In this episode of On-Brand, Slightly Off-Topic, Ammon and Matt McNeff, founders and owners of Bricks & Minifigs, join the conversation to share their entrepreneurial journey and the story behind their rapidly growing franchise brand. The brothers opened their first location in Orem, Utah, in 2017, turning a shared passion for LEGO® into a thriving, family-centered business. What began as a single store quickly gained traction, leading them to become top-performing franchisees before ultimately acquiring the Bricks & Minifigs brand itself.Since taking ownership, Ammon and Matt have played a key role in scaling the company into one of the largest specialty LEGO® resale franchise systems in the world, with dozens of locations across the United States and internationally. Their approach blends creativity, community engagement, and a strong emphasis on customer experience, helping transform a niche hobby into a widely recognized retail concept. Throughout the conversation, Ammon and Matt discuss the realities of franchising, lessons learned from transitioning from franchisees to franchisors, leadership within a family business, and how they’ve built a brand that resonates with both kids and adult LEGO® enthusiasts alike. The episode offers practical insight for franchise leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building a brand rooted in operational discipline and promoting creativity.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Alex Berkovsky, Founder and CEO of Kids United, shares the personal and professional journey that led him from technology and global telecom into the world of youth sports franchising. After years in IT, Alex found himself searching for more meaningful work and discovered the power of community, systems, and culture through his experience as an Orange Theory franchisee. That foundation ultimately inspired him to build Kids United, a youth soccer franchise designed to help children develop confidence, character, and life skills through the game of soccer.Alex also explores what makes Kids United different from traditional youth sports programs, from its year-round indoor model and extensive curriculum to its focus on consistency, safety, and child development. He discusses the challenges of launching and scaling the brand, including navigating COVID, refining the business model, and shifting from two-field facilities to a more scalable one-field format. Throughout the conversation, Alex emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven leadership, passionate franchise partners, strong culture, and building a business that creates impact beyond revenue. The episode offers practical insight for franchise leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building a brand rooted in both operational discipline and meaningful purpose.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Tim Weiderhoft, CEO of Exponential Fitness, shares his journey into franchising and the leadership philosophy that has shaped his career. Influenced by strong mentorship and early experiences in customer-focused roles, Tim emphasizes a people-first approach rooted in empathy, continuous improvement, and service. He highlights the impact of mentorship, the importance of listening, and the responsibility leaders carry in developing both individuals and organizations.Tim also explores what drives successful franchise growth, stressing the importance of strong consumer demand, data-driven decisions, and selecting the right franchise partners. He underscores respect as a non-negotiable company culture foundation and advocates for strategic expansion over rapid, scattered growth. The episode offers practical insights on balancing franchisee autonomy with brand standards, building trust through transparency, and creating scalable systems that support long-term, sustainable growth.

In this episode, Rebekah Irvine shares her background and what led her into franchising, including the key experiences that shaped her approach to leadership and growth. She breaks down what she’s seeing in the market right now—what’s working, what’s changing, and where emerging operators should focus to build momentum. Rebekah also offers practical takeaways on building the right support systems, avoiding common scaling mistakes, and staying grounded in values while pushing growth. The conversation wraps with actionable advice for founders and franchise teams looking to tighten execution, strengthen relationships, and create long-term impact

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Jonathan Hill sits down with Wil Bangerter, Founder & CEO of Back Nine Golf, an entrepreneur who walked away from a career in law to pursue a vision that simply wouldn’t let him go. Wil opens up about the leap from attorney to founder, the steep learning curve of building a golf brand from scratch, and the realities of chasing a dream when nothing is guaranteed.He shares the personal story behind the name “Back Nine Golf,” inspired by his own experience on the course and the belief that everyone deserves a back nine worth fighting for. This conversation dives into purpose-driven risk taking, the emotional grind of entrepreneurship, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who keep you grounded. Wil’s journey is a candid playbook for founders navigating uncertainty—and a reminder that the best brands are built with equal parts passion, grit, and a good story. A must-listen for operators, franchise leaders, and anyone standing on the tee box of their next big decision.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Clement Troutman shares his journey through leadership, development, and operational growth in franchising. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, he discusses the importance of building systems that scale, emphasizing how training, consistency, and accountability help franchise teams thrive. Clement highlights the power of authentic leadership, the role of communication in franchise support, and the importance of empowering franchisees to take ownership of their success.From developing people to refining processes, Clement offers practical insights into how culture drives performance and how successful franchisors balance brand standards with local flexibility. The episode delivers actionable takeaways for franchise founders, operators, and emerging brands focused on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and long-term partnership.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Jonathan Hill sits down with CJ McPhail, Co-Founder & CEO of Outsider Coffee in Pendleton, South Carolina. CJ and his wife, Lindsey, have built a coffee brand that pairs great caffeine with a clear mission—championing kindness, authenticity, and real human connection. Drawing on his background as an ordained pastor, speaker, and autism advocate, CJ shares the personal experiences that shaped Outsider’s “people first” ethos and the practical ways it shows up in hiring, customer experience, and community partnerships.The conversation explores servant leadership, empathy in action, and how small gestures can catalyze big transformation. CJ’s story is a field guide for building a company that is profitable and purposeful, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. A must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders building values-driven brands. KeywordsCJ McPhail, Lindsey McPhail, Outsider Coffee, Jonathan Hill, On Brand Slightly Off Topic, Pendleton South Carolina, coffee business, mission-driven business, community building, autism advocacy, small business, local business, brand storytelling, culture building, conscious capitalism, retail coffee, third place culture, entrepreneurship, business growth

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Carey Gille, Co-Founder and CEO of Franchise FastLane, the #1 franchise sales organization in the country. Carey shares her incredible journey as a serial entrepreneur, from building and selling multiple startups—including ItsDeductible, later acquired by Intuit—to leading the charge in franchising with FastLane. She opens up about the challenges and lessons of building businesses, her unique perspective as both a franchisor and franchisee, and what it takes to “responsibly drive extraordinary growth” in today’s franchise landscape. Carey also discusses the impact of private equity on FastLane, her favorite insights from mentors and books, and the personal “why” that motivates her every day. Packed with wisdom, inspiration, and stories from the front lines of entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in franchising, business ownership, or scaling a brand with purpose. KeywordsCarey Gille, Franchise FastLane, franchising, franchise development, franchise sales, franchise growth, entrepreneurship, serial entrepreneur, startup, small business, franchisor, franchisee, franchise opportunities, franchise ownership, business ownership, franchising trends, private equity, scaling a business, business strategy, sales growth, franchise success, franchise brands, franchise consulting, franchise sales organization, franchising advice, business lessons, franchising insights, franchising inspiration, leadership, women in franchising, women entrepreneurs, franchising podcast, franchising stories

SummaryIn this episode, we sit down with Bron Launsby, Founder & CEO of Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor, waterless slide park. Bron shares his journey from being one of the largest franchisees in the Sky Zone trampoline system to launching a brand-new concept that’s redefining family entertainment. We talk about the inspiration behind Slick City, what it takes to scale a passion project into one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country, and how Bron and his team are breaking down barriers in the entertainment space. Bron also gives an inside look at the rapid growth of Slick City—expanding to more than 60 locations in just a few short years—and the challenges and opportunities that come with building a high-thrill, high-design brand from the ground up. Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, franchising, or the future of entertainment, this conversation is packed with insights, energy, and inspiration. KeywordsBron Launsby, Slick City, Slick City Action Park, waterless slide park, indoor entertainment, family entertainment, franchising, franchise growth, franchise development, fast-growing franchises, entrepreneurship, startup journey, Sky Zone, trampoline park, recreation industry, high-thrill attractions, innovation in entertainment, breaking barriers in franchising, passion to franchise, scaling a business, business growth, franchise opportunities, multi-unit ownership, emerging brands, franchisor, indoor attractions, action park franchise, franchising success stories, building a franchise system, family fun, sports and recreation, indoor slide park, growth strategies, franchise leadership, national expansion

SummaryIn this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Dana Edwards Manatos, Founder & CEO of Milkshake Factory, to dive into the incredible 110-year legacy of her family business and how she’s transformed it into a modern-day franchise success story. Dana shares the inspiring journey from her great-grandparents’ corner candy shop in Pittsburgh to the national expansion of Milkshake Factory today. She opens up about growing up in the chocolate factory, the lessons learned along the way, and how family recipes continue to power the brand’s identity. The conversation covers everything from Milkshake Factory’s cult-like following to its big break with Costco, the challenges of scaling a hospitality-driven brand, and how franchising is shaping its next chapter. Dana also talks about her personal “why,” the importance of community, and her vision for building generational legacy through chocolate, ice cream, and unforgettable experiences. KeywordsMilkshake Factory, Dana Edwards Manatos, franchising, family business, chocolate, ice cream, legacy brand, Pittsburgh, franchise growth, Costco, hospitality, community, entrepreneurship, generational wealth, franchising success, QSR, brand expansion, dessert franchise, franchising stories, food and beverage, retail growth, women in franchising, family legacy, scaling a brand, franchise ownership, customer experience, franchise development, innovation, retail franchising, family recipes, community-driven brand