Skip to content
PodcastsBusinessFranchise Secrets Podcast

Franchise Secrets Podcast

Erik Van Horn
Franchise Secrets Podcast
Latest episode

380 episodes

  • Franchise Secrets Podcast

    Tasks vs. People: A Conversation With a Chick-fil-A Operator

    2026/08/25 | 47 mins.
    Most business owners are asking how AI can save them time. Chick-fil-A Operator Jon Harmeling is asking a different question: What are you going to do with the time AI gives back to you?
     
    In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Jon Harmeling to discuss how he's using AI to automate repetitive administrative work while focusing on something much bigger than efficiency: leadership.
     
    Jon explains how he uses AI to better understand and invest in his 88 team members, identify employees who may be overlooked, keep track of individual goals, and free himself from repetitive tasks so he can spend more time developing people.
     
    They also dive into Chick-fil-A's unique Operator model, servant leadership, building a business that doesn't depend on the owner, experimenting with AI for employee scheduling, Claude Co-Work, and why business leaders need to start taking AI seriously.
     
    Jon's central message is simple: Managers focus on tasks. Leaders focus on people. AI can help get the tasks done—but what you do with the time it gives back may be far more important.
     
    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00 Building a business that doesn't need you
    04:01 The Chick-fil-A visit that changed Jon's life
    09:02 How the Chick-fil-A Operator model actually works
    13:20 Servant leadership and building the right culture
    18:23 Working on the business vs. working in it
    22:30 Can a Chick-fil-A Operator take a vacation?
    26:56 How Jon is using AI in his business
    28:46 Managers focus on tasks. Leaders focus on people.
    32:21 Using AI for efficiency vs. significance
    42:45 Preparing the next generation for AI
     
    Connect with Erik Van Horn:
    🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   
    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  
    👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  
    💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 
     
    Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
     
    #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #Franchising
  • Franchise Secrets Podcast

    How to Scale Your Franchise Without Running Out of Capital

    2026/08/18 | 32 mins.
    Scaling a franchise can look successful on paper while quietly draining your available cash.
     
    In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Sherri Seiber, President of FranFund, to break down what franchise owners need to know about funding growth without running out of capital.
     
    They discuss SBA lending, post-closing liquidity, burn rate, FDD Items 7, 19 and 20, and why both struggling and fast-growing franchise businesses can run into cash problems. Sherri explains how franchise buyers should think beyond simply funding Unit 1 and develop a strategy for Units 2, 3, and beyond. Erik also shares lessons from building 12 SOLA locations and what happened when their original SBA funding strategy suddenly changed.
     
    Timestamps:
    00:00 – Why SBA financing matters to franchise growth
    02:16 – Rising loan defaults among emerging franchise brands
    04:13 – Why post-closing liquidity is critical
    07:12 – The financial reality first-time franchise buyers need to understand
    08:23 – Using FDD Items 7, 19 & 20 to evaluate a franchise
    09:58 – Understanding your burn rate and true capital needs
    13:57 – The financial challenge of becoming a multi-unit "empire builder"
    15:58 – How to build a funding strategy for multiple franchise locations
    18:25 – Erik's real-world experience scaling to 12 SOLA locations
    21:06 – What happens when your original financing plan falls apart
     
    Connect with Erik Van Horn:
    🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   
    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  
    👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  
    💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 
     
    Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
     
    #Franchising #FranchiseGrowth #Business
  • Franchise Secrets Podcast

    Franchise Investing: First-Time Buyer vs. Experienced Owner

    2026/08/11 | 33 mins.
    Buying your first franchise is very different from buying your second, third, or fourth.
     
    First-time franchise buyers often wrestle with fear, FOMO, passion, replacing their W-2 income, and finding the "next big thing." Experienced franchise owners tend to evaluate opportunities differently—looking harder at validation, risk, enterprise value, territory, systems, and long-term scalability.
     
    In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn and Bobby Brennan break down how the franchise investor mindset changes with experience, why even successful entrepreneurs can make emotional buying decisions, and what every franchise buyer should evaluate before signing.
     
    You'll learn:
    • Why passion can cloud a franchise investment decision
    • How FOMO affects first-time buyers
    • Why experienced franchisees value validation
    • The risks of chasing emerging franchise trends
    • What "semi-absentee" really means
    • Why successful owners can become overconfident
    • How to think about multi-unit financial runway
    • What to validate before investing in a franchise
     
    Timestamps:
    00:00 First-Time vs. Experienced Franchise Buyers
    02:41 The Danger of Buying a Franchise Based on Passion
    06:40 Are Wellness Franchises the Next Big Thing?
    09:51 Why Wealthy Investors Still Make Emotional Decisions
    13:48 Stop Chasing the "Next Big Franchise"
    17:34 The Truth About Semi-Absentee Franchises
    21:34 What First-Time Buyers Actually Want
    24:00 How Experienced Franchise Owners Think Differently
    26:33 How Overconfidence Leads to Bad Franchise Decisions
    30:43 The Financial Reality of Multi-Unit Franchising
     
    Don't buy into the hype. Know your parameters, understand your finances, talk to franchisees, evaluate the team, and make an informed decision.
     
    Connect with Erik Van Horn:
    🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   
    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  
    👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  
    💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 
     
    Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
     
    #FranchiseInvesting #FranchiseBusiness #FranchiseSecrets
  • Franchise Secrets Podcast

    How Successful Franchise Brands Use AI

    2026/08/04 | 45 mins.
    AI is changing franchising...but not in the way most people think.
     
    In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Brooke Budke to discuss how successful franchise brands are using AI to improve franchise development, strengthen candidate relationships, and build more effective marketing strategies.
     
    They cover:
     
    -How AI is changing the franchise buying process
    -Why franchise candidates are showing up more informed than ever
    -The biggest mistakes franchisors make with AI
    -Why storytelling and authentic leadership still outperform automation
    -How founders can use AI without losing the human connection
     
    If you're a franchisor, franchise executive, franchise development professional, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you understand where AI fits—and where it doesn't.
     
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Why AI Is Changing Franchising
    05:49 The Biggest AI Mistakes Franchise Brands Make
    10:34 Why Storytelling Beats AI
    13:51 What Franchise Candidates Really Want
    17:57 Why Founders Should Be More Involved
    21:44 The Secret to Choosing the Right Franchisees
    26:42 Why Brooke Bet Everything on LinkedIn
    31:37 The Future of Social Media for Franchise Brands
    38:32 Building an Authentic Personal Brand
    45:09 Final Advice for Franchise Leaders
     
    Connect with Erik Van Horn:
    🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   
    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  
    👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  
    💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 
     
    Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
     
    #Franchising #AI #FranchiseDevelopment
  • Franchise Secrets Podcast

    Don't Let AI Pick Your Next Franchise

    2026/07/28 | 56 mins.
    Artificial intelligence is changing the way people research franchises—but should it make the decision for you?
     
    In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Amy Layne and Nic Leland to discuss how candidates are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude during the franchise discovery process. They break down where AI is incredibly helpful, where it often gets things wrong, and why the best franchise isn't always the one AI recommends.
     
    The most profitable business on paper may not be the right business for your goals, your family, or your lifestyle. Learn how to use AI as a powerful tool—not as your decision maker.
     
    Whether you're buying your first franchise or helping others through the discovery process, this conversation will change the way you think about AI and franchise investing.
     
    In this episode:
     
    -Why AI can recommend the wrong franchise
    -The biggest mistake buyers make with ChatGPT & Claude
    -How to use AI to make better franchise decisions
    -Why human guidance still matters
    -Questions every franchise buyer should ask before investing
     
    Timestamp:
    00:00 Don't Let AI Pick Your Next Franchise
    03:11 How AI Is Changing Franchise Buying
    08:04 Why AI Gets Franchise Questions Wrong
    14:05 The Problem With Letting AI Decide
    20:33 The Best Franchise Isn't Always the Most Profitable
    28:27 How Smart Buyers Actually Use AI
    36:27 Building Trust Instead of Following AI
    44:49 Better AI Prompts for Franchise Buyers
    52:02 Final Advice for Anyone Buying a Franchise
     
    Connect with Erik Van Horn:
    🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   
    📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  
    👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  
    💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 
     
    Best Franchise Starter Playlist:
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL
     
    #Franchise #AI #Entrepreneurship
More Business podcasts
About Franchise Secrets Podcast
Franchising specialist Erik Van Horn reveals the secrets he uses as a franchisee, consultant, investor and entrepreneur. Join us every Tuesday to learn tactical and practical tools that will help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.
Podcast website

Listen to Franchise Secrets Podcast, Aspire with Emma Grede and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features