Michelle Rowan

Des Plaines

Senior Editor at Chicago Tribune

Editor at the Chicago Tribune. Travel enthusiast, baseball fan and animal lover.

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Articles

The SBA Franchise Directory Is Back: What It Means

1 month ago | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

Here’s how franchisors can protect their SBA eligibility and increase the likelihood that candidates’ loans get approved. In May 2023, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) announced it was doing away with the SBA Franchise Directory, sparking concerns for franchisors looking to grow their brands and entrepreneurs who needed loans to help them become business owners.
What You Need to Know

1 month ago | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a major focus for many organizations in recent years. Despite a recent wave of organizations rolling back DEI programs, when franchisors actively work to create diverse and inclusive workspaces, the whole franchise system benefits. Franchisors who design and implement DEI strategies find that their employees are more engaged with helping the organization reach its goals and that they can hire and retain the top talent in the industry.
Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks

Mar 19, 2025 | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

Are employee engagement surveys the key to happier employees or just another HR trend? Here at Franchise Business Review, we get to work with hundreds of leaders focused on people data. Employee engagement surveys are the foundation for building and maintaining a positive organizational culture, but we recognize that some think of surveys as just another “to do” item to check off a list.
What Makes a Great Franchise Business Coach

Mar 18, 2025 | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

One of the most difficult—but also most crucial—roles on your support team is the franchise business coach (FBC). FBCs are there to support and motivate the franchisee, but also to execute on the corporate team’s goals and needs and ensure compliance. At times those dual responsibilities—representing the franchisor’s interests while also helping to solve the challenges a franchisee is facing—can often leave FBCs feeling stuck in the middle. Angela Cote, CEO and founder of AC Inc.
The Best Franchises to Work For

Feb 20, 2025 | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

In 2018, Franchise Business Review (FBR) launched the Franchising at WORK study—a survey of corporate franchise employees designed to measure employee engagement and compensation within the franchise sector. We were able to gather meaningful data that, for the first time ever, created a benchmark for franchise companies.
How Franchisors Can Use EOS® & FBR Data to Drive Growth

Feb 12, 2025 | tour.franchisebusinessreview.com | Michelle Rowan

More and more franchisors are running their business with the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) and those that survey with Franchise Business Review (FBR) have a unique opportunity to integrate FBR data into the EOS framework to support action plans, solve key issues, and drive growth within their franchise organizations. EOS is a framework that uses a simple set of tools and processes to manage and grow a business by breaking down the company’s vision into actionable steps.
Seeing more Asian lady beetles this fall? There's a reason for that, experts say

Nov 11, 2024 | pantagraph.com | Michelle Rowan

Halloween might be over, but the swarms of multicolored, spotted “ladybugs” this fall can look like a scene from a horror movie. Illinois residents might have noticed an uptick in these harmless insects congregating in doors and windows, as they search every fall for a warm place to spend the winter. They’re actually not ladybugs, but multicolored Asian lady beetles, an invasive species identified by the dark-colored “M” or “W” on their heads depending on the direction you’re viewing them.
Warmth, lots of aphids may be driving swarms of Asian lady beetles — not ladybugs — into your home

Nov 9, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Michelle Rowan

Halloween might be over, but the swarms of multicolored, spotted “ladybugs” this fall can look like a scene from a horror movie. Illinois residents might have noticed an uptick in these harmless insects congregating in doors and windows, who search every fall for a warm place to spend the winter. They’re actually not ladybugs, but multicolored Asian lady beetles, an invasive species identified by the dark-colored “M” or “W” on their heads depending on the direction you’re viewing them.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Franchising

Sep 27, 2023 | franchising.com | Michelle Rowan

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a major focus for many organizations in recent years. When a franchisor actively works to create a diverse and inclusive workspace, the whole franchise system benefits. Franchisors who design and implement DEI strategies find that their employees are more engaged with helping the organization reach its goals, and that they can hire and retain the top talent in the industry.