Making Business Ownership Faster & More Transparent
meet the franchise now team
Our Mission
Bring more accountability, control, and transparency (ACT) to franchise funding.
The Vision
Transform the way the franchise industry funds business ownership. Make business ownership faster, easier, and more transparent for franchisors and qualified franchise candidates.
A Letter From Our Founder, Derrick Skogsberg
When I reflect back on a career dedicated to small business funding, one common denominator has played a central role in my success – innovation.
To me, innovation isn’t just defined by the ability to identify an opportunity - it also extends to creating specific solutions that advance our shared interests.
Back in 2008, I founded Tenet Financial Group to address a gap in franchise funding that we solved through the implementation of long-term financial consulting solutions. Now, more than two decades later, we’re ready to innovate all over again…
As CEO of Tenet Financial Group, I’m proud to announce the launch of our latest venture - Franchise Now and the DreamStart™ Funding Program.
A revolutionary approach to franchise funding with the potential to usher in a whole new era of franchise growth and development.
How does it work? The premise itself is breathtakingly simple in its audacity, but comprehensive enough to benefit both franchisors and franchisees alike.
The DreamStart™ Funding Program drastically reduces the traditional development timeline by prequalifying candidates early and advancing immediate payment of franchise fees upon receipt of executed agreements.
This allows new franchisees to commence training, complete their onboarding process, and launch the business of their dreams up to 60-120 days faster than traditional financing methods.
Likewise, franchisors also benefit from an accelerated development timeline that increases conversions, improves the candidate experience, and expedites royalty payments.
To address the question of “Why now?” I think we can all agree this solution is a long-overdue response to the challenges we’ve faced in the world of franchise finance.
The majority of franchise development teams we work with agree that the timeline for traditional funding is outdated, inefficient, and ripe for change.
Even with the understanding that the process itself is bureaucratic by nature, funding approvals are often subject to time-consuming delays, which kill momentum and hinder our ability to close deals efficiently.
And when we can’t close deals efficiently, we can’t expect to grow effectively.
The industry must embrace the fact that the funding process itself is evolving. And this evolution will have a significant and material impact on franchise growth in 2026.
In an effort to introduce a more concise timeline that brings more control, accountability, and transparency to the experience, Franchise Now has accepted the challenge…and stands ready to spearhead this revolutionary approach.
If you have questions or would like to see a demo of the DreamStart™ Funding Program, please visit our website or email our President, Sam Phelps, at shelps@franchisenow.com to book a call!
- Derrick Skogsberg
The Pillars That Guide Our Solutions
We prioritize fast franchise funding to remove delays and keep our clients’ dreams of business ownership moving forward with momentum.
Speed
We communicate clearly and transparently as a company—there are no hidden catches or surprises in our funding process.
Transparency
Our funding support and education are designed to deliver consistent, dependable service every time. Our clients can count on us at every step.
Reliability
We work closely with franchisors and brokers, supporting them every step of the way as true collaborators in the funding journey.
Partnership
Meet The Franchise Now Team
Derrick Skogsberg
Chairman and Founder
As Chairman of Franchise Now, Derrick operates at the board level, guiding the company’s direction, vision, and long-term mission to modernize the franchise industry’s funding process. A pioneer in franchise finance, Derrick has founded two successful franchise funding firms and has been a pillar of the franchise funding community for more than two decades. Through his leadership, he has helped shape funding pathways that enable entrepreneurs to access capital and build durable small businesses across the franchise landscape. He is deeply experienced in funding strategy, including SBA lending and the design and administration of ROBS plans.
Known throughout the industry for his integrity, transparency, and commitment to responsible funding, Derrick approaches every opportunity with a service-first mindset and deep respect for the entrepreneurs he serves. His extensive knowledge of funding solutions and longstanding relationships across the franchise ecosystem continue to strengthen Franchise Now’s impact and help ensure sustainable growth for brands and business owners alike.
David Woggon
Vice President of Development
Dave Woggon brings nearly four decades of franchise industry experience to the company’s growth strategy and strategic partnerships. A respected franchise veteran, Dave has served the industry from every angle, including franchisor, franchise operator, development leader, funding advisor, and consultant, giving him a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to get franchisees funded and off the ground while supporting his franchise partners throughout the process.
Most recently, Dave served as a Senior Funding Consultant with Tenet Financial Group, advising candidates and helping entrepreneurs navigate funding decisions with clarity and confidence. He founded Phoenix Funding Source and spent more than a decade helping business owners secure the capital needed to launch their ventures. Dave previously served as Senior Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations and minority owner of Kitchen Solvers. Known throughout the franchise community for his authenticity, relationship-first approach, and genuine passion for serving others, he remains deeply committed to helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams of franchise and business ownership.
Jamie Hogan
Chief Financial Officer
Jamie Hogan brings more than three decades of accounting and financial leadership experience to the company’s mission of modernizing franchise funding. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and respected industry leader, Jamie founded and served as CEO of Specialized Accounting Services, building it into the nation’s premier accounting firm dedicated to the franchise sector and a trusted financial partner to thousands of franchise operators nationwide. Over the course of his career, he has advised franchise brands and operators at every stage of growth, earning a reputation as a trusted financial resource across the industry.
For decades, Jamie has been committed to serving the small business and franchise community, helping owners build strong financial foundations and navigate growth with clarity and confidence. He currently serves on the board of State Bank of the Lakes and previously served on the board of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA), reflecting his commitment to responsible governance and community economic growth. Known for his disciplined financial stewardship, operational efficiency, and commitment to transparency, he ensures the accountability and financial rigor that underpin responsible expansion across the Franchise Now platform.
Rick Watson
Chief Technology Officer
As Chief Technology Officer of Franchise Now, Rick Watson brings more than four decades of enterprise technology leadership to the company’s mission of modernizing franchise funding. A trusted technology strategist and systems architect, Rick has spent decades building secure, scalable platforms that support business growth, operational efficiency, and regulatory integrity. He designed and developed the FranchiseNow platform, a next- generation system built to streamline franchise onboarding and funding through automation, workflow optimization, and modern cloud technologies.
Rick previously held executive technology leadership roles with organizations including Powerhouse, USHEALTH Group (now UnitedHealth Group), Pizza Hut Corporation, and Ben E. Keith Companies, where he led large-scale digital transformation initiatives and built high-performing teams supporting global operations. Known for pairing deep technical expertise with thoughtful attention to the client experience, he builds systems that are intuitive, secure, and reliable for the people who depend on them. His disciplined approach ensures the Franchise Now platform remains a trusted foundation for responsible growth across the franchise ecosystem.
Samuel Phelps
president
Sam Phelps brings a relationship-driven leadership style and a deep understanding of franchise finance to the company’s growth and direction. With more than a decade in commercial and SBA lending, he has helped entrepreneurs access capital and guided franchise brands through the complexities of funding and expansion. Sam previously led the SBA lending department at a Texas-based bank, overseeing franchise funding initiatives and developing practical financing pathways for small business owners. A Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), he also built and operated a business valuation practice, strengthening his expertise in risk assessment, financial analysis, and transaction readiness.
Most recently, Sam served as Director at Tenet Financial Group, structuring financing solutions for entrepreneurs and franchise brands nationwide. He serves on the credit committee of PeopleFund CDC and the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Region VI committee, and previously served on the boards of the North Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders and the Risk Management Association of North Texas. He remains committed to increasing transparency, restoring accountability, and giving franchisors greater visibility and control as candidates move from commitment to business ownership.