Kris Frieswick

He's one of America's most famous funnymen, but here's what most people don't see: Kevin Hart is often in his office, running a far more ambitious comedy machine.

With the right mix of speed, timing and guts, smart founders can profit hugely from their much, much, much larger rivals' misfortune.

Women are buying franchises at a rate far faster than men. Now the industry is asking itself: Why?