Finance and HR Pros Find New Path with Teriyaki Madness

After successful careers in corporate America, Sean and Donelle Fenn 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 Teriyaki Madness, 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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The area is really growing here — we have a lot of population growth.

Sean: 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 MADNESS

Teriyaki 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 franchise.teriyakimadness.com for single and multi-unit opportunities.