In this podcast, we delve into the three most critical requirements to be a successful franchisee. Do you have what it takes? Let's find out!
Explore our COMMAND Program and learn what this Multi-Unit Ownership Certification can do for you and your franchise business.
128. The 5 Phases of the Franchisee Journey
05/2/2026 | 13 min
In this podcast, we discuss the five phases of being a franchisee, what each involves, and how to speed up progress from one phase to the next to reach the ultimate goal of time and financial freedom.
Explore our COMMAND Program and learn what this Multi-Uni Ownership Certification can do for you and your franchise business.
127. 4 Key Staffing Skills of a Unit Manager
28/1/2026 | 8 min
Unit Managers require the ability to staff effectively to be successful. This implies not only finding, but also retaining amazing team members in the organization. In this episode, I share four specific things these leaders need to learn to hire amazing team members.
Learn about our Franchise Unit Management Training and discover how we can help you elevate their skills and knowledge to a new level.
126. The Leadership Skills of a Unit Manager
22/1/2026 | 10 min
Unit Managers require specific skills to transform your franchise brand into a profitable business, and you have to teach them these skills. One key skill is leadership, which serves as the foundation for successful unit management. Identify the areas in which you need to train them to ensure their success.
Learn about our Unit Management Training and discover how we can help you elevate their skills and knowledge to a new level.
125. 6 Types of District Managers
23/12/2025 | 12 min
We break down the 6 types of District Managers, why some consistently drive results while others struggle, and what separates high-performing leaders from reactive supervisors. If your role is to drive consistency, empower unit leaders, and elevate performance across multiple locations, this is for you.
Want to Become a High-Impact District Manager? Explore the LEAD Program on https://leadafa.com/
The American Franchise Academy Podcast is a professional education series for franchise owners, multi-unit franchisees, and franchise leaders who want to build profitable, scalable, and well-run franchise businesses.
This podcast focuses on the real challenges of franchise management and growth — including leadership, staffing, systems, profitability, and reducing owner dependency.
Each episode provides:
Practical franchise management and leadership frameworks
Clear diagnosis of common franchise business problems
Guidance for building strong unit managers and district leaders
Insight into scaling from single units to multi-unit and enterprise ownership
Topics covered include:
Franchise unit management fundamentals
Multi-unit leadership and district manager development
Staffing, training, and people management
Franchise profitability and cost control
Systems, structure, and operational discipline
This podcast is designed for franchisees who want to:
Run their businesses more effectively
Build capable management teams
Grow without burnout
Create long-term enterprise value
Whether you operate one location or multiple units, the American Franchise Academy Podcast delivers practical franchise education grounded in real-world experience — not theory, trends, or hype.
------------
Aicha is the Founder & CEO of the American Franchise Academy (AFA), coach, speaker, and best-selling Author of "The Franchise Fix" and "Multi-Unit Franchise Mastery". You can purchase her books at the AFA store.
The AFA is the elite education source in the franchise industry. If you are looking for more information on how to become a Successful Franchisee or Franchise Leader visit us at www.AmericanFranchiseAcademy.com