The Franchise Decoded Podcast

Funding 101 with Shirley Kefgen and Tera Thomas

Think you need perfect credit and a pile of cash to buy a franchise? Think again. Former funding experts Shirley Kefgen and Tera Thomas from FranPath reveal the insider secrets that most aspiring business owners never hear about. 
 
In this eye-opening conversation with host Sam Schweitzer, they expose why your local bank will probably say no, how to access your own retirement money without penalties or taxes, and the funding strategy that lets you borrow from yourself interest-free. From ROBS rollovers to home equity hacks, they break down every option that banks don't want you to know about.
 
Discover why "using other people's money" isn't always the smartest move, the myth about SBA loans that keeps people broke, and how one FranPath team member turned under $200K into a seven-figure business sale. If you think you can't afford to buy a franchise, this episode will completely change your perspective on what's possible.

Let's Talk About It with Derek Bishop

From franchise owner at 22 to seven-figure exit by 30, Derek Bishop did it all before most people figure out their career path. But here's what nobody tells you: the real education cost him six figures in mistakes. Now he's bringing that hard-won expertise to FranPath.
In this unfiltered conversation with host Sam Schweitzer, Derek reveals why he walked away from corporate America at the peak of his earning years, what his 4-year-old knows about business that most adults don't, and the one piece of advice that has generated more money for him than any franchise system ever could.

Let's Talk About It with Jake Hamburger

From Division I basketball courts to franchise boardrooms, Jake Hamburger's journey proves that sometimes your biggest career pivot leads to your greatest success. But here's what nobody talks about: he didn't just consult on franchises: he bought one, built it, and sold it before joining FranPath.
In this candid conversation with host Sam Schweitzer, Jake reveals the inside secrets he learned working with 13 different franchise concepts, why some founders create franchise empires, while others build systems destined to fail, and the red flags that separate winning brands from costly mistakes. As someone who's been on both sides of the table, Jake breaks down what really happens when franchisors don't know what they're looking for in franchisees.
Discover the surprising parallel between recruiting college athletes and finding the right franchise fit, why nerves before signing might actually be a good thing, and the validation mistake that Jake sees candidates make over and over again.

The White Collar Franchise That Makes Money While You Sleep

What if you could leverage the buying power of Amazon without being Amazon? Host Sam Schweitzer sits down with Kody Slade, president of Speedy Freight US, and Dana DeMarino, Director of Development, from Franchise FastLane, to reveal the B2B franchise that's solving a billion-dollar problem most people don't even know exists.
 
Every small business ships products, but they're getting crushed by shipping costs that big corporations don't pay. Speedy Freight franchisees step in as consultants, saving clients money on both ends while building recurring revenue streams that grow automatically. No dirty work, no retail headaches, just relationship-building that pays. Kody, a former franchisee turned franchisor, and Dana, who owns five franchises herself, break down why this model works for corporate refugees who want the B2B world without the complexity. Discover the personality type that thrives here, why logistics experience actually doesn't matter, and how one conversation can turn into years of recurring income.
 
Warning: If you hate talking to people, this isn't for you. But if you're the neighborhood mayor type, this episode reveals how to turn relationship-building into serious wealth.

Maybe You Shouldn't Own a Franchise

"I don't think you should do this." It's the conversation every franchise consultant dreads having, but veteran franchise owners Sam Schweitzer and Jamie Major from FranPath Consulting aren't afraid to deliver hard truths when necessary.
 
In this no-holds-barred episode, two successful franchise owners reveal why some people who think they want to own a franchise absolutely shouldn't. They expose the personality types that are destined to fail, the essential characteristics that separate winners from losers, and the surprising trait that can sabotage your franchise success.
 
Sam and Jamie share the raw truth about who gets steered away and why. Plus, discover the worst-case scenario question that makes people rethink their so-called failures.

Mother Nature Doesn't Care and Insurance Has to Pay

Every 30 seconds, another American home gets hit with water damage. Every single time, insurance companies face the same painful choice: pay $30,000-$50,000 for a complete kitchen renovation or... well, there was no "or" until now.
Host Sam Schweitzer and franchise veteran Storm Miller expose how Renew Medic discovered a billion-dollar blind spot in the restoration industry. While everyone else was focused on tear-downs and rebuilds, they cracked the code on saving damaged kitchen cabinets for a fraction of the cost.
This isn't just another franchise story. It's a masterclass in finding massive opportunities hiding in plain sight, where Mother Nature creates the demand and insurance companies are legally required to pay.

Franchise Legend John Rotche: From Domino's Delivery Driver to IFA Hall of Fame

A career-ending injury led John Rotche, a former Michigan football player, to deliver pizzas for Domino's founder, Tom Monaghan, and ultimately to a 35-year franchise empire. In this candid conversation, the IFA award winner shares how following systems over ego has built multiple national brands, such as DUCTZ and Title Boxing Club, why mentorship matters more than innovation, and how a recent car accident led him to FranPath Consulting. Two franchise veterans reveal the counterintuitive wisdom behind sustainable business success and why the proven path consistently outperforms the glamorous one.

Let's Talk About It with Shirley Kefgen

After 25 years of helping thousands achieve franchise ownership, funding consultant Shirley Kefgen finally took her own advice. In this candid conversation with fellow franchise owner and FranPath Consulting founder Sam Schweitzer, Shirley opens up about her journey from data entry to becoming the most trusted funding expert in franchising and why she recently signed her first franchise agreement for a pool cleaning business (spoiler: she's never touching a pool).
Two franchise owners who've walked the walk share real talk about why the smartest move isn't always the sexiest one, how to avoid "ruin your life money" decisions, and what it really takes to build wealth outside the W-2 world. Whether you're considering franchise ownership or curious about the funding side of the business, this insider perspective from the FranPath Consulting team will shift how you think about evaluating opportunities, managing risk, and building generational wealth.

Cutting Edge Cabinets: How Ryan Carved Out His Franchise Success Story

Sam and Brent of FranPath Consulting measure twice and cut once in this conversation with Jake Hamburger from Franchise Fastlane and Ryan Colburn, who traded spreadsheets for kitchen spreads as a Cabinet IQ franchisee. Ryan opens the doors to his journey from finance to furnishing beautiful kitchens, explaining how Cabinet IQ fits perfectly in the space between cookie-cutter big-box stores and the limited capacity of local craftsmen. With tech-savvy solutions and room to build his business his way, Ryan's blueprint for scaling to five showrooms gives listeners a glimpse into the nuts and bolts of franchise ownership. Whether you're looking to unlock new business opportunities or just curious about custom cabinetry, this episode will help you draw your own conclusions!

From Law School to Pizza Empire: The Rise of Cascadia Pizza

Sam and Emilio chat with Cascadia Pizza co-founder Thomas Reinhard and Franchise Fastlane VP Carin Skowronsky about their unique wood-fired pizza franchise. Thomas shares his journey from law school to pizza entrepreneur, while the team breaks down Cascadia's innovative three-pronged business model, combining brick-and-mortar locations with food trucks and catering. With authentic wood-fired ovens from Italy and a digestible proprietary dough blend, this community-focused brand is disrupting the pizza industry. If you're looking for a franchise opportunity that combines quality, community, and multiple revenue streams, this one is worth a bite (and listen).