Best Busser Podcasts (2026)

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From Pest Control Door-Knockers to 5-Brand Franchise Owners— Milo Leakehe and Zach McKinley's Story 1:05:35

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2d ago1:05:35

1:05:35

In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Milo Leakehe and Zach McKinley, co-founders of Imbue Capital, to reveal how they built a multi-brand franchise platform across five verticals without chasing the traditional MUMBO playbook. Milo and Zach share their unconventional strategy of scaling horizontally from day one, giving ope…

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Jack Johnson Breaks Down the Resale Opportunity Most Franchisees Miss 47:18

16d ago47:18

47:18

In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Jack Johnson, CEO of Franchise Insiders, to explore the untapped potential of franchise resales. Jack breaks down the resale opportunity most franchisees miss by buying profitable businesses, skipping the startup grind, and building to sell from the start. Discover why resales aren't fai…

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EPISODE 5 - Inside the Mind of a Storyteller: From War Zones to Watchmaking with Niclas Berglund 42:46

1M ago42:46

42:46

In this episode of Tales from the Tribe, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser sits down with someone who has spent his life chasing stories across continents and conflicts: international journalist and Bezl magazine editor Niclas Berglund. Niclas has reported from some of the world’s most complex and volatile regions, uncovering human truths amid global …

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Chris Gannon's Journey From Busser to Founder and If He Should Franchise 1:11:06

1M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

In this episode of Smart Franchising, Dan Rowe sits down with Chris Gannon, founder of Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen and son of Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon, to explore the critical question: should you franchise your restaurant concept? With 22 locations across Florida, Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen represents a "better for you" fast-casual conc…

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Leslie Kuban's Advice on Franchise Resales & Working with Franchise Consultants 50:28

2M ago50:28

50:28

Join franchise industry leader Dan Rowe the Founder and CEO of Fransmart and Leslie Kuban the Market President and Franchise Owner of FranNet as they dive deep into the world of franchise resales and the critical role consultants play in these transactions. In this insightful conversation, Dan and Leslie explore the often-overlooked preparation nee…

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Fransmart Takeover: Scaling Smarter – What a Former Marine Learned Building America’s Largest Marco’s Franchise 47:06

2M ago47:06

47:06

From running movies out of the back of his family’s warehouse at age 12 to becoming the largest Marco’s Pizza franchisee in America, McLain Hoogland understands the long game – and the pivot. With a lineage stretching back to the birth of family video rental and a career forged by service in the Marine Corps, McLain doesn’t just lead a multigenerat…

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EPISODE 4 - A Navy SEAL’s New Mission: Protecting Children at All Costs with Rob Huberty 1:02:13

2M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

In this episode of Tales from the Tribe, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser speaks with Rob Huberty, a former US Navy SEAL who traded the battlefield for a new mission: protecting children. After nearly a decade of service in one of the world’s most elite military units, Rob’s life shifted when he became a father. That moment inspired him to co-found Z…

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Fransmart Takeover: How Tech and AI Are Reshaping Franchise Operations and Customer Experience with Carl Stoffers 40:50

2M ago40:50

40:50

Before Carl Stoffers was Entrepreneur Magazine’s Senior Business Editor, he was logging twelve-hour shifts in a maximum security prison in the sweltering Arizona desert. But even surrounded by concrete walls and lockstep routines, Carl never let go of his love for words – reading under a flashlight in secret as a kid and nurturing an “impossible dr…

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Fransmart Takeover: People First – Why Relationships Are Key in Franchising with Mitch Cohen 52:53

2M ago52:53

52:53

After decades operating six different food brands including Dunkin’ and Jersey Mike’s, Mitch took a leap that changed everything: salon studios. Why? Because great franchises evolve, and Mitch believes in building businesses where people don't shy away from change. His philosophy? Treat every person, from employees to beauty professionals, with res…

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Fransmart Takeover: From Startup to Franchise Success with Jesse Keyser 39:07

3M ago39:07

39:07

Jesse Keyser knows a thing or two about scaling from a single pizza shop dream to over 50 franchise locations across the U.S. – but it wasn’t just business savvy that got him there. Early on, Jesse learned the hard way that running a business isn’t just about chasing growth or watching the bank account swell; it’s about understanding people, master…

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EPISODE 3 - Grinding Beans, Building Dreams: The Birth of Brew Watch & Co. with Jonathan Ferrer 57:18

3M ago57:18

57:18

In this episode of Tales from the Tribe, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser sits down with Jonathan Ferrer, founder of Brew Watch & Co. — one of the first true microbrands to make waves in modern independent watchmaking. From sketching his first concept in a New York café to creating timepieces celebrated for their thoughtful design and precision, Jona…

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EPISODE 2 - Shifting Gears: From Banking to Classic Car Racing with Xavier Micheron 38:43

4M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode of Tales from the Tribe, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser sits down with Xavier Micheron — a former banker who left the world of finance to chase something far more visceral: the roar of engines, the thrill of endurance racing, and the beauty of mechanical heritage. Today, Xavier is the founder of the Ascott Collection, a unique initi…

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EPISODE 1 - No Frills, Big Wins: How Budget Airlines Succeed with Rohit Ramachandran 42:30

4M ago42:30

42:30

In this new episode of Tales from the Tribe, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser sits down with aviation leader and horological enthusiast Rohit Ramachandran for a far-reaching conversation that spans skies, stories, and timepieces. From his early days at Singapore Airlines to his remarkable turnaround of Jazeera Airways, Rohit shares insights from a ca…

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The AI Engine Powering the World’s Biggest Brands with Jeremy Brazeal 59:58

7M ago59:58

59:58

In an era where technology is advancing at lightning speed, franchisors must adapt or risk being left behind. Enter Jeremy Brazeal, a visionary from Reality Interactive, who who previously led groundbreaking consumer, digital engagement, and advertising work for global icons like The LEGO Group and The Coca-Cola Company. Now agency-side at Reality,…

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In Conversation with George Bamford founder of Bamford watch department and Marc Michel-Amadry, Managing director of Girard-Perragauxat the launch of the New Deep Diver 35:50

8M ago35:50

35:50

In this episode we are joined by George Bamford founder of Bamford watch department and Marc Michel-Amadry, Managing director of Girard-Perragaux. Sit down with us as we discover the New Deep Diver limited edition and learn about the inspiration behind the project, live from the launch event hosted by Watches of Switzerland Knightsbridge showroom.…

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From One Wendy’s to 200+ Locations: How Mike Hamra Built Hamra Enterprises 48:06

8M ago48:06

48:06

Mike Hamra’s family legacy in the franchising industry spans generations. In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike joins Dan Rowe as he shares insights into his remarkable journey from practising law to leading a powerhouse in the franchise world. In this episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, Mike reveals: The Hamra family's journey as We…

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Crunch Fitness and European Wax Center: Scaling Multiple Brands from 10 to 50+ Locations 36:42

8M ago36:42

36:42

How do you turn a small franchise into a massive empire?In this episode, Dan Rowe chats with Neel Bhargava, co-founder of NB Group, who’s reshaping the world of franchise investment with his unique multi-unit, multi-brand approach. Neel’s journey took him from the world of consulting and private equity to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur, scaling…

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Scaling a 360+ Unit Restaurant Empire and Launching Taco Bell Cantina 1:04:36

9M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

On today’s episode, we sit down with SG Ellison, the powerhouse behind a 360+ unit franchise empire and the first-ever Taco Bell Cantina. SG didn’t scale by cutting corners—he scaled by investing in people, pushing innovation, and playing the long game. From buying his first 85 units to developing the highest volume Taco Bell in the world, SG’s sto…

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$5M in One Store : The Bagel Brand Breaking the Mold 46:40

9M ago46:40

46:40

On today’s episode, we sit down with Amer Wahab, the operator behind one of the most impressive unit economics in fast casual—$5.3M in sales from a single Kettlemans Bagel location. Amer built a powerhouse brand with industry-leading retention, a cult following, and a model that’s built to scale. Even through the darkest days of COVID, Kettlemans c…

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Building the $1 Billion Company That's Reshaping Restaurant Tech 43:17

10M ago43:17

43:17

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Noah Glass, the visionary founder of Olo, who turned an everyday frustration into a billion-dollar tech company that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry. Nearly 20 years ago, Noah imagined a world where you could skip the coffee shop line and order food seamlessly from your…

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Change a Girl's Life 44:17

10M ago44:17

44:17

In this special episode we are joined by a panel of inspirational women, in support of The King’s Trust’s Change a Girl’s Life Campaign, live from our Goldsmiths Trafford centre showroom. This episode is hosted by Daniel Andrews, founder of Creating Effective Generations. Daniel is joined by, Kiki McDonough, Vicky Brys and Young Ambassador Sionibha…

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The Art of Turnarounds: The Magic Behind a $1M+ Per Store Growth at Wendy’s 39:56

10M ago39:56

39:56

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Kathryn Chayka, the powerhouse who built massive success in franchise turnarounds, taking 12 struggling Wendy’s locations and making a multi-million dollar success story. Fresh out of college, Kathryn took over a territory of underperforming Wendy’s stores in Quebec and added ove…

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How this Franchise Broker Built a $45M+ Franchise Portfolio from Scratch 55:10

11M ago55:10

55:10

On today’s episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Brian Beers, a franchise broker and entrepreneur who built a $45M franchise empire from scratch. At just 37, Brian scaled his franchise portfolio of Midas shops to 33 locations, challenging the norms of franchising and proving that creativity, servant leadership, and strategic th…

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Creating Legacy Businesses in Franchising with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips 51:20

11M ago51:20

51:20

On today’s episode of Smart Franchising Podcast, we sit down with Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips, to talk about what it takes to build a legacy business in franchising. Before leading one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, Steve started as a franchisee with a vision. Over the past 36 years, he’s helped transform Great Clips from 15…

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A In Year Review 2024 30:58

11M ago30:58

30:58

We sat down with Executive Director of Global Buying and Merchandising, Eric Macaire and Senior Buyer of Watches, Elizabeth Millward to take a look back on 2024 and the horological environment. In this episode the pair discuss their highlights of 2024, trends and future predictions for what to expect in 2025.…

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Ethical Franchising Uncovered: Legal Insights with Ron Gardner 56:51

12M ago56:51

56:51

Ron Gardner’s journey from spinning records to spinning the wheels of justice is nothing short of extraordinary. As a former disc jockey turned trial lawyer, Ron has made a significant impact on the franchising world by protecting franchisees from fraud and unfair practices. Guided by his blue-collar upbringing, his mission is to support individual…

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EPISODE 8 - Crafting Connections with Chia Pei Qi & Kenneth Kuan 39:30

1y ago39:30

39:30

This episode of Tales from the Tribe features Chia Pei Qi and Ken Kuan, the visionary founders of Delugs. What began as a passion for leather craftsmanship in their Berkeley dorm room has grown into a thriving business specialising in watch straps, redefining how collectors personalise their timepieces. In this episode, Pei and Ken share their jour…

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What It Takes to Build a Beauty Empire, with Tyler Moore, COO of GLO30 42:54

1y ago42:54

42:54

What does it take to transform a local beauty brand into a franchise powerhouse? In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Moore, COO of GLO30, who’s helping turn a local favorite into a rapidly expanding beauty franchise with over 100 locations in development. Before this, Tyler was instrumental in growing brands like Drybar and Elements Massage at …

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EPISODE 7 - A suitcase full of dreams with Shashi Reddy 40:45

1y ago40:45

40:45

This episode of Tales from the Tribe features Shashi Reddy, one of the first members of “The Tribe.” From his journey to the U.S. as a very young man with big dreams to partnering with Apple and launching innovative ventures, Shashi’s story is one of perseverance, boldness, and timing. A born problem-solver with a passion for mechanics, he shares h…

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Building the World’s Largest Power Washing Brand: Aaron Harper’s Rolling Suds Story 59:00

1y ago59:00

59:00

Aaron Harper’s path to franchising was anything but ordinary. From navigating the glitz and glam of Hollywood to building Rolling Suds into a standout franchise, Aaron has seen both the spotlight and the shadows of entrepreneurship. In this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart, he doesn’t hold back on what it takes to build a franchise syste…

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Ray Harrigill’s 25+ Year Journey to Big Returns in Small Markets 49:32

1y ago49:32

49:32

As a law student working shifts in a restaurant, Ray Harrigill couldn’t have guessed that would become a launchpad for his franchising journey. Fast-forward 25 years, and Ray has built a thriving multi-unit business, bringing powerhouse brands like Massage Envy, My Salon Suite, and Palm Beach Tan into smaller markets with big returns. In this episo…

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EPISODE 6 - Thriving on the edge with Yann Mrazek 32:56

1y ago32:56

32:56

This sixth episode of our series features Yann Mrazek. Yann has excelled in both sport and business: a four-time Swiss Basketball League champion, he is now one of the most valued and respected business lawyers in Dubai. From professional athlete to fearless entrepreneur, Yann has always pushed his limits, embracing discomfort as a driver of succes…

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Ross Weisman, Co-Founder of Epic Managers: Building a 250+ Unit Empire with Massage Envy 47:26

1y ago47:26

47:26

Ross Weisman grew a single Massage Envy location into a 250+ unit empire across eight states. In this episode, he shares key insights from his success as an area representative for Massage Envy and European WaxCenter. Now, as co-founder of Epic Managers, Ross helps franchisees find and keep top talent. His experience shows that great managers are w…

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Franchise Times' John Hamburger Reveals Keys to Franchise Success and Overcoming Industry Challenges 41:35

1y ago41:35

41:35

In this episode, Dan Rowe sits down with John Hamburger, President of Franchise Times and Restaurant Finance Monitor, to discuss the secrets of success in the franchising industry. With a wealth of experience in finance and franchising, John shares his insights on industry growth, the challenges faced by restaurant brands, and what makes a strong f…

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The Vibe Restaurants Effect: How Irfaan Lalani Built 125 Locations Across Top Brands 1:02:43

1+ y ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Join Dan Rowe as he sits down with Irfaan Lalani, co-founder and CEO of Vibe Restaurants, who went from starting with one Little Caesars location to now running over 125+ restaurants across multiple brands, including Little Caesars, Wingstop, and Whataburger. Irfaan talks about the challenges of scaling in small markets, the importance of people in…

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EPISODE 5 - A spark of adrenaline with Alex Ghotbi 43:19

1+ y ago43:19

43:19

This fifth episode of our series features Alexandre Ghotbi. Passionate about watchmaking, he turned his passion into a profession after a career as a lawyer. Also known for his expertise for vintage watches, he is now one of the most important auctioneers in the watch market. In this episode, Alex tells about his childhood in Iran, the rising of hi…

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Unlocking Exponential Growth and Profitability in Franchising with Andrew Feghali 52:10

1+ y ago52:10

52:10

Starting with just a dream and sheer determination, Andrew Feghali has carved out a remarkable empire in the franchising world. Andrew Feghali, a self-made multi-unit franchisee, shares his journey from working in his family's Little Caesars at 13 to owning over 60 locations across three major brands. In this episode, he reveals the keys to his suc…

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The American Dream Realized: Paul Kushnir's Sprint to Success 58:03

1+ y ago58:03

58:03

From humble beginnings as a Ukrainian immigrant to becoming a titan in the franchising world, Paul Kushnir shares his remarkable success story on this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart.His story is a powerful example of the American dream in action. Paul shares his incredible journey from starting with a single mobile accessory business t…

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Peter Holt's Game-Changing Approach to Franchising Chiropractic Care 55:00

1+ y ago55:00

55:00

Peter Holt, CEO of The Joint Chiropractic, brings an impressive 38-year legacy in franchising to today’s episode. From his accidental entry into the franchise industry to spearheading a revolution in chiropractic accessibility, Peter shares his journey and the growth of The Joint Chiropractic to nearly 1,000 locations. Discover how simple yet innov…

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EPISODE 4 - Helping for good with Nirdhar Khazanie 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

This fourth episode of our series features Nirdhar Khazanie. Better known as Ninu, he’s a Senior Product Manager, working on Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp security and data privacy at Meta. No less! But first and foremost he’s a true watch lover, driven by the desire to help others. Ninu is both an incredibly determined gentleman, fou…

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The Art of Attracting Big Buyers in Franchising with Jay Sonner 43:51

1+ y ago43:51

43:51

In this episode of Smart Franchising with Fransmart, we sit down with Jay Sonner from North Point, a leading expert in mergers and acquisitions. With extensive experience in the restaurant and franchising industries, Jay shares his valuable insights on crafting a franchise that not only attracts buyers but also commands top dollar.Discover the secr…

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EPISODE 3 - Reinventing Human Body with Bill Doyle 30:58

1+ y ago30:58

30:58

This third episode of our series features Bill Doyle. Bill was early fascinated by the stories of engineers. He studied physics, material science and engineering, and developed while being a grad student in MIT the first practical electroluminescent lamps that were later integrated into watchmaking processes. Besides his passion for independent wat…

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In conversation with Journalist Scarlett Baker and Max Busser, Founder and CEO of MB+F. 39:31

1+ y ago39:31

39:31

In this exciting episode hosted by Scarlett Baker Journalist at Man about town, meets with Max Busser founder and CEO of MB+F watches. They discuss all things MB+F and Scarlett discovers the why and how of the brand.By Watches of Switzerland

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EPISODE 2 - The power of regrets with Todd Searle 33:51

1+ y ago33:51

33:51

This second episode of our series features Todd Searle. Todd defines himself as a dreamer, which is the best way to talk about him. He is so passionate about artisanal watchmaking that he left everything behind to live fully of his passion, becoming one of the main directors of watchmaking documentaries in the world.. Fierce protector of the spirit…

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EPISODE 1 - Learn how to smell the roses with Wen Hsieh 28:10

1+ y ago28:10

28:10

This first episode of our series features Wen Hsieh. He was, until recently, a managing partner at Kleiner Perkins, one of the world's most prominent venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, he's an expert at fostering tech innovations through startups, and he just started his own Hardtech VC firm Matter Venture Partners. Maximilian Büsser says tha…

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TALES FROM THE TRIBE : TEASER 1:00

1+ y ago1:00

1:00

To Maximilian Büsser, founder of MB&F, watchmaking is art, but most of all, it’s a mindset, a journey. The history of watchmaking is filled with adventurers - dreamers, engineers, artists who will each in their own way contribute to a better world. The watchmaking journey is first and foremost about very special individuals. Some are rebels and mav…