Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2016 | Page 12
D OM I N A T O R S
BY KERRY PIPES & EDDY GOLDBERG
Dominating the Field
These six multi-unit operators take charge!
W
hat do two attorneys, a former Applebee’s
CEO, and a retired NFL quarterback have in
common? They’re four of the six multi-unit
franchisees we’ve profiled in this issue. A fifth
operates 177 Wendy’s in 8 states, and the other left
corporate finance and became Penn Station East Coast
Subs’ first Franchisee of the Year. Surely a stellar bunch
for our annual Dominators issue!
We come across many multi-unit operators but
“Dominators,” as we like to call them, are a unique
breed, fun to interview, and exciting to write about.
Some control their markets by having a large number
of units, some by operating the only units of a brand,
and many are the top-performing operators in their region. No matter how they do it, they dominate where
they operate.
Once a year we devote an issue to these hard-working, inspiring franchisees. As usual, they’re an interesting mix, but the results are similar: a combination of
grit, determination, and perseverance has led each to
success and domination with their chosen brands and
markets. Their stories and the paths they’ve followed
are insightful and revealing. Here come this year’s
“Dominators”!
• Rob Chinsky is 49 years old, but has been in
franchising since age 23. That’s when a family friend
financed his first Penn Station East Coast Subs restaurant. He now has 17 Penn Stations open. Next year,
he’ll open his 18th, the maximum the brand allows. In
2002, he became the brand’s first Franchisee of the Year
and has served 10 years as president of the Franchise
Advisory Committee.
• Dave Goebel has worn many hats: franchisor,
franchisee, creator of several original concepts, board
director, executive coach, philanthropist, husband, and
father. Today the former Applebee’s CEO is a Pie Five
Pizza franchisee who, with three of his children, operates 10 stores, with 2 more set to open in Q4. He also
operates 5 Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, 6 Y-Leave Cafes, and owns Prime Catered Events.
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• Mara Fortin has the distinction of being Nothing
Bundt Cake’s first franchisee. The former attorney and
mother of two pre-teen girls has expanded to 7 Nothing Bundt Cake bakeries in San Diego County. She’s a
strong pro-franchise advocate who has testified before
Congress and received the IFA’s FAN of the Year award
in 2015. Someday, she says, she might run for Congress
or another elected office. Stay tuned!
• Robert Schermer, Jr. left a career in corporate finance 18 years ago to join Meritage Hospitality Group.
When he arrived, sales were $27 million (today they’re
$228 million), and the company operated 22 Wendy’s
restaurants in Michigan (today it’s 177 in 8 states)—and
the publicly traded company is looking to reach 300 by
2021. Not enough? He also operates four original casual dining concepts in Michigan (6 units total).
• Robert Branca is a great example of a dominating
franchisee. His organization operates 85 Dunkin’ Donuts and his extended family operates more than 1,200
Dunkin’ locations, primarily in the Northeast. He also
has a construction company, a manufacturing plant,
and is an investor in NRD Partners, a fund that invests
in emerging brands. An attorney, he’s become a strong
advocate for franchising and in September was named a
2016 Franchisee of the Year by the IFA.
• David Garrard is a former NFL quarterback
who spent 9 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars,
including a victory in the 2007 NFL Wild Card Playoffs. Unlike many pro athletes, he knew there would
be life after football and worked closely with his financial adviser to prepare for that day. Today he is a
Retro Fitness franchisee with two Florida gyms open
and a third on the way. He’s an inspiring example of a
star athlete who made the successful transition to the
franchise world.
Once again we’ve teamed up with FRANdata to
bring you the 2016 listing of the DMAs with the most
franchised units, and the dominant franchisee organizations in each state and region.
Take note, the Dominators are here!
MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE IV, 2016
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