Dear Frannie, Episode 17

In this week’s episode of Dear Frannie, we dive deep into a topic that every growing franchise brand must grapple with: how to build a scalable, future-ready tech stack with limited resources. If you’re a franchise founder, CIO, or operations leader navigating the intersection of technology and growth, this episode is for you.

Marina O’Rourke, Fractional CTO at Tsource, joins forces with Katherine LeBlanc of Franchise Fractionals and Chris Peterson, Fractional CTO at The Restaurant Assistants, to answer a pressing question from a franchise operator: “What considerations should we keep in mind to ensure our technology can scale with future growth? How can we build a tech stack that supports both current and future business needs with limited resources?”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to future-proof your tech decisions even when you’re operating with a lean budget
• The must-have components of a modern franchise tech stack, from POS to CRM to cybersecurity
• Tips on choosing integrations and platforms that grow with your brand
• The role of fractional tech leadership in making smarter, more cost-effective IT decisions
• Common mistakes growing franchises make—and how to avoid them

Why This Matters
As franchise brands scale, they often outgrow the tools and systems that got them started. Without a solid, scalable foundation, franchise operations can suffer from inefficiencies, data silos, and compliance risks. In this episode, our panel of seasoned tech leaders discusses how strategic planning, cloud-based solutions, and modular systems can help franchises expand confidently while avoiding expensive rework later.

Whether you’re managing multiple locations or just starting to scale, this conversation provides practical insights into making smart tech investments that evolve with your brand.

🎧 Take a listen now and walk away with actionable steps to align your technology with your long-term business strategy.

Featured Experts:

• Marina O’Rourke – Fractional CTO, Tsource
  Expert in digital transformation and scalable IT solutions for franchise and multi-unit brands.

• Katherine LeBlanc – Founder, Franchise Fractionals
  Specializes in fractional leadership and marketing for emerging franchise brands.

• Chris Peterson – Fractional CTO, The Restaurant Assistants
  Focused on technology implementation and systems optimization in the foodservice sector.