Established Franchise Leaders Join Forces to Create Advisory Group

Execs are helping emerging franchisors and private equity firms discover expedited growth paths.

SPONSOREDUpdated 12:12PM • 06/13/16

Following successful careers leading some of the industry’s most recognized brands such as Subway, Domino’s Pizza, Service Master, Dunkin’ Brands, Service Brands International, Valpak, UPS Stores and FranConnect, five of franchising’s most innovative thought leaders decided to come together and do something more – leverage their knowledge of the industry to help private equity firms uncover great investment opportunities in franchising while providing franchisors with the strategy and confidence needed to effectively make the best decisions for their organizations.

With that vision in mind, Joe Bourdow, Tom Coba, Stuart Mathis, David McKinnon, and Amit Pamecha launched Premier Franchise Advisors; an advisory firm dedicated to working with senior executives to help them solve their most complex business and acquisition problems.

“The idea for Premier Franchise Advisors was born out of the notion that collectively we could make more of an impact on a franchise brand’s trajectory rather than working individually,” said Pamecha. “Franchisors and private equity firms need to understand that they don’t have to go at it alone. Our unmatched leadership experience can provide them with valuable insight into marketplace dynamics, future trends, and funding options, all while deepening relationships and developing new ones to facilitate growth.”

Premier Franchise Advisors works primarily with private equity firms that are looking to invest or have invested over $10 million into a franchise brand. Support for private equity groups includes strategic counsel based on long-term projections for development, due diligence to uncover gaps and opportunities regarding operations and franchisee relationships, and the restructuring of systems facing growth challenges including interim leadership assignments.

On behalf of mature and emerging franchise brands, Premier Franchise Advisors supports their growth as board members and strategic advisors to the management team. By leveraging the resources, experience and deep relationships Premier Franchise Advisors has forged over the years, the firm is partnering with new and existing franchisors to provide guidance related to development, IT strategy, training, operations, and building long-term franchisee relationships. Additionally, Premier Franchise Advisors partners with franchisors that are seeking to raise less than $10 million by providing tactical expertise on how to best pursue a capital injection from private equity. Furthermore, the partners at Premier Franchise Advisors will analyze the potential for their own financial investment in certain brands where appropriate.

"Our team is very excited to be working together," said Bourdow. Our leadership experience and deep relationships across franchising are unparalleled in the industry. We look to leverage these assets to assist franchise brands and private equity investors with acquisitions, strategy, management and growth."

Prior to his work with Premier Franchise Advisors, Joe Bourdow served as president of Valpak Direct Marketing Systems for 13 years until his retirement after a 32-year association with the company. Bourdow also served as executive vice president of Valpak’s parent company, Cox Target Media. He is actively involved in the International Franchise Association and continues to hold positions on advisory boards across the franchise industry.

Tom Coba has previously served as chief operating officer of Subway, vice president of franchising and business development for Dunkin’ Brands, and most recently as president of the Franchise Services Group in the ServiceMaster family of brands, leading five of its brands. Coba is active across franchising and works closely with a number of brands in an advisory role while remaining involved with the International Franchise Association.

Stuart Mathis is a recognized leader in franchise management having served most recently as president and CEO of Quiznos and president of the UPS Stores. In addition, he has held various leadership positions with Domino’s Pizza and currently serves on the board of directors for the International Franchise Association.

David McKinnon is the past chairman and co-founder of Service Brands International and the past CEO and co-chairman of PuroClean International. He currently serves as a senior advisor to the Board of The Dwyer Group, the company he and his partners sold Service Brands International to in 2015. Additionally, McKinnon is also chairman of TriniD Enterprises. In November of 2013, he was inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame along with Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs and Ben & Jerry. McKinnon has also provided a significant endowment to the International Franchise Association’s Educational Foundation for the funding of its “NextGen Franchising” – a worldwide program that supports young entrepreneurs.

Amit Pamecha is the past CEO and founder of FranConnect, the world’s largest software technology firm serving over 600 franchise brands. As part of FranConnect, Pamecha had the unique opportunity to personally work with over 400 franchise brands and observe closely what makes them successful. He is also a serial entrepreneur, investor, founder and managing partner at AMVA Partners – an investment firm focused on healthcare and franchise ventures. Pamecha serves on the Supplier Board of the International Franchise Association and is an advisory board member of several franchise brands.

Established Franchise Leaders Join Forces to Create Advisory Group

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