & Loyalty w/ Paul Pickett
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Jun 11, 2025 |
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Power of Belief for a Successful Franchise with Robin Gagnon
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May 28, 2025 |
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Franchise Growth Strategies with Clarissa Bradstock
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May 14, 2025 |
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Navigating the SBA Franchise Directory Changes with FRANdata’s Edith Wiseman
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May 07, 2025 |
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Building Franchise Success Through a Growth Mindset with Jerry Akers
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Apr 30, 2025 |
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Uncovering the Secret Sauce for Successful Franchise Leadership & Growth w/ Steve Beagelman
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Apr 16, 2025 |
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The Impact of EOS in Franchising Success with Justin Mink
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Apr 02, 2025 |
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Paul Blavin's Approach to Franchise Growth & Impact w/ Love, Leadership & Legacy
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Mar 19, 2025 |
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Elevating Employee Experiences for Franchise Growth w/ Author Scott Greenberg
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Mar 05, 2025 |
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The Intersection of Franchise Brokers, Leadership & Ethical Business w/ Sabrina Wall
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Feb 19, 2025 |
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How Strategic Pivoting and Knowing Your Niche Leads to Franchise Success with Frank Fiume
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Feb 05, 2025 |
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Maintaining Strong Relationships Through Rapid Franchise Growth with Josh Wall
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Jan 22, 2025 |
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Navigating Unit Economics and KPIs in Franchising with Steve Murphy
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Jan 08, 2025 |
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Thinking of Selling Your Franchise? Start Here w/ Alicia Miller
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Dec 25, 2024 |
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Why Empathetic CEOs Build the Most Profitable Brands w/ Catherine Monson
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Dec 11, 2024 |
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How Radical Transparency Turned a Franchise Around w/ Dustin Hansen
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Nov 27, 2024 |
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Expect the Unexpected on Business Growth and Franchise Strategy with Steve Greenbaum
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Nov 13, 2024 |
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Building Franchise Systems with Predictable Cash Flows with David Barr
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Oct 30, 2024 |
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Leadership Lessons from Jo Kirchner on Perfection, Progress, and Community
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Oct 16, 2024 |
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Franchise Success Through Heartfelt Communication & Visionary Leadership with Shane Evans
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Oct 02, 2024 |
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Franchise Growth Requires More Than a Good System w/ Stan Friedman
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Sep 18, 2024 |
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How to Choose the Right Franchise with FranNet CEO Jania Bailey
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Sep 04, 2024 |
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What Great Franchise Leaders Do Differently w/ Alex Judd
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Aug 21, 2024 |
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The Power of Franchising as a Small Business Owner with Art Coley
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Aug 07, 2024 |
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Franchise for Good: Purpose, Growth, and Franchise Opportunities with Dave Keil
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Jul 24, 2024 |
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Navigating Change and Growth in Franchising with Mary Kennedy Thompson
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Jul 10, 2024 |
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Cultivating Culture, Retaining Talent, and Modeling Leadership in Franchising with Bridget Jones
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Jul 10, 2024 |
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From Franchisee to CEO - Tracy Panase’s Journey of Leadership Success
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Jul 10, 2024 |
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Shannon Wilburn’s Path to Franchise Success
|
Jul 10, 2024 |
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Welcome to The Franchise Leaders Forum!
|
Jul 03, 2024 |