1851

After successful careers in corporate America,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-fenn-16456a102?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=finance-and-hr-pros-find-new-path-with-teriyaki-madness-2727474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sean</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donelle-fenn-067814178?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=finance-and-hr-pros-find-new-path-with-teriyaki-madness-2727474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Donelle Fenn</a> decided it was time to create something of their own. Sean, a finance manager for the past decade, and Donelle, an HR and recruiting professional with a knack for helping people find jobs, found the perfect opportunity in franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=finance-and-hr-pros-find-new-path-with-teriyaki-madness-2727474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Teriyaki Madness</a>, the Seattle-style teriyaki franchise with over 150 locations across the country.“It was a no-brainer,” said Donelle. “You don’t have to be a foodie. I’ve worked in food, but I’m not a chef. Our passion is our community and being involved and doing something that will build wealth for the future. The community aspect of the brand, where everyone supports each other, really stood out to us.”The couple is excited about the growth potential of Teriyaki Madness and plans to open multiple locations within their market area. Their ultimate goal is to become deeply involved in their community, fostering local connections and contributing to the area's economic development.&nbsp;Sean and Donelle Fenn took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Sean Fenn:&nbsp;I’ve been a finance manager over the last 10 years; my wife is in HR and recruiting. I was planning on going the route of CFO, but we decided on a different path. We wanted to set ourselves up for the future and do something that was ours.Donelle Fenn:&nbsp;I started going to school for business administration and found recruiting. I felt it was a good fit because I was able to help people find jobs, which was super rewarding. I also helped my sister open her own business a while back, and I really enjoyed that experience. I love the idea of small business and owning your own business.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Sean: We both have some food and small business background, so we’re pretty well-rounded, but we’ve never done this from scratch on this large of a scale. We thought the best way to do that would be to learn from experts in the industry so we can avoid the mistakes others have made.Donelle: I was in outside sales for a large food distributor and saw the challenges of being a mom-and-pop restaurant. You don't have the buying power to compete with the juggernauts. The franchise route was attractive because you are branded and all over the country, but you are still able to run the business yourself.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Donelle:&nbsp;It really seemed like a good fit for our market. It was a no-brainer. You don’t have to be a foodie. I’ve worked in food, but I’m not a chef. Our passion is our community and being involved and doing something that is going to build wealth for the future. The community aspect of the brand, where everyone supports each other, really stood out to us.Sean: The margins of the business were the first thing that got my attention, better than most other franchises I was looking at. But also the community — I talked to a few franchisees of other brands who were negative. This was the only brand where all the franchisees were positive. Everyone was aligned with the vision and culture of TMAD. They saw the success route and the way to get there.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Sean:&nbsp;The goal is to open one and then push for an additional three within the same market area.1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Donelle:&nbsp;The area is really growing here — we have a lot of population growth.Sean:&nbsp;We really just want to be heavily involved in our community. The goal is to grow with that community.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Sean: The piece that sold me on our franchise was reaching out. Don’t wait for the franchisor to set up the calls. You have the FDD [franchise disclosure document], you have contact information, so start reaching out. That is what made me comfortable. I reached out to as many people as I could.ABOUT TERIYAKI MADNESSTeriyaki Madness is making big moves. Named the #1 Fastest-Growing Big Restaurant Chain in the U.S. by Restaurant Business, TMAD’s secret sauce lies in creating value for franchisees, guests and employees alike. More than 150 shops across three countries deliver big, heaping bowls of fresh, healthy, natural ingredients to their communities, creating a cult-like following with customers, employment opportunities for neighborhoods, and profitable margins for the franchisees. Backed by leading-edge technology including delivery and loyalty innovations and an all-star executive team, Teriyaki Madness’ focus is on providing profitable opportunities for our franchisees by providing delicious, healthy food to communities. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=finance-and-hr-pros-find-new-path-with-teriyaki-madness-2727474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">franchise.teriyakimadness.com</a> for single and multi-unit opportunities.

Sean and Donelle Fenn Open Teriyaki Madness Franchise in Boise

1851 Franchise

Sean and Donelle Fenn were well on their way to the top of the corporate ladder when they decided it was time to invest in themselves by franchising with Teriyaki Madness in Boise, Idaho.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Finance and HR Pros Find New Path with Teriyaki Madness 

finance-and-hr-pros-find-new-path-with-teriyaki-madness

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Franchisee Spotlight with Armando Cordova and Jorge Molina with Crust Pizza Co. Logo

Texas-Sized Ambition: How a Shared Dream Turned Into Three Crust Pizza Co. Locations

crust-pizza-co-armando-cordova-jorge-molina-georgetown-launch

Health Care Professional in the Non-Profit Space Brings TruBlue to North Pittsburgh

health-care-professional-in-the-non-profit-space-brings-trublue-to-north-pittsburgh

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

Finance and HR Pros Find New Path with Teriyaki Madness

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS