2 Stores to 118 in 14 Months: Scaling Boring Businesses - Alex Smereczniak I DSH #1523

Why do 80% of franchises succeed and startups fail? 🤔 In this power-packed episode of Digital Social Hour with Sean Kelly, we uncover the truth about franchising and why it’s one of the smartest ways to build wealth. 🚀 Sean sits down with Alex from Franzy, the “Zillow for franchise buying,” to break down how everyday people are turning boring but profitable businesses into million-dollar empires. You’ll learn how franchising offers a proven path to entrepreneurship with less risk and more reward. 💼💰 What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🏗️ How Alex scaled from 2 laundromats to 118 franchise units in just 14 months 💸 Why brokers take 60% commissions—and how to avoid getting ripped off 📊 Why franchises succeed 80% of the time (vs. 50% failure rate for independents) 🍔 The inside stories behind Crumbl, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Pop-Up Bagels 💰 How one McDonald’s owner makes $80M+ a year from 100 locations ⏳ Why AI could wipe out 50% of white-collar jobs by 2027—and how franchises hedge that risk 🏠 Why “boring” home service franchises (cleaning, turf, window washing) print money 💵 And yes—you’ll even learn how YOU can get $5,000 toward your first franchise. 🔥 This is franchising made simple, transparent, and profitable. If you’ve ever thought about buying a business but didn’t know where to start—this episode is your blueprint. #franchise #buyingafranchise #riskmanagementtrading #moneymanagement #franchisingbenefits APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: jenna@digitalsocialhour.com SUBSCRIBE NOW: @DigitalSocialHour GUEST: Alex Smereczniak https://www.instagram.com/alexfromfranzy/ FOLLOW: Sean Mike Kelly https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly https://tiktok.com/@seanmikekelly https://x.com/seankelly25 CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - What is Franzy 04:17 - Why Franchising is Successful 06:13 - The Next Big Franchise: Crumbl Cookies 07:28 - TheraOne: Innovative Wellness Brand 09:14 - Magic Mind: Productivity Drink 10:02 - Fast Food Favorites: Your Go-To Spots 11:17 - How to Make $5,000 Quickly 15:52 - Industries to Watch for Franchising 18:10 - Current Franchise Ownership Insights 22:57 - Challenges of Acquiring Major Franchises 23:46 - Chick-fil-A’s Impressive Revenue Numbers 27:16 - Exploring Drink Franchise Opportunities 31:07 - Please Follow The Show SPONSORS: THERASAGE: https://therasage.com/ LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. While we encourage open and honest conversations, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and consult professionals for advice where appropriate. Content on this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. We have done our best to present the facts as we see them, however, we make no guarantees or promises regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. In addition, the views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the producers of this program.