site_logo
bannerPeople Spotlight

Top Franchise Influencers: 70–61

After reviewing more than 100 nominations, 1851 Franchise and SeoSamba have broken down our list of franchise influencers you should know.

By Nick Powills1851 Franchise Publisher
1:13PM • 02/18/21

Franchising is tough. Good thing there are so many professionals who have been fighting the good franchise fight to figure out the best practices for franchisors and ‘zees in every industry.

Whether buying a franchise, franchising your business, growing your franchise, or looking for general information on franchising, tapping into the franchise world’s thriving community is vital to your journey. So, with the help of SeoSamba we’ve curated a list of the most influential people in franchising.

No, these are not rankings, simply our collection of 100 influencers you should know, and frankly, who you should be connected to (good thing we’ve provided their LinkedIn links).

Throughout February, we will release the entire list so you can get busy getting connected.

Suzie McCafferty

BRINGING FRANCHISING & YOUR BUSINESS TOGETHER.

 

I have a proven track record within business franchising which developed from successfully franchising my own retail business, growing the company to more than 70 franchisees, across six countries within a seven-year period, to managing, at executive board level, corporate franchise organizations with network turnovers in excess of £30m.

 

My experience of building, developing and managing successful UK and international franchise operations over the last 19 years has earned me widespread recognition, including a highly acclaimed finalist place in the National Business Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2006 and 2011.

 

I am currently the Chairperson for the British Franchise Association's Scottish Forum. My company are proud sponsors of the British Franchise Association's (BFA) Scottish Franchise Week & Northern Franchise Breakfast and I am a judge at this year's franchisee of the year awards.

 

I am an affiliate member of the BFA and an active member of the UK & international franchise communities. I am a business mentor for the Chamber of Commerce and business growth coach for the Growth Accelerator Programme.

Previous positions include chairperson of the Scottish Franchise Forum, part of the British Franchise Association (BFA) in 2009 and 2010, committee member of the BFA's sales & marketing committee.

 

With a comprehensive professional background and an impressive client base, Platinum Wave Ltd is a franchise and business growth specialist which assists and advises businesses across a broad industry spectrum from SMEs to large corporations.

Mark Mele

Leadership experience building and guiding franchise brands. Mele has achieved the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE) through the International Franchise Association.

 

An accomplished corporate franchise sales and development strategist, his vision and expertise in business performance have driven notable franchise brands such as Century 21 Real Estate Corporation, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, Retro Fitness, Kumon North America and Huntington Learning Centers.

 

Mele has achieved exciting company turnarounds and is recognized for his success in growing franchise brands. His strategic approach to expanding a franchise brand is reflected in his work as Vice President of Franchise Development of Kumon North America, Inc., where his leadership resulted in the opening of over 500 new franchised Kumon learning centers in 4 years.

 

In addition to Mark Mele’s exceptional track record in franchise development, he is also known for his ability to create and implement positive change in the areas of franchise operations and franchisee support. His franchise achievements have been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, as well as other business media. Mele is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and is actively involved in an advisory capacity with start-up franchise companies.

Aziz Hashim

Aziz Hashim, Founder and Managing Partner of NRD Capital, is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts in franchising.

 

Founded in 2014, NRD Capital is a private equity firm headquartered in Atlanta. It is the first business fund both sponsored and managed by a former multi-unit franchisee, occupying a unique niche in franchise equity investments.

 

NRD Capital invests in companies and franchisors that offer compelling unit-level economics, as well as in technologies that improve the profitability of operators. Its portfolio includes iconic brands like Ruby Tuesday and Frisch’s Big Boy, as well as fast-growing concepts like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and The Captain’s Boil. In the technology industry, NRD has invested in leading workforce and artificial intelligence platforms such as Harri, 1Huddle, Nextforce, Valyant AI and others. The firm boasts more than 75 years of collective operational and financial experience, and the corresponding ability to underwrite brands at the unit level as viable business opportunities for families.

Pete Lindsey

I help franchisors with optimizing their development process, development reporting, website optimization, and lead generation. I have driven teams that have exceeded over 1,400 license awards. The focus is responsible growth for the long run by attracting the right franchisees to your system. Franchise Drivers Inc. Growth with Integrity.

Mary Kennedy Thompson

Chief Operating Officer of Franchise Brands, Neighborly®

 

As chief operating officer (COO), Mary oversees the ongoing business operations within Neighborly. Working hand-in-hand with 13 brand presidents, she leads the execution of strategies. Prior to her appointment as COO, Mary served as executive vice-president of Neighborly and president of Mr. Rooter® for nine years.

 

Former United States Marine & Successful Franchise Owner

 

Mary served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics officer. She began franchising 25 years ago as a multi-unit franchisee at Cookies by Design. As a franchisee, Mary’s locations led the company in market penetration and sales, earning numerous top performer awards. After successfully selling her franchises, Mary joined the corporate headquarters to build their field support program, eventually leading the brand as its president.

 

Under Mary's leadership, Mr. Rooter® was included in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500, Franchise Business Review's Franchisee Satisfaction Award, PHC News Top 100 Contractors and USA Today's Top 50 Franchises for Veterans. As president of Mr. Rooter®, U.S. Business Review selected Mary as one of its Editor's Choice Executives of the Year.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) awarded Mary the Bonny Levine Award, IFA’s highest award for women who have made an impact on franchising and the Crystal Compass award for extraordinary leadership in franchising. A certified franchise executive, Mary serves as a trustee for the IFA’s Educational Foundation.

 

Mary graduated from the University of Texas in 1984 with a bachelor's degree. In 2002, she completed the mini MBA program in franchise management from the University of St. Thomas College of Business.

Barbara Moran-Goodrich

Barb is CEO and Co-founded of Moran Family of Brands. With over 130 franchise Brands; Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Car Care, Alta Mere Automotive Outfitters and Smartview Window Solutions in 24 states and now expanding internationally.

 

Barb currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the IFA – International Franchise Association, as well as a previous term from 2006 through February 2012. She has also been an active member of several committees, focusing on franchise relations, franchise mentorship and women’s mentorship. Currently Barbara serves as Chair to a mentorship program, Franship and is past-chair of the Franchise Relations Committee for the IFA. In 2014 Barbara was honored as the recipient of the Bonny LeVine Award by the IFA for her support and mentorship of others.

 

Barb has authored articles on the subject of Developing Positive Relationships with your Franchisees, The Role of Mentoring to Improve the Franchisor-Franchisee Relationship, Succession Planning and Transfer, Developing Goals, Networking and Marketing go Hand in Hand and Franchisee Award Programs that Motivate. She has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Business, Franchise Times, Womenentreprenuer.com, Window Film Magazine, Franchise Update and Gears Magazine and has been a contributor on Fox Business Network, America’s Nightly Scoreboard and MSNBC, Closing Bell.

 

Specialties: • Setting Corporate Vision & Strategic/Operational Planning• Reorganization & Turnaround Management• Partnerships• Acquisitions/Assimilation• Legal Analysis & Strategic Planning• Development of Operational & Structural Processes• Negotiating Franchise Contracts• Cost Reduction/Containment & Profit Optimization• National Market Penetration & Pricing Strategies• Ensuring Compliance Optimization within System • Forecasting & Budgeting (Operating & Capital)

Tony Darden

Scott and Ally Svenson

Xavier Royaux

Shane Evans

 

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

editorial

Young Entrepreneurs in Franchising: 5 Inspiring Success Stories

editorialPlay

2024’s Top Women in Franchising: Edith Wiseman

editorialPlay

2024’s Top Women in Franchising: Shannon Wilburn

editorialPlay

2024’s Top Women in Franchising: Candice Bruder

NEXT ARTICLE