Before founding the global home health care franchise Home Instead, Paul Hogan, ’85, first started a franchise club at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln after a franchising course inspired him. Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management and director of business development for the Center for Entrepreneurship, ’01 & ’03, joined the College of Business to relaunch Nebraska Franchise Club and teach a fall franchising course with help from Hogan and other successful franchise owners in the spring.

“Franchising is often misunderstood, which prevents people from pursuing it. Franchisors offer the chance to buy into a business under an already established business model and trademark,” Thomsen said. “Most people think of fast food when they hear franchise, but there are many other industries like health and fitness, automotive, financial, insurance, computers and phone repair. Whatever career path you’re interested in, it’s represented in franchising.”

To ensure Nebraska students know why franchise owners experience higher rates of success compared to those with an independent business, Thomsen enlisted several local and national franchise owners to share their experiences and insight with students at Nebraska Franchise Club.

Don Eckles, co-founder and chairman of Scooters Coffee, and Paul Hogan, ’85, who founded and franchised Home Instead, spoke to students in-person and virtually during a joint event with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Other franchise speakers included Charlie Colón, ’90 & ’05, franchise owner of Chick-fil-A; Laura (Cintani) Frantz, ’10, franchisee of House of Colour; Carey (Rademacher) Gille, ’99, president and co-founder of Franchise Fastlane; Eduardo Heredia, president of Double O’s Coffee franchise; and Ashley Kloxin, ’13, franchisee at Perspire Sauna Studio.