What Franchise Issue 21.1

Learn Get inspired with the latest business books, upcoming events and free courses By CHARLOTTE SMITH U S E F U L R E S O U R C E S The Unexpected CEO Shirin Behzadi From fleeing Iran as a teenager with nothing but a suitcase to leading a billion-dollar franchise empire, Shirin Behzadi’s story is as gripping as it is inspiring. The Unexpected CEO chronicles her journey from a Los Angeles gas station to the helm of Home Franchise Concepts, where she expanded to 1,700 territories and achieved a nine-figure exit. Behzadi blends memoir and business playbook, sharing lessons on resilience, leadership, and strategic growth forged through poverty, illness, and upheaval. Her systems-thinking approach to franchising makes this a powerful read for entrepreneurs seeking purpose beyond profit. Different: How the Power of Different and AI Can Amplify Your Brand Varsha Amin Varsha Amin’s Different is a bold manifesto for anyone who has ever felt underestimated. Blending personal storytelling, brand strategy, and practical AI insights, Amin shows how individuality isn’t a weakness but the key to influence. From her own journey with dyslexia to advising tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, she proves that authenticity drives success. Packed with real examples and actionable tools, Different empowers readers to harness AI and personal branding to transform invisibility into impact. A timely, inspiring read for leaders, creatives, and underrepresented voices ready to stand out. Franchising the American Dream Eddie Flores, Jr. Eddie Flores, Jr.’s Franchising the American Dream is equal parts memoir and business guide, sharing how he grew his restaurant franchise L&L Hawaiian Barbecue from a single Hawaii drive-in he bought for his mother into a thriving 230-location franchise across the USA and Japan. Flores writes with warmth and candour about his immigrant journey, the risks he took, and the unconventional choices he made that put franchisees first. His story is both inspiring and practical, offering encouragement and real-world lessons for anyone chasing their own version of the American dream – a concept that can be embraced by entrepreneurs with vision in the UK too. The Crisis Casebook Edward Segal Edward Segal’s The Crisis Casebook is a smart, timely guide to navigating the unpredictable world of PR disasters. Backed by endorsements from formerWhite House Press Secretary Mike McCurry and columnist Eleanor Clift, Segal draws on decades of experience with brands like Ford, Humana, and Ogilvy PR to unpack real-world crises and the lessons behind them. From social media firestorms to botched apologies, he reveals what companies must do – and avoid – to protect their reputation and future. Packed with practical strategies and cautionary tales, this book is essential reading for leaders everywhere, including UK businesses facing up to today’s volatile online media landscape. The Educated Franchisee Rick Bisio, Mike Kohler, and Jennifer Gehlhar The Educated Franchisee is an easy-to-follow, practical guide for anyone considering franchise ownership. Instead of drowning readers in jargon, it lays out a clear, step-by-step process for finding a business that truly fits your lifestyle, goals, and values. The authors share real-world insights on evaluating opportunities, avoiding costly mistakes, and asking the right questions before you commit.Whether you’re leaving corporate life or starting fresh, this book makes the complex world of franchising feel approachable – and its smart strategies apply just as well to aspiring franchise owners in the UK. Like Clockwork SamGoodner In Like Clockwork , serial entrepreneur and former Swiss Army officer SamGoodner shows how to replace 6 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 21.1