Franchising Explained: Costs, Earnings & Growth

We sit down with franchise consultant Dr. Tom DuFore to get honest about what franchising really is and why it is not a set-it-and-forget-it income stream. We break down how to tell if a business can franchise, what fees and royalties actually look like, and what makes franchise systems succeed or fall apart over time.
• franchising as a growth and distribution method rather than a business type
• why “passive income” still requires training, support, and real operational work
• three franchisability checkpoints: profitable prototype, teachable operations, national demand
• how master franchising can make international expansion easier to manage
• typical royalty rates, franchise fees, and how sales get tracked with modern tech
• protecting the brand through manuals, standards, and ongoing coaching
• common franchisor and franchisee mistakes including unrealistic expectations
• exit paths for franchisees including selling the unit, renewals, and early termination risks
• why the best franchisors stay franchisee-first and what changes under investor ownership
• where franchise leads come from: internet marketing, referrals, and franchise brokers

If you want to hear more shows about entrepreneurs, business owners, and people building careers in all kinds of industries,  check out our business and entrepreneurship category →

Connect with Dr. Tom  Dufour:

Website: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdufore/

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.