Around the Horn: Franchising, Influencers, and VR Adventures

In this special episode, we’re kicking off Sidekick Around the Horn, where we dive into some of the hottest topics in franchising and business. Inspired by the classic ESPN format (minus the scoring and sports knowledge), we bring a fresh and lively debate to your favorite franchise subjects.

Here’s what we tackled:

• Big Acquisitions in Franchising – Is selling to private equity good for franchisees? We explore the implications of Brothers That Just Do Gutters’ reported $61M sale and what it means for the future of franchising.
• Influencers in Franchising – Celebrities and business influencers are jumping into the franchise world. From Shaq to Codie Sanchez, we debate whether their involvement helps or hurts brands and franchisees.
• McDonald's Goes Vegan – Will the new vegan franchise concept, "Mr. Charlie's," be a hit or a miss? We break down the branding, market potential, and challenges of McDonald's latest venture.
• Virtual Reality Franchises – With concepts like Sandbox VR boasting huge profits, is VR the future of franchising or just a passing trend? We share our takes on this cutting-edge business model.

Join us for spirited debates, bold opinions, and a dash of humor as we tackle the big questions shaping the franchise industry.

Don’t Miss a Beat!
Subscribe to The Sidekick Life on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation. Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Drop us a message or follow us on social media to stay in the loop with exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes content. Let’s talk franchising—together!