The Franzy Five

The Franzy Five

Our expert take on all things franchising in just 5 mins a week.

Archive

$12B Sandwich IPOs, Sanders' Nephew, and the FDD Line You'll Want to Read Twice

$12B Sandwich IPOs, Sanders' Nephew, and the FDD Line You'll Want to Read Twice

Jersey Mike's just filed for a $12B IPO, 50% above what Blackstone paid 18 months ago. Lee's Famous Recipe — started by Colonel Sanders' nephew — quietly does $1.8M per location. And the line on the FDD that decides whether your year one is a stretch or a breaking point.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
Robot Kiosks, Record Fines, and a $68K Franchise You Should Know About

Robot Kiosks, Record Fines, and a $68K Franchise You Should Know About

White Castle is deploying 1,000 kiosks with zero employees. The FTC just made franchise disclosure history. And there's a $68K mobile brand most people have never heard of.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
The World's Largest Franchise Operator Just Went All In on Fitness

The World's Largest Franchise Operator Just Went All In on Fitness

The world's largest franchise operator triples its fitness portfolio. Plus Mint Condition launches on Franzy and a stat that explains who really controls franchising.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
You Don't Need a Restaurant to Own a Franchise

You Don't Need a Restaurant to Own a Franchise

While big QSR operators file bankruptcy, home services is quietly booming. This week's brand, stats, and what to watch

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
A $2 Billion Bet on Bundt Cake

A $2 Billion Bet on Bundt Cake

KKR just bought Nothing Bundt Cakes from Roark. Plus MUFC highlights, a new brand on Franzy, and a Crumbl operator who started on Broadway.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
A $1.3 Billion Bet on Oil Changes

A $1.3 Billion Bet on Oil Changes

Private equity is flooding into franchising. Plus 3 new brands on Franzy, what Item 19 actually tells you, and we're heading to Vegas.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
One Franchisee. 61 Units. The KidStrong Mega-Deal.

One Franchisee. 61 Units. The KidStrong Mega-Deal.

Plus a new pet care brand, what our advisors are hearing on calls, and generational wealth through franchising.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
The Most Feel-Good Franchise in Coffee Just Added a Second Model

The Most Feel-Good Franchise in Coffee Just Added a Second Model

A mission-driven franchise with a brick-and-mortar shop and a mobile cruiser model.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
Patch It Up: The Drywall Franchise Built from Lessons Learned

Patch It Up: The Drywall Franchise Built from Lessons Learned

Ground-zero franchise design. Proven trades infrastructure. A founder who lived the franchising mistakes so you don't have to.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
🧘‍♀️ The Boutique Fitness Franchise Redefining Modern Pilates

🧘‍♀️ The Boutique Fitness Franchise Redefining Modern Pilates

High-intensity movement. Meditative energy. A subscription-driven model built for scale.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
🔥 Execution Over Expansion: What Franchising Is Signaling for 2026

🔥 Execution Over Expansion: What Franchising Is Signaling for 2026

Bankruptcies, resilient categories, and smarter brand marketing reveal where franchising is actually headed this year.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
🍧 The Mobile Dessert Franchise Turning Happiness Into High-Flex Revenue

🍧 The Mobile Dessert Franchise Turning Happiness Into High-Flex Revenue

Low startup costs. Total schedule freedom. And a product that sparks instant smiles... this mobile franchise is redefining what food franchising can look like.

Alex Smereczniak
Alex Smereczniak
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