Franchise Firsthand is the podcast that takes listeners deep into the real-world experiences of franchising and small business ownership. For anyone curious about what it's truly like to run a franchise, this is the place to be.
Hosted by Garth Fasano, alongside Connor Groce, the show features candid conversations with franchise owners and operators from a variety of industries. They share unfiltered, on-the-ground insights—what's working, what's challenging, and the untold truths of the business.
Whether you're considering your first franchise or managing multiple units and seeking fresh ideas, Franchise Firsthand delivers the ultimate playbook, one compelling story at a time.
Episode 2 | Garth Fasano and Connor Groce
In this episode of Franchise First Hand, Connor Groce puts Garth Fasano in the hot seat to unpack how franchisees can turn more leads into paying customers — without adding to their workload. Garth shares his journey from Deloitte and BCG consulting to acquiring Rainmaker, a tech-enabled sales solution that supports franchise growth across industries.
Together, they dive into why most franchisees struggle with consistent lead follow-up, how to maintain a local feel in a national brand, and why AI and data are transforming the way home service businesses sell.
Whether you’re an owner-operator trying to smooth out revenue peaks and valleys, or a multi-unit franchisee looking to scale, this episode reveals the systems, tools, and strategies that make sales simple — and growth inevitable. Listen in!
#franchise #businesspodcast #franchiseconsulting
9 Oct 2025
The Truth About Owning a Franchise
Episode 1 | Garth Fasano and Connor Groce
Welcome to the very first episode of Franchise Firsthand with hosts Garth Fasano and Connor Groce! In this debut episode, Garth sits down with Connor Groce to explore his journey from a college side hustle to owning multiple franchises and becoming a franchise consultant.
They dive into the highs, lows, and lessons learned, including scaling challenges, building synergy, and finding the right franchise fit. Whether you're new to franchising or a seasoned operator, this premiere episode is packed with insights, strategies, and real-world stories to inspire and guide your entrepreneurial journey.
Don’t miss it!
#franchisepodcast #businesspodcast #podcast
28 May 2025
Thriving Through Uncertainty in Small Business
Small businesses discover how to navigate uncertain times, stay agile, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
14 May 2025
Franchise Growth Hacks: Mastering Lead Flow, Sales, and Service
Discover expert insights on boosting lead flow, maximizing sales, and delivering top-tier service to scale your franchise successfully. Tune in for actionable strategies, real-world success stories, and proven tactics to drive sustainable growth.
30 Apr 2025
The Triple Option: Winning Strategies for Franchise Growth
Gain valuable insights into franchise growth with expert advice, real-world strategies, and industry best practices. This podcast explores key topics like scaling operations, marketing, leadership, and sustainable expansion. Whether you’re a franchisee or franchisor, you’ll find practical guidance to help you succeed in the competitive franchise world.
16 Apr 2025
State of the Union: Home Services Franchising Edition
The home services franchising industry is evolving—so where does it stand today? In this episode, we dive into market trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector. Whether you’re a franchise owner, investor, or entrepreneur, get key insights to navigate this dynamic space.
2 Apr 2025
Marketing Due Diligence for ETA & Search Entrepreneurs
A strong marketing strategy is key to a successful acquisition. In this episode, we explore how ETA and search entrepreneurs can evaluate brand positioning, customer acquisition, competitive landscape, and growth potentialduring due diligence. Learn key insights to assess risks and opportunities before making a deal.
19 Mar 2025
Sales Due Diligence for ETA & Search Entrepreneurs
Due diligence is key to a successful acquisition. In this episode, we dive into sales pipeline evaluation, revenue stability, customer retention, and growth potential to help ETA and search entrepreneurs make informed decisions. Learn the red flags, key metrics, and best practices to assess risk and maximize value.
19 Feb 2025
Social Media Marketing That Actually Works
Discover proven strategies to make your social media marketing effective and impactful. From content creation to engagement tactics, learn how to grow your audience, boost brand visibility, and drive real results. Tune in and start making your social media marketing work for you!
5 Feb 2025
Brand Power and Customer Service: The Keys to Thriving Beyond Paid Marketing
Break free from ad dependency! In this episode, we reveal how brand power and exceptional customer service drive lasting success. Learn to build loyalty, create raving fans, and grow your business beyond paid marketing.
23 Jan 2025
An Acquisition Entrepreneur's Journey: Buying a Merry Maids Franchise and Transforming Sales & Marketing
Follow the story of an entrepreneur transforming a Merry Maids franchise into a thriving business.
7 Jan 2025
Home Services Sales Tactics to Grow your Business
Home services expert Rachel Patterson shares actionable sales tactics to boost client relationships and business growth, empowering entrepreneurs to close more deals and achieve lasting success.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,546
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
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