Living Entrepreneurship Blog / Babson Entrepreneurs

Third Time’s the Charm! The Inside Scoop on Franchising

New date for our franchising panel, due to the upcoming snowstorm! Our panel discussion is now on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30pm in Olin 120 (hopefully no snow this time!).

Franchising generates trillions of dollars of annual economic output. Franchises employ millions of people. But what is franchising all about, and is it for you?

Join us for a panel on the pros and cons, the ups and downs, and the opportunities and challenges that come with franchising.

Listen to panelists (and alums) from all corners of the franchising industry discuss their experiences and offer their opinions and insights. The panel will include franchisors, franchisees, and advisors.

Hear what insiders have to say about questions like:

  1. Is franchising worth it?
  2. If you could do it all again, would you?
  3. If you could change one thing in franchising, what is it?
  4. Who should buy a franchise?
  5. Who should become a franchisor?

Bring your questions, enthusiasm, assumptions, and skepticism. We look forward to digging in, and starting a conversation. There’s trillions and millions of value to create. Come see if it might be a path for you.

About our Speakers:
Alex DiPietro ’09

Alex is a Dunkin Donuts Franchisee in MA, CT, and FL. He received his degree in Entrepreneurship from Babson in 2009, where he also played hockey. Prior to his career in franchising, Alex worked for a Silicon Valley tech company, selling Network Infrastructure. In 2012, he joined his wife’s family to help grow their 40+ year old business, Dunkin Donuts. Since that point, the family’s network of stores has grown from 50 stores in 2 states, to 120+ in 3 states, with continued development. The business has also since expanded into the development of retail centers, residential real estate and property management. When he is not “making the donuts”, you can find him enjoying the company of his wife, Lindsey, and son, Dylan, or on the golf course (when weather permits).

Elizabeth Roberts ‘06
Born in Vermont, Elizabeth has been living with her family in Massachusetts since 2008. Elizabeth has a strong athletic background, having played sports her entire life, and her passion for health and wellness has only grown since childhood. Elizabeth studied entrepreneurship and finance at Babson college, and played softball, rugby and ice hockey throughout college. For several years after college she pursued a career in finance, but her ultimate goal was to run her own business. After the birth of her two children, she took her first Pure Barre class. She soon realized the impact Pure Barre could have on strengthening one’s body and overall wellness when she saw her body change post-childbirth, and she knew she wanted to bring Pure Barre to the community. She opened her first Pure Barre in 2015 while pregnant for her third child and ‘tucked’ all the way through! She opened her second location a year later in 2016. She has since grown with the purchase of two more locations in 2017 and opened a fifth location in 2018. Elizabeth and her husband, Frank, live in Easthampton with their three children, dog and cat.

Steven Rosenkrantz ‘81
Steven Rosencrantz is an eSource Franchise Coach. The Entrepreneur’s Source® is the world’s largest and #1 franchise coaching organization dedicated to empowering potential entrepreneurs to achieve their personal and professional goals through self-employment. The Entrepreneur’s Source® is recognized as the industry leader in franchise education, coaching and knowledge of opportunities through the country. Steven is an owner of Serv-U Stores, Inc. a Family Retail Chain of stores in W.MASS & N.CONN. Serv-U consisted of True Value Home Centers, Auto Supply Stores, Wallpaper Decorating Centers, Baby Furniture, and Locksmiths. As Operations Manager, Stephen was involved in marketing, buying, personnel and sales. Stephen acquired vast “people skills” at Serv-U, and is excited to use his knowledge and business ownership/management experience to help other people pursue their self-employment dreams. Stephen resides in Longmeadow, MA and has an office in Enfield, CT. Stephen loves people, and feels that he is doing “what I was born to do!!” Stephen has been an Esource Franchise Coach for 15 years, assisting hundreds of individuals with our Free Franchise Education and Discovery Program. Stephen is a 1981 graduate from Babson’s undergraduate program.

Jeff Wechsler MBA ‘04 (moderator)
Jeff is a former franchise executive and business broker. He has 20+ years of experience in building and growing businesses and organizations.

In his 10 years as franchise executive, Jeff helped grow a franchise organization to $100+ Million in systemwide revenues and to 200+ units across North America. In his time as a business broker and as an independent consultant, Jeff has brokered the sale and purchase of several small businesses, and helped match franchisors and franchisees.

Jeff currently consults with select businesses, and is a partner in a venture that’s employing many franchising principles to build a new Good Food supply chain.

Jeff is a 2004 graduate from Babson’s MBA program.

See you on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30pm in Olin 120!