How a Hunger to Learn More Has Helped Stacy Lee Rise Through the Ranks in Franchising

For Stacy Lee, passion has always been a driving force in her career. From working in sales at bike companies like Incycle Cyclery and Rock N’ Road Cyclery to her current position as senior director of marketing for Ruby’s Diner, her excitement about a brand’s growth potential has stayed constant. And it’s that hunger for the next challenge or opportunity that’s helped her rise through the ranks of the franchising industry.

Lee was first introduced to the restaurant franchising business after accepting a job as a marketing coordinator with Gala Corporation. With investments in major chains like Famous Dave’s, Applebee’s and Del Taco, Lee was tasked with spreading the word about their products and business opportunities. But she was constantly craving more responsibility.

Not only did that drive help Lee launch Gala Corporation’s internship program, it also enabled her to dabble in both marketing and sales as a promoted manager. So when she decided that she wanted to see what other opportunities were out there, Lee knew that she wanted to be involved with a company that was ready to grow in a big way. And a position at Ruby’s Diner immediately stood out.

With a loyal following and strong reputation across the West Coast for being a top quality diner with delicious food, Lee recognized that Ruby’s had a team that acted more like a family. And that sense of community extends to its guests, enabling them to experience the nostalgia of a classic 1940’s American diner in an environment that’s also keeping up with today’s technology. Realizing the strong growth potential behind the brand, Lee knew she wanted to play a role in bringing Ruby’s to new communities.

“It might seem cliché, but what really makes Ruby’s unique is the people. There’s a real passion behind every team member that we hire—we all love what we do every day. And that type of dedication is something that can’t be trained,” said Lee. “Our founder Doug has done a fantastic job of making sure that his vision is realized on a daily basis. That’s what first brought me to the Ruby’s brand, and it’s why I’m still committed to seeing the brand grow today.”

As the senior director of marketing for Ruby’s, Lee is currently focused on boosting the brand’s awareness on a national and global level. Her goal is to extend Ruby’s reach beyond its existing 35 locations, and build a base of fanatic followers that will help spread the word about Ruby’s in their own local communities.

While Lee is confident that the brand will achieve its development goals, she knows that it takes hard work. After working her way up the ladder in every company that she’s worked for, Lee is no stranger to being the driving force behind her own success.

“You can’t give up on your goals or doubt your abilities. At the end of the day, there will always be naysayers trying to cast doubt. But if you believe that you’re capable and keep moving forward, you can persevere and accomplish anything,” said Lee.

That confidence and commitment to seeing goals through is something that Lee is seeing more of across the franchising industry, especially as more women begin to take over leadership roles. In the historically male dominated industry, there’s a renewed sense of inclusion and possibility that’s hard to ignore. And as that trend continues to become more popular, Lee says that a variety of perspectives on brands’ leadership teams will continue to fuel franchising’s momentum.

“I’m starting to see a lot more women in those corner office positions. And that’s an incredibly exciting thing to be a part of. I have no doubt that we’re going to see more women take on leadership roles across the entire franchising industry, as well as business in general,” said Lee. “At the end of the day, adding different perspectives to the workplace comes down to boosting the visibility of those who are currently succeeding. By highlighting women who have founded their own companies, launched their own businesses and worked their way up the corporate ladder, we’re creating a better balance for the next generation.”