From running movies out of the back of his family’s warehouse at age 12 to becoming the largest Marco’s Pizza franchisee in America, McLain Hoogland understands the long game – and the pivot. With a lineage stretching back to the birth of family video rental and a career forged by service in the Marine Corps, McLain doesn’t just lead a multigenerational business, he’s reinvented it more than once.

In this episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we explore

(06:11) Growing up in a family business

(08:26) The drive behind pizza chain growth

(11:34) Streamlining operations for control

(13:08) Why efficiency depends on geography

(16:53) Franchise growth vs real estate

(19:55) Veterans’ skills beyond stereotypes

(22:35) Turning customer experience into profit

(26:27) What makes a franchise restaurant succeed

(29:27) Marketing challenges for franchise owners

(33:17) How food delivery keeps evolving

(38:02) What to look for in a franchise system

(41:00) Leadership that goes beyond business books

(42:42) Finding balance to avoid burnout

(45:56) Diversifying into healthcare and real estate

On Why Veterans Thrive in Franchising

McLain: “You’ve learned some pretty high-level things in very stressful situations. You’ve learned how to train people, how to follow SOPs. That’s a restaurant. There’s a rule set in franchising: it isn’t a free-for-all all.”

On Building for Growth (Not Just Survival)

McLain: “The first year is dialing in your operations and growing your customer base. You have to hire for the sales you want, not just the budget you think you have.”

On Knowing When NOT to Get Into Food

McLain: “If your first venture into franchising and you have no food experience, I would say, do not go into food. It’s easy to lose money, hard to make money – it’s a very competitive space.”

On The Power of Brand and Culture

McLain: “If you’re joining a franchise system, you’re buying all of it, not just the food. Do your homework. Dig deep into the support and leadership.”

After decades operating six different food brands including Dunkin’ and Jersey Mike’s, Mitch took a leap that changed everything: salon studios. Why? Because great franchises evolve, and Mitch believes in building businesses where people don't shy away from change.

His philosophy? Treat every person, from employees to beauty professionals, with respect and genuine care, and success will follow.

In this episode, Mitch gives his insights on:

(03:09) Helping beauty pros become independent

(09:15) What to check before buying a franchise

(11:36) Inside the salon studio business model

(14:29) Why trust and stability drive success

(17:46) How great franchise support really works

(20:25) The collaborative side of franchising

(24:59) How philanthropy powers business growth

(28:34) Smart ways to give back to your community

(32:36) How empowered teams boost performance

(34:50) The role of mentorship in career growth

(38:07) How to scale with a multi-unit strategy

(41:39) The real keys to business expansion

(45:51) Rethinking franchise agreements and innovation

(48:49) Why simplicity wins in business

(50:45) Building strong teams for long-term growth

On Making Franchise Relationships Work

Mitch: “Franchising is a relationship. You’re entering a contract that’s going to be there longer than most marriages last in the U.S. You need to do your due diligence and talk to other franchisees… The conversation starts on day one, and you foster that throughout the whole time.”

On Why People Are the Secret Ingredient

Mitch: “No matter what I do, we believe we’re in the people business. Our team, our customers, our stylists, if you put people first and treat everyone the way you’d want to be treated, they’ll stay forever. There’s no reason for them to leave.”

On Making Big Business Leaps

Mitch: “You have to be ready to step out of your comfort zone. Do your research, make sure the new brand has the tools you need, and be prepared for a whole new set of learnings and people. Trust your organization, but know when it’s time to cut the cord and build something new.”

Before Carl Stoffers was Entrepreneur Magazine’s Senior Business Editor, he was logging twelve-hour shifts in a maximum security prison in the sweltering Arizona desert. But even surrounded by concrete walls and lockstep routines, Carl never let go of his love for words – reading under a flashlight in secret as a kid and nurturing an “impossible dream” to become a journalist.

In this episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we explore

(03:04) Chasing dreams and taking bold risks

(06:09) Why home service franchises stay strong in recessions

(10:38) Best starter franchises for hands-on owners

(14:49) Keeping it simple with rising beverage trends

(17:22) How tech enhances the customer experience

(20:27) Why embracing change fuels franchise growth

(23:05) The story behind a thrift franchise's success

(25:17) The emotional origins of BrightStar Care

(28:21) What Gen Z and millennials value in franchising

(34:00) Why interviews demand real discretion

(36:21) Exciting franchise updates and an inspiring story

(38:24) Humans helping humans thrive

On Getting Into Franchising “When It Never Feels Like the Right Time”

Carl: You find yourself working 12 hours a day in a maximum security prison out in the middle of the desert, it can cause you to do a little bit of thinking…you know that’s not where you want to spend the rest of your professional life. I feel a definite bond with franchisees who left safe careers to dive into something totally new.

On the Power of the “Unsexy” Brand

Carl: There are all sorts of non-glamorous areas you can get into with franchising and really carve out a good name for yourself. The successful people I meet – whether it’s pest control, roofing, or thrift stores – are changing the industry by showing what’s possible for anyone with grit and the right support.

On Why the Human Story Still Wins

Carl: What I look for is, number one, a business relevance…and then, is the backstory compelling? Is it going to grab our readers? Franchising attracts unique personalities. The ones willing to solve problems, take risks, and overcome setbacks.