Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2013 | Page 34

D OM I N A T O R S
“By the end of the year, I expect to have
two more locations. My four-year plan for Burger 21
is to open 15 new restaurants.”
manship with a great location, a reliable
staff, and a strong brand, his business has
improved each year.
With administrative help from his wife,
Haney spends much of his time finding
and developing a great staff. He interviewed 800 people before handpicking a
crew of 60 for his Melting Pot restaurant.
In 2010, he was named Franchisee of the
Year and has become a die-hard advocate
for franchising.
“I’m all about systems,” says Haney.
“A company like Front Burner Brands
[owner of Melting Pot, Burger 21, and
GrillSmith] puts a system into place with
checks and balances, training manuals, and
marketing for you. I’m able then to put
my strength—growing people and building teams—in there.”
Outside of franchising, he adds, “You’re
trying to wear too many hats. With the
franchises I’ve chosen so far, they’ve taken
the guesswork out and let me do what I
do best.” He plans to open another restaurant as soon as he finds one different

enough to suit him.
One year, his Melting Pot restaurant
raised $35,000 in nine weeks for St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, making it
the top fundraiser in the system for the
hospital. From there, Haney was named
co-chair of the national St. Jude fundraiser for The Melting Pot. “I have three
children, so this cause really meant a lot
to me. I’ve been to the hospital several
time