Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Brian Curin — Chief Executive Officer/Chief Marketing Officer, Little Kitchen Academy

Name: Brian Curin
Role: Chief Executive Officer/Chief Marketing Officer
Brand: Little Kitchen Academy
Brand Website: https://littlekitchenacademy.com/

At the intersection of global mission and local relevance, Brian Curin has found his marketing sweet spot. As CEO and CMO of Little Kitchen Academy, Curin is passionate about telling stories that matter — stories that capture the transformational impact the brand has on children and families around the world. For him, franchise marketing is more than a strategy; it’s a platform to empower local business owners while staying deeply aligned with the brand’s purpose.

“What I love most is the ability to tell a meaningful story that resonates across diverse communities while staying true to a brand’s purpose and core values,” Curin said.

His approach to marketing centers on two key outcomes: attracting the right customers and building lasting trust. Whether through digital campaigns, local partnerships or immersive community events, he believes every marketing initiative should support franchise owners in driving results. And when that work is aligned with operational excellence, it becomes a real engine for profitability.

“Our biggest opportunity lies in storytelling — sharing the transformational impact Little Kitchen Academy has on children and families,” Curin said. “As we grow, amplifying authentic stories from our students, parents, instructors and franchise owners will be key to deepening emotional connection and driving awareness.”

Looking to 2025, Curin sees personalization, AI, community building and digital-physical integration as the defining trends. But his boldest prediction pushes beyond tactics. “I believe we’ll see a shift from influencer marketing to ‘impact marketing,’” he said. “Authenticity and purpose will become the new currency.”

Q&A With Brian Curin, Chief Executive Officer/Chief Marketing Officer, Little Kitchen Academy

1851 Franchise: What do you love most about franchise marketing?

Brian Curin: What I love most is the ability to tell a meaningful story that resonates across diverse communities while staying true to a brand’s purpose and core values. Franchise marketing is about empowering local business owners with the tools and voice to make a global brand feel personal and relevant in their own communities.

1851: What do you see as the single most important thing franchise marketing pros can do to impact franchisees’ unit-level economics?

Curin: Drive qualified traffic and build trust. Whether it’s through digital campaigns, local partnerships or community engagement, marketing should directly support franchise owners in attracting and retaining customers. When marketing is aligned with operational excellence, it becomes a powerful lever for profitability.

1851: What do you see as Little Kitchen Academy's largest marketing opportunity?

Curin: Our biggest opportunity lies in storytelling — sharing the transformational impact Little Kitchen Academy has on children and families. As we grow, amplifying authentic stories from our students, parents, instructors and franchise owners will be key to deepening emotional connection and driving awareness.

1851: What are the top marketing trends you see for 2025?

Curin: Hyper-local personalization at scale, AI-powered content creation and optimization, purpose-driven branding that goes beyond product, community-first strategies both online and offline, and seamless integration of digital and in-person experiences.

1851: What is one bold prediction you have for what’s next in marketing?

Curin: I believe we’ll see a shift from influencer marketing to “impact marketing” — where brands partner with individuals and organizations not just for reach, but for shared values and measurable social impact. Authenticity and purpose will become the new currency.

Growing and selling franchises is difficult. No great franchise did it alone. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and see what we can do for you.