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2022’s Top Franchise Influencers: 55–46

Once again, 1851 Franchise and SeoSamba have teamed up to find the most influential influencers in the franchise world.

By Ben Warren1851 Franchise Managing Editor
Updated 7:07AM • 02/22/22

Franchising is a big world, and it’s only getting bigger. Still, it’s a community, and a fairly close-knit community at that. Franchisors and franchisees across brands are constantly kept abreast of what their colleagues and competitors are up to, eager to implement best practices and leverage the industry’s best ideas. 

That’s why it’s essential for everyone in the industry to know who’s who. Whether you are buying a franchise, franchising your business, growing your franchise or looking for general information on franchising, tapping into the franchise world’s thriving community is vital to your success.

To that end, 1851 Franchise has teamed up with SeoSamba to bring you a list of the most influential people in franchising. 

Publishing throughout the month of February, this list is not a ranking, but a collection of 175 franchise industry professionals we think you should know. To help you connect, we’ve provided links to each professional’s LinkedIn page where available. So read on, and get busy building your network!

Peter Cancro

Peter Cancro’s Bio (from the Jersey Mike’s website):

Peter Cancro is CEO of Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems Inc., overseeing more than 2,000 locations open and under development. Despite the title, Peter still jumps behind the counter to test his skills and demonstrate his passion for the product and the customer. He tries to instill that passion in every store he enters and with every franchisee he meets.

Peter Holt

LinkedIn Bio:

Peter D. Holt has been active in the franchise community helping iconic companies such as Mail Boxes Etc. (now The UPS Store), Tasti D Lite and Planet Smoothie manage their franchise systems in both domestic and overseas markets for more than 30 years. Most recently was appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Joint, the largest franchised network of Chiropractic clinics in the world with over 400 clinics system-wide. The Joint is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ (JYNT) based in Scottsdale, AZ. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer for Tasti D-Lite, LLC a Brentwood, Tennessee-based company. While at Tasti D Lite he transformed the NYC-based licensed outlets into a complete business format franchise system. Additionally, he led the acquisition of Planet Smoothie by Tasti D Lite in 2011 and its integration into the Tasti D Lite business. In June 2015 the company was acquired by Kahala Brands.

Mr. Holt earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of London and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Washington, where he graduated cum laude.

He has written and lectured extensively on the subject of franchising. He currently serves as an advisory board member for Stage Six, which builds and supports impactful and sustainable social businesses that are using the franchise model to rapidly and dramatically scale in emerging markets around the world. From 2014 to 2016 he served on the Board of Directors of PASMO, the Guatemalan board managed by the Washington DC-based NGO offering health care services through franchising. He served on the IFA Board of Directors from 2013 to 2015. He served as Chairman on the International Affairs Network (IAN) of the IFA from 1998 to 2007 and was Chairman of the Global Marketing Group (GLOMAK) from 1998 to 2007, which advises IFA on all its international franchise activities.

Pip Wilkins

LinkedIn Bio:

A confident, dynamic and resourceful Chief Executive who enjoys helping others to expand their skills. Proven ability to initiate, develop and launch new initiatives for the greater good of the franchise industry. Passionate about standards and ensuring people have the right information to make the right decisions.

Randy Shacka

LinkedIn Bio:

Moving people forward is my primary focus. Driving our brand forward and bringing value through franchise relationships, executing upon our vision and helping provide a world-class customer experience.

Rebecca Monet

LinkedIn Bio:

Zorakle Profiles provides assessment tools to the franchise space. Our SpotOn! meta-analysis provides insight no singular profile, survey, algorithm or assessment can. Our SpotOn! science determines franchisee-franchisor compatibility and predicts performance. 

Richard Davies

LinkedIn Bio:

Having started my journey in franchising in 1997 and what a journey it has been.  The relationships and friendships built during that time has enabled myself to develop but also improve and evolve the products and solutions we can offer to franchisors, suppliers and franchisees worldwide. 

We started out as one magazine back in 1997  and look at the portfolio we have grown that is now truly worldwide and growing.

Our aim was to provide a platform and a voice to promote franchising and education to a wider audience and we continue to do that. 

Richard Knight

About USA Ninja Challenge (from company website):

USA Nina Challenge has created a blueprint for a successful business that increases children's wellbeing and positively impacts the community.  The unique, progressive training system challenges children to overcome obstacles, one at a time.  The level system and extensive curriculum keep children from ages 4-17 engaged for years, creating customers for life.  Community support and interaction is a key pillar of the business that creates opportunities to work with other community-based organizations and charities.

Rick Grossmann

LinkedIn Bio:

Rick has been involved in the franchise industry since 1994. He franchised his first company and grew it to 49 locations in 19 states during the mid to late 1990s. He served as the Chief Executive Officer and primary trainer focusing on franchise owner relations and creating tools and technologies to increase franchisee success.

Rick developed and launched his second franchise organization in 2003. He led this company as the CEO and CMO growing to over 150 locations in less than three years. He developed the high-tech/high-touch franchise recruiting and sales system.

Both companies achieved ranking on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List. During this period Rick served as a business and marketing consultant to small businesses and multimillion-dollar enterprises. He also consulted with franchise owners and prospective franchisees, franchisors, and companies seeking to franchise around the world..

Rick is the author of Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise Bible series and his 9th Edition was released worldwide in April of 2021. He also is a contributing author to Entrepreneur Magazine and other industry publications on the subject of franchising and business.

He currently heads up the Entrepreneur Franchise Advisors program, serves as an executive coach and strategist for multiple franchise clients and is the co-host of the Franchise Bible Coach Radio Podcast with Rick and Rob.

Rita Patel

LinkedIn Bio:

I am a passionate and innovative marketing executive and I let curiosity lead me toward innovative solutions to marketing’s complex challenges. As a CPG and retail expert, I have a knack for launching new brands and taking established ones to new heights. I take pride in having built amazing teams and implementing award winning marketing campaigns around the world. My work at Wrigley took me to Barcelona, Spain where I was part of the marketing and product development team. During my time at MillerCoors, I helped launch the Peroni beer brand in Australia and managed the brand strategy and equity for Coors Light when it overtook the competition for the #2 spot in market-share. While at Target, I launched the Good & Gather and Everspring brands, among others, by building a new capability for the organization leveraging consumer insights and a strong understanding of brand purpose. With drive and an empathetic leadership style, I motivate high performing teams to deliver transformational results. Diversity of thought, integrity and purpose are my guiding values. Along with having worked on major marketing campaigns both domestically and abroad, family, community and culture influence my thinking. I’m a proud native of Chicago currently living in Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and daughter.

Robert Branca

About Dunkin’ Brands (from company website):

Dunkin’ Brands is home to two of the world’s most recognized, beloved franchises:

Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins

Both brands share the same vision: deliver high quality food and beverages quickly, affordably and conveniently in a welcoming environment.

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.

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