BY KERRY PIPES AND EDDY GOLDBERG
It ’ s Mega Time ! Six great stories to start the year
W e ’ re starting 2017 in our customary way : with our “ Mega 99 ” list of the largest U . S . franchisees , ranked by total number of units . We also offer six stories of successful multi-unit operators — a half-dozen diverse profiles that highlight both modest and mammoth organizations . Together , they provide a broad spectrum of size , industries , and scope of operations . Perhaps more important , each has been successful in their own way and has a unique story to tell .
Successful franchisees , from mega to mini , must become leaders who know how to make a deal work , hire the right people , and create a dedicated , hard-working team . With the right combination of ingredients , they ’ re able to build and sustain organizations that offer great products and services , serve customers , provide jobs in their communities , and build revenue and royalty streams .
Once again we are privileged to have been granted a peek behind the scenes at six franchisees who have carved their own paths to success . These are highly personal stories of how they ’ ve climbed the ladder , overcome obstacles , and grown not only their organizations , but also their employees and themselves . It ’ s rewarding and inspiring for us — and we hope for you — to read their stories , which are far from complete .
• Al Bhakta is managing director of Chalak Mitra Group , a diverse company that is both franchisee and franchisor . Operated by a group of seven friends who work and play hard together , the company operates and oversees 253 restaurants in 27 states with brands including KFC / Taco Bell , La Madeleine , Genghis Grill , Elephant Bar , Fireside Pies , Pepper Smash , and Ruby Tequila ’ s Mexican Grill .
• Eddie Rodriguez , CEO of JAE Group in Boca Raton , is one of the nation ’ s 10 largest Wendy ’ s franchisees . With 179 Wendy ’ s in Florida , New Mexico , and Texas and 43 years of franchising under his belt , he is committed to a brand he believes in . As Dave Thomas once told him , “ Take care of the business and the business will take care of you .” Rodriguez is living proof . Dave would be proud .
• Harry Rose , who founded The Rose Group in
1985 , has continually earned honors from the franchisors lucky enough to attract his interest . Today The Rose Group operates 56 Applebee ’ s , 9 Corner Bakery Cafes , and 2 Shannon Rose Irish Pubs , employing 4,500 people across New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Maryland , and Delaware . Says Rose , “ It ’ s all about hiring the right people and giving them the challenge to execute .”
• We ’ ve also “ Reconnected ” with Sam Osborne , who has been on the move since we profiled him in early 2009 . Osborne is the longest-running franchisee in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe system . When we last interviewed him he was busy building out his Florida territories as both an area developer and operator . Today he has 23 locations , with four more in development . He has also pioneered TSC ’ s newest concept , Island Wing Company , and has opened his first in Tallahassee .
• K ’ Zell “ Zelly ” Wesson has been a professional basketball player for international teams for more than 17 years . He currently plays for a pro team in Turkey . At 39 , the six-foot-seven-inch forward recognizes that there will be a lot of life after sports . So in 2013 , he opened his first Workout Anytime fitness center in Stockbridge , Ga . He now has three units up and running and another being built . His unique story includes overseeing his franchise operation from 6,000 miles away while the season is under way .
• New to our pages this year is a regular look at “ Under 30 ” multi-unit operators . Veronica and Tyler Jordan both had 9-to-5 jobs before deciding to look for something more creative and profitable . After searching for 3 years , she responded to an ad for Wine & Design and they were on their way . She ’ s only 27 and he ’ s 28 , but they already have three units open in Maryland — and bigger plans for the future . With two young children in tow , this young family is redefining on-the-go .
Whether you have a single unit or dozens spread across several brands , you ’ re sure to find something interesting , educational , even entertaining in these six stories of hard-driving , successful multi-unit franchisees .
This is our annual Mega 99 issue , so be sure to check out FRANdata ’ s list of the country ’ s largest multi-unit franchisee organizations , ranked by number of units , starting on page 46 .
12 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE I , 2017