.png)
Franchise Whispering
Franchise Whispering is the podcast from Franchise Marketing News that goes beyond the headlines to explore what’s really shaping growth in franchising today.
Hosted by FMN Board member Bob McKay, CEO of McKay Advertising and Activation, each episode features candid conversations with franchisors, franchise executives, marketers, operators, and industry insiders who are driving innovation across franchise marketing, development, and brand strategy. From scaling systems and supporting franchisees to navigating emerging technology, consumer behavior shifts, and industry change, Franchise Whispering delivers real insight from the people inside the business.
This is not surface-level commentary or recycled advice. It’s a thoughtful, experience-driven discussion designed for franchise leaders who want to understand not just what is happening in the industry, but why it matters and what to do next.
New voices. Real stories. Smarter franchise marketing.
Franchise Whispering
Latest Episodes
Franchise Whispering - "AI-Proofing the Next Generation": Compressing the Franchise Sales Cycle w/ Christina Parsons
Did you know the average franchise sales cycle has dramatically shrunk from over 100 days to just 58 days?In this episode of the Franchise Whispering Podcast, host Bob McKay sits down with Christina Parsons, Chief Intelligence Off...
Franchise Whispering - "Motion Without Results": Turning Marketing into a Growth Engine w/ Felicia Reeves
How do you turn marketing from an "arts and crafts" department into a measurable, revenue-driving growth engine?In this episode of the Franchise Whispering podcast, host Bob McKay sits down with Felicia Reeves, a seas...
"Preparation and Personalization": The Next Generation of Franchise Marketing with Sydney Kleinsasser
What happens when you grow up with franchising in your DNA? In this episode of the Franchise Whispering Podcast, host Bob McKay sits down with Sydney Kleinsasser, a self-proclaimed "franchise nepo baby" who has channeled her...
Franchise Whispering - "The People Own the Brand": Scaling Big Dave's Cheesesteaks from a Gas Station to a National Franchise with Derrick Hayes
From hustling out of a small gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, to serving up the most iconic food item in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Derrick Hayes is changing the culture of the franchise industry. Derrick founded Big Dave's Cheesesteaks to honor h...
Franchise Whispering - "Blow Their Minds": Maintaining Cult Status & Overcoming the Growth Plateau with Brandon Rhoten
How do you take a brand with cult-like status and scale it to 400 locations without losing its edge? On this episode, host Bob McKay sits down with Brandon Rhoten, the marketing mind behind Wendy's viral Twitter roasts and the current CMO fueli...
