In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with franchise attorney Ari Stern, partner of Fox Rothschild LLP, for a deep, practical conversation at the intersection of franchising, dispute resolution and franchise AI. As the first lawyer to appear on the show, Ari shares how he unexpectedly found his niche in franchise law and why proactive legal strategy matters more than ever as brands adopt new technologies.

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger welcomes back Adam Contos for his second appearance on Behind the Franchise. Former CEO of RE/MAX and current partner at Area 15 Ventures, Adam brings a seasoned perspective on private equity, leadership, and what it really takes to scale franchise brands without losing the soul of the business.

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger welcomes Brian Britton, CEO of Kilwins Chocolates Franchise, Inc., for a fascinating conversation about leadership, retail theater, and building an iconic American confectionery brand.

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Del Salinas, VP of Franchise Development at Caring Senior Service. Del shares how a 34-year-old brand has grown intentionally and why culture, systems, and people-first leadership have fueled long-term success.

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Alex Gilleland, Brand Manager at Dryer Vent Superheroes. Alex shares how growing up in franchising shaped his data-driven mindset and why ROI-first thinking, localization, and trust-building content outperform flashy campaigns every time.

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings, to unpack a career that spans aerospace engineering, big-box retail, Hollywood Video, TGI Fridays, and now an eight-brand restaurant portfolio with more than 300 locations. Sherif shares how cross-brand insights, consumer occasion mapping, and franchisee passion shape BRIX’s growth playbook — and why understanding the ‘bones of a brand’ matters more today than ever.