PE Profit Ladder Articles
Modrn Business Podcast: 2025 FRANdata
The franchise ownership model is evolving. On a recent episode of the Modrn Business podcast, hosted by Zack Fishman, CFE joined by guests Edith Wiseman and Alicia Miller, NACD.DC, CMAA, CFE dives into the trends that are redefining franchise growth, funding, and private equity interest—with expert insights on: - Why today’s franchisees are entering with a 5–10 year exit mindset How franchisors must rethink support and scalability to stay investable - The growing impact of credit risk scores like FUND on brand performance - What private equity and lenders are now both demanding from franchisors - Why resale activity is rising—and what it signals about system health
Gen Z, Skilled Trades, And Franchise Entrepreneurship
Gen Z is more and more aware of AI risk/opportunities to various jobs and it's driving more Gen Z to seek different careers compared to their parents. What does this mean to franchising? - We can expect continued, robust interest in entrepreneurship from Gen Z; some may be taking over their parents' businesses, others want to strike out on their own. - Gen Z entrepreneurs expect a tech-forward approach to running the business. It's a hard pass if your system is using antiquated tech. This includes unsophisticated marketing and highly manual training / support / documentation. Allow your franchisees and their employees to ask questions via AI to find faster solutions. Don't make them hunt and peck through a clunky operating platform to find things that turn out to be dated anyway. - Continued sale premium and demand (both PE buyers and franchisees) in categories perceived to have resilient customer demand & sustainable labor/profitability models. - Increased urgency to find viable consolidators in scale concepts. This is especially true in categories that are under extreme labor cost pressure and less likely to attract the next generation of entrepreneurs who are hypersensitive to various category risks. This means more PE-backed consolidation in some scale systems, working with strong operators. Some franchisors have been reluctant to accept this reality and even are putting in guardrails to try to keep the PE tail from wagging the franchisor dog in the relationship. If restrictions are taken too far, PE simply moves to greener pastures. Think carefully about long term ownership trends, franchisee tenure, and potential turnover before implementing overly restrictive PE-only covenants.
Emergent Managing Director Alicia Miller Recognized as Top 100 Franchise Influencer
The Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising list recognizes the most impactful and influential figures in the franchise industry. These individuals have not only built world-renowned franchise brands but have also leveraged their success to shape the global franchising landscape.
Why A Franchise’s Reputation in the Lending Community Is a Signal to Private Equity
Consider lender feedback a harbinger of PE feedback. If you can’t convince lenders to underwrite franchisee growth, you’re unlikely to convince PE buyers that you're a must-have asset. Do you know what your FRANdata FUND score is?
Private Equity in Franchising: Impact, Trends & 2025 M&A Forecast
Presented by the New England Franchise Association and Boston Franchise Business Network: Private equity has created a dominant position in franchising, with broad implications for all franchise stakeholders. In this dynamic session, we covered recent trends and made predictions about the 2025 M&A landscape. We also discussed how to be proactive and thoughtful about your strategy to engage with PE, whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, supplier, or even corporate employee. Live event with audience participation and questions.
Top 3 New Books for Entrepreneurs in 2025 - Axiom Book Awards
The Start-Up Club honors Axiom's top 3 business book picks in 2025. Every great business starts with a story—and this year’s Axiom Business Book Award winners in the Entrepreneurship & Small Business category have shared some of the best.
There Are No Franchise Lifeguards, and Don't Expect Private Equity to Save the Day
No lifeguards. Longer hold times. If it looks and smells like a "project" don't expect buyers to line up. This also applies to re-trades. This month in Franchise Times.
Big Money in Franchising Wins Silver in Axiom Business Books Awards
Founded in 2007, the Axiom Business Book Awards recognize outstanding new titles that drive professional growth and inspire positive change. In a landscape where leadership and innovation are crucial, these awards highlight books that serve as valuable resources for enhancing business acumen, fostering collaboration, and inspiring transformation. Whether through promoting effective strategies, encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, or advancing ethical practices, the Axiom Business Book Awards celebrate the creativity and ingenuity behind influential works in the business sector.
Multi-Unit Franchise Update
Update on multi-unit franchise ownership: Systems with scale continue to see consolidation over time as operators leverage best practices and efficiencies to build valuable, high-performing platforms. PE invests ...but they are not operators themselves! They want to back great operating talent who can improve the business and nurture a winning culture in a tough labor environment.
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PRIVATE EQUITY’S IMPACT ON FRANCHISING
EMERGING BRANDS
TRENDS
BUILDING SMART
PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES
TURNAROUNDS & CASE STUDIES