By Joe Caruso The Shift from Selling to Stewardship Franchise development is no longer about how many territories you can award or how fast you can grow. It’s about how carefully and responsibly you expand, and who you choose to bring into your system. The franchise industry has matured, and the way we recruit must…
You built a successful franchise, but if multi-unit, multi-brand operators (MUMBOs) aren’t lining up, your marketing isn’t speaking their language. Here’s what’s missing. The Missed Opportunity in Modern Franchise Development In today’s franchise world, everyone is chasing the same high-value target:Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Operators, also known as MUMBOs. These sophisticated investors bring capital, infrastructure, and growth…
Gastropub operator Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 26, 2025, marking its second restructuring in five years as persistent inflation and operational challenges continue to batter the restaurant industry. BLH TopCo LLC, the Addison, Texas-based parent of the Bar Louie brand, filed the voluntary petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware,…
Franchise Sales AI Agents: Essential Compliance Practices for Responsible Franchisors By Joe Caruso Artificial intelligence (AI) promises powerful advantages for franchise sales teams, automating outreach, scheduling appointments, and accelerating lead generation. Yet a critical question remains largely unexplored by franchisors and franchise attorneys alike: Are AI agents reliably safe for franchisors from a compliance standpoint?…
By Joe Caruso Every franchise sales team experiences the allure: fresh inbox leads, trade show badge scans, and new prospects seem to sparkle brighter and promise more than the leads you’ve already nurtured. It’s a pervasive challenge I’ve witnessed repeatedly as a Chief Development Officer, and it’s crucial we address it head-on. The Psychology Behind…
Franchising gets sold as a shortcut to business ownership. You’re told you’re buying into a brand with recognition, a built-in system, and the franchisor’s team to help. But here’s the reality. Most franchises aren’t brands yet. They’re businesses trying to become brands. If a franchise has fewer than 100 units scattered all over or is…
By Joe Caruso Why Most Franchise Recruitment Efforts Fall Short Many franchisors struggle with franchise recruitment, despite having a strong concept, proven systems, and even a well-funded growth strategy. They generate leads, but few turn into serious buyers. They spend time and resources on franchise brokers or FSOs, but the results are inconsistent. They deal…
Are Franchise Fees an Investment or a Tax? The Real Measure of Support By Joe Caruso Franchise systems charge royalties and marketing fees as part of their business model. These fees vary widely depending on the brand, industry, and level of support promised. However, the real question isn’t whether franchisors are providing enough support. It…
Franchising Done Right: Why Most New Franchisors Fail and How to Avoid It You have a great concept. You have opened three or four brick-and-mortar locations, and the numbers look good. You have even taken the next big step: you got an FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document). Now, you are ready to scale. After all, if…
Mastering Franchise Expansion: Choosing Single-Unit, Multi-Unit, or Enterprise Multi-Unit Models By Joe Caruso Franchising isn’t about fitting square pegs into round holes. It’s about strategy, precision, and finding the right people who align with your brand’s vision and values. This is where Ned Lyerly, Michael Webster and I at Franchise Info bring our expertise to…
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