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The Franchise Leaders Forum PodcastAuthor: Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn
Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day.Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say YES to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community.By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast.In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations.Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon prov Language: en-us Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Why PR Is a Long Game & Why Franchise Leaders Should Play It w/ Sherri Fishman
Episode 45
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026
PR isn’t a “nice to have” in franchising, it’s a credibility engine.Today we are chatting with Sherri Fishman, founder of Fishman Public Relations, for a conversation about how public relations has shaped franchise growth for more than three decades and why its impact is even more critical today.Sherri takes us back to 1991, when she launched her firm after years working in franchise public relations, a path that would go on to shape how franchise brands tell their stories. Since then, she’s worked alongside emerging concepts and some of the most recognized franchise brands in the country, served in multiple leadership roles within the International Franchise Association, and, in 2023, was honored with the prestigious Bonnie Levine Award for her mentorship, leadership, and lasting impact on franchising. Throughout our conversation, she shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, risk, earned media, and why empathy has always been central to her approach.We also dig into how PR has evolved from traditional media pitching to a more integrated mix of earned media, content, social visibility, and local storytelling. Sherri explains why franchisees are often a brand’s strongest ambassadors, how local PR programs like grand openings and community engagement fuel both unit-level success and franchise development, and why leaders who treat PR as a short-term tactic often miss its real value.So whether you’re launching a franchise, supporting franchisees in local markets, or rethinking how your brand builds trust at scale, this episode offers real insight into how PR actually works inside franchising. Sherri breaks down what to prioritize, what to pace, and why treating PR as a long-term strategy, not a one-time push, creates more durable growth.Connect with SherriLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrifishman/Email - sfish@fishmanpr.comEpisode Highlights:Sherri Fishman’s path into franchising and entrepreneurshipWhy earned media still mattersHow PR has evolved in today’s digital landscapeThe role of franchisees in local brand visibilityWhy PR supports both unit growth and franchise developmentThe long-term value of PR for franchise brandsConnect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/ Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com
