Franchise Today

This week we hear from Craig Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Development of US Development at Wingstop.  Is there any doubt in your mind about how much I am looking forward to this conversation?  Craig is uniquely qualified attorney, business professional, and former Army officer with extensive senior leadership experience in franchise development and operations. Highly effective, at building strong relationships and consensus behind initiatives, leading to revenue and unit growth.

His areas of expertise include: strategy formulation, franchise development, relationship management, revenue and EBITDA growth, conflict management, consensus building, contract negotiations, and leadership.

Roger Martin was once the Chief Operating Officer of an industry-leading pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company. His prior experience includes serving in the role of National Sales Director and Sr. Vice President of Sales, for leading sales and marketing teams of over 500 sales representatives in the specialty and big pharma market, so Roger brings a wealth of skills to his franchise brands.  Roger has extensive expertise in sales management, leadership, and deployment, business development, strategic selling, contract negotiation, business-to-business service contracting, licensing, and contracted services and  marketing. 

Roger currently serves as the CEO of RockBox Fitness and beem™ Light Sauna and has owned and operated multiple RockBox studios and currently owns the flagship beem™ Light Sauna studio in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Collectively these brands operate under the umbrella of ThriveMore Brands.

Scott Thompson is Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of all the brands, operating under the Level Five Capital Partners banner, most notably Big Blue Swim Schools.  Scott is a strategic Franchise Executive, and Lifelong Learner, and Planner.  He is also a Data Driven Sales and Marketing Executive that continuously innovates and leverages technology to the nth degree, to accelerate growth across all the brands he is aligned with.  

 His specialties: Franchise Development, Lease Negotiations, Real Estate, Financing, Sales and marketing training, Franchise law, Corporate startups, Business Coaching, Partnership Development, and Teambuilding and Technology.  And he joins us this week, to talk about all of that and more.

This week we hear from Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. He started out as an Outdoor Lighting Perspectives franchise owner in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2000, and in 2002 was hired by the brand as a consultant, to help develop and support new franchisees. He became Vice President of the brand in 2004.  Today Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is one of seven brands under the Empower Brands umbrella and Scott is the CEO of the whole shooting match.

 

Following my interview with Scott, an exciting announcement from yours truly!.

Mark Jameson's career is as entertaining to hear about, as he is informative and enlightening.  Join us this week and learn about his story and the growth and development of Propelled Brands, under the leadership of former IFA Chairwoman, Catherisne Monson.

Rafik Farouk began his illustrious career in hospitality in Egypt, right out of culinary school.  Some 30 years later, he's done it all.  From tending bar to International Operations and Franchise Development.  Rafik's depth of experience has seen it all too, from both the franchisee and franchisor side of the equation.  Today, he directs International Global Business Development for P.F. Changs and he is here to tell us all about it.

Until we meet again in the new year, may you and yours have a safe and joyeous Holiday Season.  I return on January 11th at noon ET and will be joined by Rafik Farouk, Senior Director of GLobal Development at P.F. Changs.  Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Habari Gani, Good Boxing Day to my Canadian friends to the north and Happy BNew Year, to one and all!

 

C-ya in 23!

This week we close out Season 13 of Franchise Today with a quick review of 2022 and a look ahead to 2023.  Violating every rule of PC (Political Correctness) I will wish you all the very best for a safe and Happy Holiday Season, calling out some of those holidays by their correct and proper names.  :)

I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.  I certainly have enjoyed my break on the beaches of Amelia Island, FL.  This week I reprise my interview with Franchise Business Review's Emily George.  Anyone who knows her, gives thanks for the opportunity to do so.  What a better way to bring the Thanksgiving break to a close.  If you already know her, you know I'm right.  If you've yet to meet her, here is your opportunity.  

C-ya back here to put the lid on Season 13 of Franchise Today, next Wed. at noon Eastern!

This week I present my interview with Jeremy Morgan, CEO of WellBiz Brands, the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise portfolio including Drybar®, Amazing Lash Studio®, Radiant Waxing™, Elements Massage®, and Fitness Together®. Boasting some nearly 250,000 members and $500 million of systemwide sales across the 900 locations of their collective brands,  WellBiz Brands is the leading franchisor of products and services that cater to the needs of affluent women.

As CEO, Jeremy has spearheaded the M&A agenda for WBB.  Under his leadership the company has created a world-class membership ecosystem for franchisees, while also building expertise in supply chain management, e-commerce and product innovation. His influence and vision have helped the company earn national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, among others.