Out to Lunch is recorded each week live over lunch at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans’ Garden District. One of the reasons Commander’s has been in business for over 130 years is that each time we come here for lunch it’s just as good as it was the last time.

Imagine if you had to replicate that dining experience at not just one, but hundreds of restaurants. That’s what a franchise is.

Despite the cookie-cutter, anti-local-New Orleans connotation of the concept of franchising, most franchise-produced finances – jobs, products and services – stay in the local area. And beyond that, not all franchises are national chains that come to New Orleans. Some national franchises originate in New Orleans. Popeyes and Ruth’s Chris are the biggest.

Local company Ballard Brands is catching up.

Paul Ballard and his two brothers have nearly 150 locally originated franchise locations across the country. Ballard Brands, owns PJ’s Coffee and WOW Cafe. Paul joins Peter to talk franchising on today’s Out to Lunch.

Ted Fireman teaches about the business of franchising at Tulane. And Ted is the owner of a franchising consultancy, FranNet Louisiana. FranNet helps people who want to open a small business find a suitable franchise.

On today’s Out to Lunch, Peter Ricchiuti, Ted Fireman and Paul Ballard kick around how to get from flipping burgers to “Over a Billion Served”.