Franchising Forward

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence Celebrates 100^th Episode of FranchiseU! Podcast

What started as a creative way for Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence Director Kathy Gosser to engage her students during the pandemic has transformed into an essential resource for franchise professionals and business enthusiasts alike. The Center’s podcast, “FranchiseU!,” has officially hit a significant milestone, having produced 100 episodes, and continues to feature guests from various industries and backgrounds who share one thing in common: a passion for franchising. From uncovering hidden success stories to tackling industry challenges head-on, Gosser shared with us what she’s learned, the guests who left a lasting impact and how the podcast continues to evolve in ways she never expected.

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College of Business: How did the concept for the “FranchiseU!” podcast originate?

Kathy Gosser: During COVID, I experimented with a basic (primitive) podcast for an online course when I noticed students weren’t engaging with video lectures. The response was overwhelmingly positive, which inspired me to launch “FranchiseU!” when we established the Center. The podcast serves as an educational tool for a broader audience while also enriching my courses. Meeting students where they are is key, and podcasts provide accessible and impactful learning experiences. 

College of Business: Why did you believe this podcast would be beneficial to listeners?

Kathy Gosser: Franchising is full of incredible stories, and I wanted to highlight the experiences of franchisees, franchisors and industry suppliers. By sharing these insights, we help listeners better understand the opportunities and challenges within franchising. Additionally, with evolving regulations and complexities, bringing in experts to break things down is essential. At its core, the podcast exists to educate and inspire.

College of Business: What were the goals you were hoping the podcast would accomplish?

Kathy Gosser: Beyond educating and inspiring, a major goal was to create dynamic course content. Since franchising is constantly evolving, textbooks quickly become outdated. The podcast allows me to bring real-world insights directly into the classroom, and I even select guests specifically to fill content gaps for my students.

College of Business: What challenges have you faced with developing and producing “FranchiseU,” and how have you and your team worked to overcome those challenges?

Kathy Gosser: This podcast wouldn’t be possible without our producer, Troy Price, who ensures we have the right technology and production setup. He introduced us to Riverside, which has enhanced our recording quality significantly. While researching guests and preparing podcast guides is time-intensive, it’s also a valuable learning process for me. Interestingly, the biggest challenge has not been finding guests—I receive about five requests per week to be on the show!

College of Business: What experiences with creating and hosting “FranchiseU!” have impacted you most, and why?

Kathy Gosser: Getting to learn from franchise leaders and apply those insights to my classroom has been invaluable. Through the podcast, I’ve stayed ahead of industry advancements, including how AI is transforming franchising and the legal complexities shaping the business. Beyond the learning aspect, the podcast is also incredibly inspiring. I always ask guests what they are most proud of and what they wish they had known about franchising before starting their careers. Hearing their reflections is a highlight for me—and I love when they mention wishing they had learned about franchising in college!

College of Business: In what ways have you seen the podcast evolve over the past 100 episodes, and what was most surprising about that evolution?

Kathy Gosser: I’d like to think I’ve become more comfortable behind the mic and better at helping guests feel at ease. One surprising evolution is how much I now strategically select topics that fill gaps in my classroom curriculum. The biggest surprise? The overwhelming demand from people wanting to be on the podcast—I initially thought I’d run out of guests after my close contacts, but I’m nowhere near that!

College of Business: Of the 100 episodes you have recorded, which episode stands out most to you and why?

Kathy Gosser: Now you are asking me to choose my favorite child…the one with Shawn Brady, a 50+ year veteran of the first KFC franchise was pretty special. Shawn told the history of KFC and his love for the brand is apparent with each response. I was also touched by the story of Brave Williams – she has signed 23 franchise agreements for Anytime Fitness and is a singer and dancer – said opening her first franchise was harder than being a dancer for Beyonce! My students love this one.

College of Business: What does reaching your 100^th podcast mean to you and your staff?

Kathy Gosser: The stats on podcast longevity are staggering—only 4.8% of podcasts make it to 100 episodes. Hitting this milestone means we’ve persevered, and I couldn’t be prouder of our small but mighty team, Annie Nell and Troy. This is truly a passion project, and for me, it’s also a return to my journalism roots—interviewing fascinating people and sharing their stories. We’re just getting started!

College of Business: What events and/or projects are on the horizon for “FranchiseU!” and for the Yum! CGFE?

Kathy Gosser: “FranchiseU!” will continue evolving with new themes, including a focus on family businesses in franchising. I’ve recently recorded episodes with Isa Botero, who is now co-hosting some episodes focused on generational franchisees. On the CGFE side, Yum! Brands just announced a $1 million endowment for scholarships in franchising. This initiative will change lives, and we’re excited to roll out the details. We also welcomed our first intern, Jordan Moore, who is making a huge impact—she’s leading our Instagram efforts and even convinced me to join a dance trend (yes, we did the Boogie on Down!).

College of Business: How can readers learn about and access your podcast episodes?

Kathy Gosser: We are on all podcast providers – Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, etc. We are also on the College of Business website at https://business.louisville.edu/learnmore/franchiseu/

College of Business: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Kathy Gosser: Franchising continues to outpace national economic growth, and according to the IFA’s latest report, by 2025, 9+ million jobs will be in franchising and 851,000 franchised units will operate in the US. Franchising is a proven model for generational wealth spanning countless industries—not just food! If you can think of a business, there’s probably a franchise for it. We’re proud to be the only university offering a Franchise Management certificate at three levels: Graduate (MBA stackable), undergraduate (degree stackable) and professional (IFA partnership). Our goal is to continue educating future franchise leaders and producing research that drives industry impact—thanks to our brilliant Denise Cumberland leading the charge.

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