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2022’s Top Franchise Influencers: 15–1

Once again, 1851 Franchise and SeoSamba have teamed up to find the most influential influencers in the franchise world.

By Ben Warren1851 Franchise Managing Editor
Updated 10:10AM • 03/01/22

Franchising is a big world, and it’s only getting bigger. Still, it’s a community, and a fairly close-knit community at that. Franchisors and franchisees across brands are constantly kept abreast of what their colleagues and competitors are up to, eager to implement best practices and leverage the industry’s best ideas. 

That’s why it’s essential for everyone in the industry to know who’s who. Whether you are 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 success.

To that end, 1851 Franchise has teamed up with SeoSamba to bring you a list of the most influential people in franchising. 

Publishing throughout the month of February, this list is not a ranking, but a collection of 175 franchise industry professionals we think you should know. To help you connect, we’ve provided links to each professional’s LinkedIn page where available. So read on, and get busy building your network!

Taylor Lamont

LinkedIn Bio:

IMAGE Studios® is a franchise/real estate company for investors. IMAGE sells licenses to build entrepreneur incubators of high-end business suites that are leased to industry professionals. IMAGE is registered to franchise in 45 states with 165 locations in development nationwide. In 2021, IMAGE Ranked #160 in the top 500 franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine, ranked top 100 Franchises by Franchise Dictionary, and made the 2021 Franchise Registry.

Our core values of creativity, freedom, and success are the driving force that empowers us collectively and embodies all that we do as industry professionals. We strive to improve the communities we live in with the creation, support, and growth of small independent business owners.

Our concept is simple: we provide an incredible space and atmosphere; our professionals bring passion, talent, and clientele. Together, we create an intoxicating formula for success.

Thomas Flaherty

LinkedIn Bio:

Specialties: Domestic and International Traditional and Non-Traditional Franchising, Real Estate, Development, Franchise Sales, Franchise Administration, Legal, Board Work and Executive Management

Tim Butters

LinkedIn Bio:

City Cave Float & Wellness Centre is driven by increasing longevity in our community. Adding quality years back to your life. Through a tailored health journey to suit a path for total well-being. City Cave provides a unique approach to wellness, combining holistic and clinical services to achieve one’s optimal health.

I'm currently working on my new venture, City Cave Floatation Centre. Of all the other businesses I have been a part of, this is my absolute favourite so far. The health and wellness industry is full of amazing and positive people, and I feel very lucky to be a part of it.

City Cave is my first franchisable business model and I cannot wait to bring more like-minded people on board to help us grow the brand.

Tim Courtney

LinkedIn Bio:

Responsible for domestic and international growth of the PuroClean system. The role includes use of single-unit and master franchise agreements; as well as area development and area representative agreements to achieve results. As the head of the sales team, I create lead generation opportunities; approve territories and assists in closing sales and successfully transitioning franchisees to the operations support teams. This role has critical impact to overall company revenue and profitability.

Tom Gordon

LinkedIn Bio:

Providing personal and tailored support for franchisees in a rapidly-growing system, co-founder and Slim Chickens CEO, Tom Gordon, is the driving leader behind the brand’s goal to have a 600-unit footprint by 2025, and unlike many brands that release large growth numbers, Gordon is leading the team in a manner that makes this goal more attainable with each passing month. Gordon & co-founder Greg Smart concocted the idea for the fast-casual chicken concept in Greg Smart’s garage, focusing not on the cost of the food but the quality.

Focusing solely on chicken, Slim Chickens has seen accelerated growth backed by a commitment to serve traditional Southern hospitality within its communities, while offering the convenience and affordability of fast casual. 

By developing successful, multi-unit franchisees within the system who are passionate about Slim Chickens, and specializing particularly in aiding them with top-notch site selection, and delivering unparalleled franchise business support by hiring a highly qualified executive team with tailored expertise, Gordon has been able to build the foundation for a great brand with a leadership style that is one to be watched.

Tom Scarda

LinkedIn Bio:

  • Are you aware that in the United States, there are more than 4,000 franchise concepts in 90 industries, and 89 have nothing to do with fast food? 
  • Did you know that every time a franchise opens, it creates an average of 10 jobs directly and 10 indirectly? 
  • 1 out of every 7 businesses in the US is a franchise?

Do you feel called to serve and have a burning desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others, but you feel stuck? Do you want to build a respectable career and do a great job for your boss, but you're driven by something so much more meaningful? 

Do you truly believe that there is a bigger PURPOSE for you in your career - more than just paying bills? Something much bigger than just hitting that next rung on the corporate ladder and making lots of money?

Is your definition of success different than most? 

  • Do you want to be remembered by the person you were during your lifetime, rather than the things you've accumulated? 
  • Are you fueled by faith in your work but struggle at times with your company's strategies because they aren't in alignment with your personal values and beliefs?

If any of this resonates with you, I want to say welcome home. 

As Your Personal Franchise Coach, allow me to give you the training and support you need to help you create the purpose-driven business and the life of your dreams. 

I have a crazy belief when it comes to business...

I'm persuaded that your potential franchise business is really an assignment from God....that assignment is to help you grow as a person by facing your fears, and in the process, discover the true purpose of your life. A business is a vehicle to get you what you need in life to serve others - not build someone else's dream.

I believe the God-given purpose of our lives is for us to LOVE, SERVE, and GROW... and there's never been a more powerful vehicle than Franchise ownership to help you live out that purpose. 

Those of us that hold this belief call ourselves 'Legacy Leaders.' We are creating a movement inside Franchising that's never been seen before. 

Tom Spadea

LinkedIn Bio:

Tom Spadea spent more than 15 years in corporate and entrepreneurial positions before completing law school at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 2010. His undergraduate degree is in finance from Marquette University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Tom is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a non-legal designation earned from the International Franchise Association. Tom and his firm have consistently been ranked at or near the top of all major industry lists and publications, winning multiple awards and recognition year after year as elite franchise lawyers. Tom co-founded Spadea Lignana in 2011 with his best friend from high school Josh Lignana to focus on helping entrepreneurs build generational wealth through franchising.

Tom's journey in the franchising world began in the early 2000's as a Franchise and Business Broker. He acted as an adviser to clients looking to transition into the ownership of a franchise or the purchase or sale of an existing small business. Tom handled dozens of transactions every year, ranging from listing businesses for sale to recruiting franchise buyers. It was while Tom was a broker that he decided to pursue his legal education. Balancing law school and a young family, Tom also managed to hold senior executive positions for multiple national franchise concepts throughout law school including a 100+ unit fast casual restaurant chain; a franchised chain of over 400 supplemental education centers; and a 500-unit retail chain of franchised frozen dessert restaurants. 

Tom is perhaps the only franchise lawyer that can say he paid for law school at night by selling franchises during the day. This intimate understanding of the franchise industry has enabled Tom to build his legal practice around the true needs of entrepreneurs in franchising. Spadea Lignana today represents over 300 franchisors nationally ranging from emerging concepts just entering the franchise game to nationally recognized brands.

Tony Lutfi

About Tony Lufti (from Restaurant Leadership Conference):

Tony Lutfi is a 40-year industry veteran having worked every position moving up the corporate ladder to eventually start his own franchise company in the early ‘90s. As the founder of the MARLU Investment Group, he grew the enterprise to 224 franchised businesses in 11 states before selling a part of the businesses to his children and nephew who he continues to mentor.  They desire to grow the organization even further to create more opportunities for the greatest and most important asset, “Our Employees.”  For more than 20 years, his company has been dedicated to a guiding principle of promoting from within.  This allows for a consistent culture of “Respect and Honesty” which will continue to be the main attributes Marlu seeks in its leaders as they continue their expansion.  Currently, Tony Lutfi owns Maritime Management Company providing administrative and accounting services to companies owned and operated by fellow franchisees and family.

Troy Hooper

LinkedIn Bio:

My goal every day is to truly connect with those who look to me for leadership and to deliver on assisting them in exceeding their expectations. Through this example, I hope to inspire those around me to do the same.

My primary guiding principle is to ensure that my decisions consider and balance the needs of the team, the guest, and the financial requirements of the business. 

Professional Accomplishments Include:

• Consistently providing superior fiscal results in gross revenue and net profits

• Platinum Clubs of America 5 Star Rating achievement

• AAA rating increase to 4 Diamond

• Hilton "Resort" labeling achievement

• New outlet conceptualization, design, build-out, and operations development

• Simultaneous multiple outlet management including; five-star fine dining, Farm to Fork dining, casual dining, QSR outlets, members-only venues, large and multiple simultaneous banquet management, and wine pairing marquee dinners.

• Successful membership drive implementation

• Whole property remodel while remaining fully operational

• Seasonal employee hiring, training, and management

• Multiple course food and beverage service service during a live television broadcast.

• Caribbean based operations management: Netherlands Antilles and the Bahamas

On a personal note:

I am a fish out of water. I am a Master Dive Instructor, 100 ton USCG Captain, and life long water baby. While on or under the water I am happiest when photographing the wonders of "Innerspace".

Warren Lewis

About Warren Lewis (from Company Website):

Warren Lee Lewis serves as co-chair of Akerman’s Franchise and Licensing Sector Team, a highly experienced group handling U.S. and international franchising, licensing, dealership and trademark counseling, registration and litigation matters for franchisors, licensors, subfranchisors, dealers and other business clients.

In the field of franchising, Warren has authored books, studies, articles and regulatory comments, frequently speaks at U.S. and international franchise conferences, and has testified before Congress. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. House of Representatives have cited his studies and regulatory comments.

Numerous industry publications, including International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Times and Super Lawyers have recognized Warren for his franchising experience.

Wes Barefoot

LinkedIn Bio:

I help people take control of their lives and create Freedom for themselves through business ownership.

As a Professional Franchise Consultant, I help the people I work with understanding franchising and determine if it might be a good fit for them. If it is, then I take them through a proven, and methodical process to develop a custom model, tailored to them based on their background, skill-sets, financial and lifestyle goals, that we then use to match them up with a franchise opportunity that's perfect for them!

My services are free for the people I work with, and I've been able to help many people get into business for themselves, or add to their portfolio of businesses through franchising. I work with hundreds of the top franchise brands across virtually every industry. I only introduce the people I work franchise companies that have been vetted, and that I feel confident are the type of business that will allow them to achieve their goals.

Xavier Royaux

Nick Powills

LinkedIn Bio:

Nick Powills is CEO of Mainland, a content marketing technology company that includes No Limit Agency* (www.nolimitagency.com); 1851 Franchise (www.1851franchise.com); and ESTATENVY (www.estatenvy.com). 

Mainland was established as the next step of our business for a few reasons. First, because we wanted to clearly define our why and our vision – to lead the reinvention of content marketing. Second, NLA is in the middle of the word Mainland, which shows our path from No Limit Agency. Third, Mainland is where we research, create insights and develop your brand strategy; No Limit Agency is where we create the design, digital development and content; and the platforms are the active newsroom for your brand, where we tie everything together.

Nick is also the author of Sticks & Stones (www.stickstonesoar.com), an Inc. Magazine published book. He frequently keynotes conferences with a speech focused on leveraging your past pains to fuel a productive and choice-driven future. 

Prior to starting No Limit at the age of 27, Nick spent four years working at a franchise PR agency where he mastered the art of building rapport with media outlets and creating newsworthy pitches for earned media placements. Prior to jumping into PR, Nick worked as a writer at the Northwest Herald, a daily newspaper in Chicago; started Lumino, an online music magazine; and had internships at Rolling Stone and Details Magazine. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Drake University in Iowa.

Specialties: Public Relations, Consumer Public Relations, Business Public Relations, Franchise PR, Consumer Social Media, Franchise Social Media, Public Relations; Franchising, Marketing; Social Media and Social Networking, Content Marketing

Michel Leconte

LinkedIn Bio:

SeoSamba help franchises, web store owners and enterprises build, manage, market and optimize websites for top search engine performance.

SeoSamba hybrid open source marketing framework is built around its Marketing Operating System and SeoToaster CRM Ultimate. 

SeoSamba MOS lets you manage SEO, social networking and online marketing across any number of websites through a single cloud-based interface, while our open source front-end SeoToaster let you build, manage and market easily corporate, directories and ecommerce websites, while automating sales through its built-in CRM.

SeoSamba can also be private-label by agencies and solution providers.

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

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