Tech and Mortar

3 Takeaways:

1. The importance of understanding how policy and procedures that are put in place from the office are executable in the field. How Chris spent time working in the store long after being an executive.
2. Is the customer always right?
3. Don't react to what is happening from a technology standpoint TODAY, but where you see it tomorrow. Lessons he learned and what he might have done differently.

Speaker Bio:

Chris Dull understands what it takes to build successful brands. After graduating from Baylor, Chris took a position with Marble Slab Creamery, Inc. and rose through the management ranks. In 2007, as Executive Vice President, he led the brand through a go-public sale to NexCen Brands for $21 million. Chris went on to become President of NexCen Franchise Management.

In 2010, NexCen was acquired by Global Franchise Group, and Chris set his sights on maximizing the potential of the company's most promising concepts in the QSR space.

Today, Global Franchise Group has a portfolio of six brands – Great American Cookies®, Marble Slab Creamery/MaggieMoo's®, Pretzelmaker®, Hot Dog on a Stick®, and Round Table Pizza®.

Chris is credited with vertically integrating the company's manufacturing business. Plus adding a corporate store vertical to the GFG business with the 2014 acquisition of Hot Dog on a Stick® (which he led out of bankruptcy). As well as the acquisition of Round Table Pizza® in 2017.

Most recently, Chris championed the successful sale of Global Franchise Group from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners to Lion Capital LLP and Serruya Private Equity.

Chris' has led the organization to $1 billion in system-wide sales and more than 1,500 stores worldwide. He understands all aspects of franchising and is an expert in maximizing value.

Chris is an avid family man, triathlon, and true leader!

3 Main Points:

1. Lessons Jayson learned after landing the Starbucks account and bringing Chipotle to NYC
2. If you do not differentiate yourself, then you are out of business
3. Why Jayson considers the word "broker" a curse word

Speaker Bio:

Jayson Siano is the co-founder of Sabre Real Estate Group, a retail real estate brokerage firm based in Long Island, New York. Jayson was born into a family of car dealers, where he learned how to detail cars and make sales. His humble beginnings have shaped the way he conducts business. He first joined Breslin Realty in 2001 at the age of 25, making him the youngest broker at the company. After five years, his dedication proved itself when he became the top producer, responsible for leading the company with a focus on business development, strategy, corporate finance, recruiting and corporate culture. By 2007, Jayson was pursued by CBRE to co-create the retail services group out of its Woodbury office. After four years, he decided to break out and start his own brokerage company. Sabre Real Estate Group currently represents some of the world's most recognized brands and strives to help each client through achieving their short and long-term goals.

3 Main Points:

1. Create an experience so memorable they will tell people about it
2. Why franchise sales are completely different from other sales
3. The first question every franchisor needs to ask a potential franchisee

Speaker Bio:

Ryan Rao is a franchise development expert who has grown multiple franchise-based businesses into national and international brands. Ryan's passion for franchising grew and developed from his entrepreneurial spirit. Ryan has vast experience in real estate, start-up financing, start-up franchising, franchise development, and the intricacies of growing and developing a brand. He is an avid franchise blogger with thousands of followers. He also serves as a franchise consultant and is a personal growth advocate.

3 Main Points:

1. Self Driving cars are coming whether you are ready or not.
2. Pick the industry that is winning. Have more fun along the way.
3. Why does Amazon call it shipping instead of trucking?

Speaker Bio:

Kevin Foreman lives with his family in Seattle, WA and serves as a VP at INRIX. INRIX is the global leader in connected cars and transportation intelligence. They provide information such as, which side of the road has more morning traffic.

Not only was Kevin one of the first 1,000 Facebook users and has an MBA from Harvard, but he also hosts legendary "fist bump Fridays" for his thousands of social media followers. Kevin is an excellent storyteller and knows how to speak in a language that any audience can understand.

3 Main Points:

1. The mistake of rolling up your corporate identity to the brand you're a franchise of rather than focusing on your company's culture and what is under your control.
2. Having a mindset that you are a new neighbor when opening a restaurant in a new community.
3. The transition from focusing on site characteristics to focusing on the trade area when choosing new locations.

Speaker Bio:

Adam Saxton has had restaurant and operations running through his veins ever since he can remember. As a fourth generation to continue the tradition of food service Adam and the rest of The Saxton Group carry on the tradition.

The Saxton Group. Founded in 1982 with just two Mazzio's Pizza restaurants. In 2004, the Mazzio's Pizza stores were sold, allowing The Saxton Group to fully focus on one objective: bringing the beloved McAlister's Deli brand to Texas. Once The Saxton Group opened its first store in Longview, Texas the path of introducing the McAlister's brand to Texans didn't just grow, it took off. Today, The Saxton Group operates 75+ McAlister's Deli locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Over 25 of those locations are in the DFW metroplex.

Adam is an incredible leader who puts his employees and guests ahead of everything else. You can find him seeking out his customers on Twitter to get their feedback. Or promoting his team members from within to produce what is an unparallel company culture.

3 Main Points:

1. Best advice for those trying to find their way in commercial real estate or brick and mortar, as well as, the best strategies for effective networking.
2. The difference between good and great retailers.
3. What is happening with big box? Major headlines and what do they mean.

Speaker Bio:

Chris Ressa joined DLC Management Corp. in 2007. As Senior Vice President of Leasing, Mr. Ressa oversees leasing operations. During his tenure at DLC, his leadership has led to the successful repositioning of assets. His most notable leasing transactions have included TJX, Ross Dress for Less, Burlington Coat Factory, Dick's Sporting Goods, The Kroger Company, Best Buy, Toys "R" Us, and Planet Fitness.

Mr. Ressa received a BA in Economics from Rutgers University in 2005. He received his CLS (Certified Leasing Specialist) in 2010 and, in December 2012, became a member of the ICSC CLS Committee. His career started at The Sherwin-Williams Company as a Real Estate Manager handling the real estate for district/regional offices. Where he handled existing store renewals and new stores. He also worked for Ashkenazy Acquisitions as a Regional Leasing Manager where he was responsible for all leases in a portfolio of approximately 3.5 million square feet.

Talk Highlights:

• How Gregg's retail background lead him to where he is today, The Shopping Center Group.
• Why businesses should look at technology, mapping, and general infrastructure when building the bridge between technologies and brokers.
• Headed into The Shopping Center Group with an open mind Gregg starts tackling the job bringing in a new mapping platform.
• Why is mobile and movement data so important in today's day and age?

Speaker Bio:

For twelve years Gregg Katz had worked hand-in-hand with an award-winning GIS & Analytics company, The Shopping Center Group. As the Director of Innovation and Technology there, he has developed a forward way of thinking. This allows him to create an infrastructure for data, analytics, GIS, mobile technology, marketing/branding, and research by leveraging information and tools. This ultimately aligns the company's tactical plans for future growth with the needs of the company's employees and consumers. Not only does Gregg manage his own team of 35 employees but he also does Tenant Representation and Consulting. He consults with national, regional and local companies – AT&T Mobility, The Children's Place and Whole Foods. Utilizing his market expertise and relationships he helps locate, negotiate, and purchase the perfect location for his clients.

Talk Highlights:

• What sets apart a good franchisor from a great one?
• Jim's reaction to those who respond to the question "Why are you doing it that way?" with "Because that is the way we have always done it".
• The results of a company being resistant to technology.

Speaker Bio:

Jim Balis leads CapitalSpring's Strategic Operations Group, supporting due diligence, portfolio management, and industry knowledge building initiatives. He has several decades of management and turnaround experience in restaurant industry. Prior to joining Capital Spring, Jim was Founder and President of RMG a boutique advisory and turnaround firm serving the restaurant sector. He has directed numerous turnarounds and has acted as interim CEO or Chief Restructuring Officer for 15 restaurant companies. He began his food service career in high school, during which he held multiple management positions for local restaurants in New York. Jim holds a BA from Duke University.

Talk Highlights:

• The evolution of predictive modeling, from drawing maps to machine learning, from the perspective of an industry expert.
• Data democratization.
• Why mobile data is the new "true trade area."

Speaker Bio:

Larry Salinas has seen the market research industry evolve. From hiring internal Cartographers to leveraging the earliest of computers. Larry splits his time between New Jersey & Portland Maine. Larry built the market research team from scratch for a $7 Bn company. He is a rare combination of experience with a grasp of latest technology. Larry has worked with iconic brands such as Whole Foods, Toys R Us, and more.

Talk Highlights:

• Lessons Lee learned from starting the first commercial real estate department in Pinellas County FL to the early days of site selection.
• Commonalities of successful products particularly in the commercial real estate space, the drastic speed of technological evolution, and the reception of the industry.
• The story of one of the most successful people in the land of development, Herb Brown. As well as, his habits and behaviors that contributed to his success.

Speaker Bio:

Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Arnold Companies consortium of private companies including Colliers International – Florida Markets, L.A. Financial and Clearwater Bay Associates. Collectively these companies provide commercial and investment brokerage, property management, valuation, development, and capital market services.