Learn how successful franchise owners build wealth, protect their financial future, and scale with confidence in this powerful episode of Stars of Franchising. Ab sits down with financial strategist and franchise‑focused advisor Ruzanna Queenan to explore the essential financial habits every franchisee needs—whether you're opening your first unit or running a fast‑growing multi‑unit operation.

Ruzanna shares her journey from early financial hardship to becoming a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs, revealing why money mindset matters more than math and how personal financial patterns can impact franchise performance. She breaks down the biggest mistakes new franchisees make, including relying solely on business growth for retirement, underestimating cash‑flow pressures, and neglecting long‑term planning.
Listeners will discover:

• How to build a strong financial foundation for franchising
• The critical difference between corporate careers and entrepreneurship
• Why cash flow, budgeting, and disciplined distributions determine long‑term success
• How a Virtual Family Office can support franchise owners with CPAs, attorneys, lending experts, and more
• When to start building your franchise exit strategy (spoiler: day one)
• The rise of women in franchising and the challenges they’re overcoming
• How AI and emerging tech are reshaping franchise operations and financial decision‑making

Whether you're exploring franchise ownership, preparing to scale, or looking to strengthen your financial systems, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you grow smarter—not just bigger. Perfect for franchisees, franchisors, small‑business owners, and anyone seeking long‑term wealth through franchising.

“Great franchisees aren’t born — they’re built. And it always starts with how they think, not just what they do.”

In this standout episode, we sit down with Scott Greenberg — international speaker, best-selling author of The Wealthy Franchisee, and one of the most respected voices in franchise performance. With 10 years of firsthand experience as a multi-unit franchisee and two decades of coaching top brands around the world, Scott brings clarity to the one question every operator needs to answer:

Why do some franchisees thrive while others struggle — even with the same brand, the same training, and the same resources?

Blending research, storytelling, and humor, Scott breaks down the difference between operational competence and performance psychology — showing how elite operators think, lead, and make decisions differently.

In this episode:

• Why identical franchise systems produce wildly different results
• The mindset patterns of high-performing franchise operators – and how to build them intentionally
• Why “work ethic” and “hours logged” aren’t enough to win
• How frustration, comparison, and burnout quietly sabotage great operators
• What franchisors can do to truly develop — not just train — their franchisees
• Traits of the most coachable (and least coachable) franchisees
• Why culture has become a performance multiplier in modern franchising
• The difference between growing units and growing leaders
• Emotional management in the face of setbacks, competition, and online reviews
• The future of franchise performance in an AI-accelerated world

From psychology to practical tactics, Scott delivers a masterclass in how smart operators turn ordinary franchise models into extraordinary results — without losing themselves in the process.

If you’re a franchisor looking to raise your system’s performance ceiling, or a franchisee determined to reach the next level, this conversation will reshuffle how you think, lead, and compete.

“If you can sell, you can build. And if you can build, you can lead.”

In this special episode, we welcome Alex DiPietro, Babson alum, former hockey player, and the first undergraduate Babson grad featured on Stars of Franchising. Alex brings a dynamic mix of tech sales grit, deep family legacy, and second-generation franchise leadership to the table.

As a multi-unit Dunkin’ operator and second-gen franchisee in one of the most iconic family-run Dunkin’ operations in the Northeast, Alex shares how his background in sales, sports, and entrepreneurship shaped his approach to franchising — and how he’s forging his own path while honoring a powerful legacy.

🎙️ In this episode:

• How tech sales gave him the entrepreneurial backbone for franchising
• Lessons learned from legendary operator Carlos Andrade
• The myth of absentee ownership — and why leadership starts in the store
• Why he earned his general contractor license to lead remodels himself
• The value of “healthy tension” between ‘Zors and ‘Zees
• Using collaboration and shared infrastructure to drive growth and efficiency
• What keeps him up at night: defining his legacy

From legacy to innovation, Alex’s story is a blueprint in leading from the front.

"We’ve been lucky to grow up in a playground of entrepreneurship — churros just happen to be the medium."

In this energizing episode of Stars of Franchising, we sit down with Mateo and Tadeo Acosta-Rubio, Venezuelan-American brothers and second-generation leaders of the beloved global franchise Churromania. From childhood shifts behind the register to launching tech startups while studying at Babson College, their story is about more than just churros — it’s about turning family legacy into innovation.

As co-founders of Clave, a franchise analytics startup, and former founders of Stuvie, the “Airbnb for music studios,” Mateo and Tadeo are blending deep-rooted franchise experience with a Gen Z lens for scale, data, and social impact.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Growing up “smelling like churros” — and turning that into a career
• Why franchising is a goldmine for problem-solvers and innovators
• The creation of Clave, an AI-powered co-pilot for franchise operators
• How social impact and family values fuel their leadership
• Advice from their parents that still guides them daily
• How they’re redefining what it means to be young franchise leaders in a multigenerational business

Whether you're a next-gen franchisee, tech-enabled entrepreneur, or someone building legacy with purpose — this one’s for you.

"Franchising is not just a business model. It’s an ecosystem of shared success."

As the founder of GNF Worldwide, Fernando López de Castilla Elías has helped shape the franchise landscape across more than 10 countries. From consulting and sales outsourcing to franchise-focused investment banking, Fernando’s firm has completed over 10,000 deals — making him one of the most influential figures in international franchising today.

In this episode of Stars of Franchising, Fernando joins Ab and Vini to share what it takes to build franchise systems that scale responsibly and sustainably around the globe. With deep expertise in Latin America and a sharp perspective on what it means to “professionalize” franchising, Fernando brings the kind of global insight that franchise leaders at every stage need to hear.

In this episode, Fernando discusses:

• Why most Latin American franchisors fail when they try to scale too soon
• What franchising maturity looks like — and how to know if you're ready to go global
• How his legal and finance background shaped GNF’s investment discipline
• The biggest gaps between U.S. and emerging market franchising approaches
• Why long-term partnerships, not transactions, are the future of the franchise model
• How GNF Worldwide is helping create a new generation of global franchise leaders

This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about international growth, emerging markets, or how to turn a franchise system into a long-term asset.

"If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu."

Rob Branca is more than just a multi-unit Dunkin’ operator — he’s a legal mind, real estate investor, second-generation franchisee, and one of franchising’s most active advocates on Capitol Hill. Rob sits down with Ab and Vini to unpack his journey from law school to leadership, and the critical role franchisees play in shaping the future of the industry.

With a deep belief in ownership as a tool for economic mobility, Rob shares powerful insights about scaling with control, staying engaged in policy, and building businesses that give back to the communities they serve.

☕️ In this episode, Rob discusses:
-Why owning real estate is one of a franchisee’s greatest advantages
-The laws and politics shaping the future of franchising — and why your voice matters
-The “death zone” in franchising: the real challenges of scaling from 3 to 10 units
-How franchising creates generational wealth and opportunity, especially for immigrants and underserved communities
-The importance of over-communicating and collaborative leadership between ‘Zors and ‘Zees
-Why every franchisee should understand their franchisor’s incentives — and vice versa

PLUS: Why Rob believes franchising is America’s best-kept economic secret, and what modern operators must do to both thrive and protect the system.

"Our business is about helping people feel better — whether that’s in body, in mindset, or through entrepreneurship."

Lindsey McFadden didn’t just join the wellness franchising movement — she’s helping shape the future of it. As Chief Marketing Officer at Stretch Zone, Lindsey brings her sharp eye for strategy and a people-first approach to one of the fastest-growing brands in the health and wellness space. Under her leadership, Stretch Zone has opened 250+ units in just three years — with a perfect record of zero studio closures.

In this energizing episode, Lindsey joins Ab and Vini to share how the brand is scaling responsibly, marketing a category-defining service, and empowering franchisees through community-driven leadership.

🎧 In this episode, Lindsey discusses:
🌿 Why she left the consultant world to lead from within
📈 The strategy behind Stretch Zone’s hyper-growth
📍 The challenge of educating consumers in a new wellness category
📣 How storytelling and visuals are driving awareness and demand
🤝 What great franchisor-franchisee communication really looks like
👩‍💼 Why 43% of their franchisees are women — and how she sees that number growing

PLUS: Stretch Zone’s next frontier — international expansion, a custom app, and how they’re making national membership access seamless for customers across the U.S.

This one is a masterclass in leading with clarity, collaboration, and impact. Don’t miss it.

"You don’t need to be an expert in everything — you just need vision, leadership, and great people."

Victor Berny grew up in his family’s hardware store business in Mexico. Today, he’s the visionary behind one of the region’s fastest-scaling franchise portfolios — including Little Caesars, Wingstop, and Dunkin’ — with dozens of units across the Yucatán and beyond.

In this powerhouse episode of Stars of Franchising, Victor joins Ab and Vini to discuss his journey from modest beginnings to multi-brand franchise leadership — and the mindset shifts that helped him unlock bold growth.

Listen in as Victor shares:

• Why Little Caesars was a turning point — and how the family pivoted into franchising
• How U.S. trends influence brand strategy in Mexico
• The real art behind choosing the right brands and the right locations
• The pros and cons of launching 20 stores at once
• How to build a talent pipeline that scales as fast as your business
• Why “horchata lattes” and local innovation are key to winning hearts

PLUS: What the best franchisors do to earn trust, stay engaged, and treat their franchisees like true partners — especially across borders.

Victor also reflects on how his Babson experience reignited his confidence — and helped him dream even bigger.