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Welcome to Creme de la Creme: Franchise Industry News - a publication that brings you the latest news from the franchise world’s most influential characters.
From AI-driven discovery to evolving franchise regulations, the landscape of franchising is shifting fast. This month’s issue spotlights how brands are adapting — and where advocacy matters most. Learn how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is helping franchises rise to the top of AI-powered search, why streamlining your marketing tech stack can strengthen brand performance, and what the latest Hardee’s lawsuit reveals about franchisor–franchisee relations.
Sit back and relax as SeoSamba brings you highlights from the incredible world of franchise influencers, shedding light on the latest developments and achievements within the franchise industry.
2025 SeoSamba Top 100 Global Franchise Influencers Who's Who
We’re thrilled to announce more innovators from the 2025 SeoSamba Top 100 Global Franchise Influencers list, spotlighting the visionaries shaping the future of franchising. This year’s honorees include Brooke Janousek from Garage Experts. Brooke is full of charisma, generosity of spirit, and infectious energy. She is known as an inspirational leader who sees possibility and opportunity every step of the way. Rick Grossman from Franchise Bible Group, head of the Entrepreneur Franchise Advisors program, serves as an executive coach and strategist for multiple franchise clients and is the co-host of the Franchise Bible Coach Radio Podcast; Kim Perrotta with World Wise Franchise, whose expertise includes franchise sales and development, franchisee support, operations, marketing, financial management, real estate, construction, domestic US and international franchise brand building, and brand acquisitions. Also featured are Michael Reeder from Reeder CPA Group, an experienced CPA specializing in the business buying process, providing comprehensive advice on accounting, income taxes, entity structure, funding, and financial projections to prospective business/franchise owners; Mirco Comparini with Studio Comparini & Russo, who specializes in business, accounting, tax, corporate, administrative, consulting and assistance consulting for franchising; and Eric Schechterman from Unleashed Brands, who specializes in international expansion, franchising, business growth driving, leasing, process optimisation, efficiency driving, franchise management, leadership, market expansion, operational strategy execution, profitability focus, relationship building, retail operations management, and strategic planning
SHAKERS & MOVERS
Franchise World Updates: Who's Moving Up and Who's Taking New Roles
Congratulations to all the professionals making strides in their careers! Here's a quick look at the latest movements in the franchise industry:
Paul Tis- Junk King
New Role: Brand President
Company Overview: Junk King is a brand with a strong franchise network and reputation as a leader in the junk removal industry, built on innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to exceptional customer service. Paul looks forward to building on the company’s momentum, empowering their franchise owners, and driving continued profitable growth and operational excellence across the Junk King brand.
Roger Weinstock- Heyday
New Role: Franchise Growth & Strategy Leader
Company Overview: Heyday Skincare is a fast-growing facial-focused franchise redefining how people approach skincare. Founded on the belief that professional skin treatments should be accessible, not exclusive, Heyday offers personalized, 50-minute facials guided by licensed estheticians who tailor every session to each client’s needs. The brand combines expert care with a modern, data-driven experience—integrating digital tools, a proprietary product line, and education to help clients maintain healthier skin between visits. With locations in major U.S. cities and rapid franchise expansion underway, Heyday is making routine skincare a seamless part of everyday wellness.
Jeff Pleis- Lightbridge Academy
New Role: VP of Franchise Operations
Company Overview: Lightbridge Academy is a U.S. franchise network offering early childhood education and child care, serving children from infancy through kindergarten (and extending services during breaks) under a philosophy called the Circle of Care that emphasizes support for children, families, staff, and communities.
They launched franchising in 2011, and now have over 160 centers either open or in development.
Their model integrates technology (e.g. real-time monitoring, parent communication apps) and flexible offerings such as “back-up care” to meet the evolving needs of working parents.
Amanda Steckler- goGlow
New Role: Director of Marketing
Company Overview: goGLOW is a modern sunless tanning and skincare franchise transforming the spray tan experience with clean, vegan, cruelty-free products and precision application. Its streamlined, high-margin model combines beauty services with retail skincare sales, offering recurring revenue and a compact footprint. Backed by comprehensive training and marketing support, goGLOW gives franchisees an accessible entry into the fast-growing beauty and wellness industry.
FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT
How to Handle Today’s Common Franchise Development Challenges
By Alicia Miller, Emergent Growth Advisors (original author), originally published in Franchise Times on August 29, 2025
Miller argues that when franchise recruiting stalls, the first fix is looking inward, not blaming rates or the economy. Brands should reassess unit economics, ramp-to-breakeven, support, and the franchisor–franchisee relationship—stale models get outpaced by fresher “2.0” concepts. She cautions against selling licenses too fast (often PE-fueled), which leads to swollen sold-not-open funnels and later stall-outs; instead, slow sales, open units, and prove performance. On broker/FSO dynamics, she warns against chasing multi-packs or slicing territories just to win commissions. Play the long game: publicize opening track records and strong unit financials to attract better candidates. Given today’s sales environment, emerging brands should secure dedicated outside sales support and consider PE-backed multi-brand platforms for their broker network clout—while still prioritizing operations that validate.
Read the full column by Alicia Miller →
FRANCHISE BRAND MARKETING
Stop Letting Disconnected Tools Hold Your Franchise Back
AI now determines what customers see first — and what they trust most. From ChatGPT and Grok to AI-powered ad algorithms, visibility in AI-driven results can mean the difference between franchise growth and obscurity.
Yet too many franchise systems still juggle disconnected marketing tools for websites, ads, CRM, and social. This patchwork approach wastes budget, slows decision-making, and prevents AI from recognizing your brand as a credible, unified source.
To stay competitive, franchises must simplify their marketing tech stack, structure data for AI, and create a single source of truth across every location.
Learn how to get your franchise noticed in AI-powered snippets and avoid the pitfalls of fragmented marketing.
[Read more →]
FRANCHISE ADVOCACY & LEGAL NEWS
Legal Spotlight: Hardee’s vs. Paradigm — 76 Franchise Locations at Risk
Hardee’s parent company, CKE Restaurants, is attempting to terminate the franchise agreements of Paradigm Investment Group, which operates 76 Hardee’s in the Southeast, over allegations that the franchisee refuses to extend operating hours past 2 p.m. and adopt mandated digital upgrades (online ordering, third-party delivery, loyalty programs) (source: NY Post). Paradigm claims these demands are financially unsustainable, citing a $173 million investment and $87+ million in royalties already paid, and accuses CKE of acting in bad faith and applying new requirements outside their original contract (source: NY Post) The litigation raises broader questions about a franchisor’s ability to enforce evolving system standards post facto and the balance between brand consistency and franchisee autonomy.
This article was originally published on nypost.com. Read the full article here. The views and opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of SeoSamba or its affiliates. This summary is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
MEDIA & LEARNING
Answer Engine Optimization- The Next Frontier For Franchise Growth
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how people search online — and how they find your brand. From ChatGPT and Perplexity to Alexa and Google Assistant, users- consumers and prospects- increasingly ask questions conversationally and expect instant, factual answers. The result? Traditional SEO alone is no longer enough. What has taken the internet world by storm is known as Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), or Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO).
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the strategy that ensures your franchise is part of those instant AI-powered responses. It’s how your content becomes AI’s top recommendation — not just another link buried in search results.
What Is AEO?
AEO structures your website content to provide direct, clear, and concise answers to user questions. Instead of long, narrative blogs that make readers scroll for answers, AEO surfaces the information upfront in formats that AI tools understand and can quote directly.
By doing so, your franchise:
- Increases visibility in AI answers, voice assistants, and smart search results
- Builds authority as a trusted industry source
- Delivers a better user experience with fast, accurate information
Why It Matters for Franchisors
Franchise systems thrive on visibility and consistency. AEO ensures your brand messaging — and not a third-party site — is what AI references when customers ask questions like:
- “Who is the best independent car appraiser in Detroit?”
- “Do I need an appraisal for agreed value insurance in Charlotte?”
By optimizing content at both the corporate and franchise-location levels, you improve brand recognition, local authority, and lead quality across all your territories.
Two Ways to Appear in AI Results
- As the Result:
Your brand is the direct answer — the business AI cites by name.
This requires strong credibility signals like citations, reviews, and consistent online authority. - As the Resource:
Even if another site is cited, AI can still pull from your content when it’s structured with question-based headers, short paragraphs, and clear context.
Both approaches build visibility and authority for your franchise network.
SEO vs. AEO
7 Steps to Implement AEO Across Your Franchise Network
- Understand Search Intent:
Identify what your audience is trying to do — find information, compare options, or make a purchase — and answer those needs directly. - Use Question-Based Headers:
Turn subheadings into natural-language questions like “What is Agreed Value Insurance?” - Provide Direct Answers Upfront:
Write 40–60-word summaries at the top of each section before expanding with supporting details. - Structure Content Clearly:
Use bullet points, lists, and internal links to guide AI and users alike. - Add FAQs Sections:
Include Q&A blocks on every service page and create a dedicated FAQ page for maximum AEO impact. - Create ‘Best Fit Briefs’ and ‘Top Reasons’ Articles:
Short, focused blogs that establish your franchise as the best choice for a given service or location — such as “Who Is the Best Diminished Value Appraiser in Cincinnati?” - Publish Case Studies:
Real examples give AI more context about your expertise and reinforce trust with human readers.
The Bottom Line
Answer Engine Optimization is the bridge between today’s SEO and tomorrow’s AI-driven discovery. Early adopters — especially franchisors — gain a competitive edge by owning the conversation where customers are already asking questions.
Now is the time to position your franchise network as AI’s go-to recommendation for your industry.
More visibility. More trust. More conversions.
If you need assistance updating your network of websites to be optimized for AI, contact SeoSamba. From consulting with you, to implementing it on your behalf, our expert staff is ready to help you!
Creme de la Creme is brought to you by SeoSamba, a marketing and sales automation software suite provider, with turnkey franchise development and franchise brand marketing solutions for emerging franchise brands. Each year, SeoSamba reviews thousands of nominees and awards the Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising award to the most influential characters in the franchise world.
If you have news that you’d like to have published in an upcoming edition, you may submit it to influencers@seosamba.com for consideration.
Thanks for reading!
