FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Keith Gerson, CFE, (954) 815-5228, keith@thefranchiseconsortium.com

Industry Veteran Recognized for Meeting Comprehensive Supplier Excellence Criteria

[NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS] – February 9, 2025 – John Francis, widely known as “Johnny Franchise,” is among the first suppliers to complete The Franchise Consortium’s landmark accreditation process, the franchise industry’s most comprehensive, data-driven evaluation program.

The accreditation program evaluates suppliers around the world across 24 key performance indicators in five critical categories including Foundation and Stability, Professional Excellence, Operational Standards, Trust and Verification, and Industry Commitment. Suppliers must achieve and maintain a minimum 80% score, demonstrating excellence in operational capabilities, financial stability, industry expertise, and commitment to the franchise community.

Francis, who leads Next Level Franchise, brings comprehensive experience as a franchisor, franchisee, supplier, board member, and consultant. His family business, The Barbers, which included Cost Cutters, City Looks, and We Care Hair, grew to over 1,000 units with a 37-year history of zero litigation with franchisees. “Responsible franchising is all I’ve ever known,” said Francis. “I love seeing franchising done well and working with professionals who share similar values. We’re here to genuinely provide value and help these owners and their brands succeed.”

For franchisors, working with accredited suppliers provides significant advantages through risk reduction, time and resource savings, and strategic benefits. The Franchise Consortium maintains ongoing oversight through performance monitoring and satisfaction tracking.

“John Francis exemplifies exactly the type of supplier we envisioned,” said co-Managing Partners Keith Gerson and Bill Edwards, who founded The Franchise Consortium. “Our accredited members will have unprecedented opportunities to collaborate, share best practices, and partner on complex projects with other responsible franchise suppliers. This level of trusted cooperation ultimately benefits the entire franchise community.”

Franchisors interested in learning more about The Franchise Consortium’s accredited suppliers can visit www.thefranchiseconsortium.com.

About The Franchise Consortium: The Franchise Consortium transforms how franchisors find and validate suppliers through objective, data-driven accreditation. Through comprehensive evaluation across 24 key performance indicators, the organization helps franchise systems make confident supplier selections based on validated capabilities rather than marketing presence.

About John Francis, Next Level Franchising: John Francis is an enthusiastic, engaging, and entertaining public speaker, advisor and coach who speaks from experience and from the heart. Through Next Level Franchising, he helps franchisors and franchisees look at their businesses in new, positive, and profitable ways. www.johnnyfranchise.com.