Thunderly's "American Dreamers" Celebrates Family Legacy Through Franchise Ownership

November installments highlight entrepreneurs building businesses, strengthening family bonds and creating opportunities for future generations

DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For many entrepreneurs, the American dream extends beyond owning a business. It is about building something that can be shared with loved ones and passed down to future generations.

This November, Thunderly, the franchise marketing agency behind "American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising"©, is celebrating the role of family in entrepreneurship. The latest installments feature Dee and Ketan Patel of Bojangles and mother-daughter duo Shannon O'Dore and Ashley Heller of Bark and Mane, showcasing how family values, mutual trust and a shared vision can turn business ownership into a meaningful family legacy.

"Family-owned businesses have long been a cornerstone of franchising," said Scott White, co-founder and CEO of Thunderly. "Dee, Ketan, Shannon and Ashley embody the entrepreneurial spirit, showing how business ownership can strengthen family bonds and create a foundation for future generations."

The family legacy spotlight marks the fourth topic of Thunderly's "American Dreamers" campaign, which launched in July in recognition of America's semiquincentennial.

Throughout the year, the campaign is sharing stories from franchise owners of different backgrounds, exploring the personal journeys, ambitions and experiences that have shaped their paths to entrepreneurship.

"Franchising offers a unique opportunity to turn shared values into a common purpose," added Monica Feid, co-founder and COO of Thunderly. "These stories highlight the personal side of entrepreneurship, including the trust, sacrifices and dedication that make building a business together so meaningful."

To watch the latest stories and learn more about the campaign, visit thunderlymarketing.com/american-dreamers.

About Thunderly

Recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row and annually included in Entrepreneur magazine's listing of Top Franchise Marketing Agencies, Thunderly is a full-service franchise marketing agency built to amplify and grow franchises and other dynamic brands. Throughout its history, Thunderly has helped franchisors award more than 15,000 franchises.

Founded in 1999, Thunderly brings decades of expertise in franchise development under one roof, including lead generation, website design, video production, public relations, social media, thought leadership, influencer campaigns, digital advertising, graphic design, crisis communication, personal branding, podcast production and more.

Known for its proprietary AIM Model© (Amplified Integrated Marketing), Thunderly enables brands to align every aspect of marketing communications into a cohesive, structured strategy designed to maximize visibility in a zero-click world across both traditional and AI-powered platforms.

More information is available at www.thunderlymarketing.com.

SOURCE Thunderly Marketing