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everbowl Franchisee Touts Steady Development Pace By Matthew Liedke Franchise Times Justin Sloan may not have the same name recognition as everbowl franchisees Drew Brees or Jayson Tatum, but he’s a major partner for the acai brand nonetheless. Sloan, the CEO of private equity firm Sloan Capital, became a franchisee in 2021, signing development agreements for Texas and his home state of Iowa. The south has his larger commitment of opening 50 units, and he plans to develop 10 stores in the Midwest. His beginnings didn’t come in the restaurant industry, though. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sloan launched his business career after high school in retail with cell phone stores. As a partner with T-Mobile, he was able to develop several locations in the state, and it led him to another business model. “I fell in love with real estate during that time and started buying single-family homes while owning my cell phone business and having somebody else run them,” Sloan said. “From there, I scaled up to apartment buildings and then bought some of the strip malls my phone stores were located in.” Eventually, his real estate portfolio was large enough that Sloan could exit the cell phone industry after nearly 14 years. “I sold those locations and then my plan was just to kind of hang back and invest in some different companies while buying real estate,” Sloan said. “It was a chance for me to take a break and I did that for a year or two. Then the pandemic hit.” As businesses were navigating the coronavirus situation, Sloan was invited to a meeting of entrepreneurs in Phoenix to discuss what was happening across industries. It was there that he met Everbowl founder and CEO Jeff Fenster. “I’m from Iowa, where meals are meat and potatoes,” Sloan said. “But I tried Everbowl and it piqued my interest. It was delicious, good for you and the ingredients were great. I ended up flying out to San Diego and I basically wouldn’t leave their stores because I wanted to see the interactions and what the brand was all about.” Sloan said the idea that the brand needed to be everywhere “clicked” and he decided to get involved. While he originally planned only to invest, he decided to go a step further and become a franchisee. In doing so, he joined a system with some big names. Brees, a former National Football League (NFL) quarterback who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints, and Tatum, a star with the Boston Celtics who just helped his team win an National Basketball Association (NBA) title, are franchisees. So is online personality and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. To assist with the ongoing development, Sloan said he’s utilizing the real estate arm of Sloan Capital, which has about 60 investors, to fund restaurants. As a result, Sloan said they’re being opened in both states without debt. Getting those Everbowl units up and running, Sloan said...Click-Thru to read more. https://lnkd.in/ePc3Xig6

Franchise expansion is one of the most critical goals for any brand, but it’s not always smooth sailing. As a Franchisor CEO, how do you handle situations when top-level leaders aren’t meeting expectations? Often, highly competent professionals struggle with franchise expansion because franchise recruitment is not their forte. Mastering franchise recruitment marketing, selling, and FTC compliance are specialized skills that take time to develop and they aren’t automatically part of every leader’s expertise and within their capability. Vote in the poll below and feel free to share your ideas in the comments to help struggling franchise CEOs solve their people and expansion challenges. Your insight could make a difference!

FTC Announces Crackdown on Deceptive AI Claims and Schemes By Federal Trade Commission With Operation AI Comply, agency announces five law enforcement actions against operations that use AI hype or sell AI technology that can be used in deceptive and unfair ways

Mic Adam for your poll, our team’s milestone for 2025 is to leverage LinkedIn Premium Company Pages to expand brand visibility, grow Page Followers, and boost engagement. At Franchise Info, we’re helping our franchisor brand and supplier clients do the same producing LinkedIn Events from Pages and page tools to spark one to one conversations on and off Linkedin. By focusing on these features, we’re not only growing our Franchise Info community but also supporting our clients in building their brands and engaging meaningfully with their networks. Wishing you and the entire LinkedIn community a year filled with impactful collaborations, growth, and success. Here’s to making 2025 unforgettable! 🚀 Looking forward to seeing how others plan to achieve their goals so cheers to a fantastic year ahead! 🙌 Ned Lyerly Michael (Mike) Webster PhD William (Bill) Edwards, CFE Joe Caruso

What is the Biggest Threat for Franchisors in Today's Market? Description: The franchise industry faces unique challenges that require strategic foresight, particularly at the C-suite level. While robust franchise systems are key, the leadership team often encounters critical roadblocks. This poll focuses on four pivotal threats - 1. Inexperienced C-Suite Leadership: The absence of seasoned leaders who understand franchising nuances can lead to operational inefficiencies and strategic missteps. 2. Underutilization of Third-Party Advisors: Failing to engage experienced franchising consultants might mean missing out on proven strategies and innovative solutions. 3. Inadequate Funding: Limited financial resources can stymie growth, technological advancements, and market expansion. 4. Weak Franchise Concept: Poorly developed or unscalable franchise offerings may fail to attract quality franchisees or retain market relevance. Your input matters! Cast your vote and share your insights in the comments. If we missed it what do you think is the most pressing issue? Have you encountered these challenges, and how did you address them? Let's discuss ways to future-proof franchise success.

Franchise Regulations: Balancing Transparency and Opportunity Franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) in the U.S. bring uniformity and transparency, offering a clear roadmap for prospective franchisees. In contrast, regions like the UK, which lack strict regulations, allow for faster processes but risk misalignment or surprises later. Meanwhile, systems like France’s DIP ensure thorough consideration with mandatory review periods. Each approach has its strengths and challenges, but one thing is clear: transparency builds trust, and trust drives successful partnerships. How do you see franchise regulations shaping the industry’s future? #Franchising #BusinessLeadership #Transparency

Advisors: The Key to Franchise Success Behind every successful franchisee is a strong support system, and advisors play a critical role in that journey. From navigating the complexities of operations to providing guidance on growth strategies, a good advisor bridges the gap between potential and performance. Franchisors who prioritize advisory support not only empower their franchisees but also build lasting partnerships that drive mutual success. How do you see the role of advisors evolving in franchising? #Franchising #Leadership #BusinessSupport

Why Structure Matters in Franchise Recruitment A well-structured franchise recruitment process is key to building trust and attracting the right candidates.  From initial outreach to final agreements, a multi-stage process provides clear objectives at every step, ensuring prospects are informed and confident in their decisions. This structure not only streamlines the journey but also reflects the operational discipline franchisees expect to see in the brand.  Remember, the process is part of the pitch. Are you showcasing the clarity and organization that candidates will experience as part of your franchise system?  Let’s discuss how structure drives results in franchise recruitment! #Franchising #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

Building the Ideal Franchise Candidate Profile: The 3 C’s Successful franchising starts with identifying the right candidates. The foundation? The 3 C’s:  - **Character**: Aligning values and work ethic with the brand's culture.   - **Capital**: Ensuring financial readiness for investment and growth.   - **Capability**: Bringing the skills and experience needed to succeed in operations.  A strong candidate profile isn't just about checking boxes; it's about creating a partnership where both franchisor and franchisee thrive.  How do you evaluate potential franchisees for long-term success? Share your thoughts! #Franchising #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship