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

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore - Disaster Response - 1851 Franchise

When Disaster Strikes, ServiceMaster Restore Moves

servicemaster-restore-disaster-response-carmen-coleman

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

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 Development Website Builder

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

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Finance and HR Pros Find New Path with Teriyaki Madness

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS