Franchise Leader Interviews
As the President and CEO of MassageLuXe, Kristen Pechacek has built a reputation as one of the franchise industry’s most forward-thinking leaders. With roots in digital marketing and a proven record of scaling brands through both strategy and empathy, she’s redefining what leadership looks like in the wellness space. Under her guidance, MassageLuXe continues to grow rapidly — not just in numbers, but in culture, innovation, and purpose. Franchise Marketing News sat down with Kristen to discuss how her digital foundation fuels her leadership today, what it means to lead with both data and heart, and how she’s shaping the next era of franchise growth.
David Betland has built a reputation for performance-driven marketing in a world that is anything but static. From his early days as an analyst to his current role as Vice President of Marketing at Rubio’s Restaurants, Betland has helped grow and modernize brands across nearly every segment of the restaurant franchise landscape, including Papa Murphy’s, Famous Dave’s, and Village Inn. With a sharp eye for data, a deep respect for brand integrity, and a no-nonsense approach to digital, his insights are a masterclass in balancing tactics with truth.
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Ashley Mitchell has made a name for herself as the marketing mind behind some of franchising’s most distinct and fast-moving brands. As a fractional CMO and advisor, she supports concepts ranging from QSR and youth enrichment to home services and consulting, including East Coast Wings + Grill, Sammy’s Sliders, and ZorAbility. Whether guiding an emerging brand through its first franchise sale or refining systems for a legacy player, Mitchell is known for bringing clarity, precision, and heart to the table.
Jeffery Smith has spent his career helping brands find their footing, whether that means scaling growth chains, supporting new franchise models, or turning around legacy systems in need of revitalization. As the current Chief Operating Officer of Peterbrooke Chocolatier and an active leader within Retail Confectioners International, Smith brings a people-first approach and a deep respect for tradition into every marketing conversation.
Franchise marketing veteran Bob McKay shares how his “Activation Bridge” framework is helping brands turn guesswork into growth. From building trust through transparent reporting to making media dollars work harder at the local level, this interview is packed with insights for anyone serious about franchise performance.
In this exclusive interview, seasoned marketing leader Ira Klusendorf shares how empowering franchisees with the right tools—and the right mindset—can turn them into brand advocates. From championing local storytelling to rethinking what counts as “high quality” content, Klusendorf breaks down how modern franchise marketing can succeed without million-dollar budgets. A must-read for franchisors and franchisees alike.
In this exclusive interview, College H.U.N.K.S. Co-Founder Nick Friedman shares how bold branding, guerrilla marketing, and a deep sense of purpose turned a scrappy moving company into a nationally recognized franchise. From embracing a name others warned against to donating millions of meals, Friedman offers candid insights on what it takes to build a movement—not just a business. A must-read for franchise marketers and aspiring founders.
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