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2022’s Top Franchise Influencers: 45–36

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 7:07AM • 02/23/22

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!

Robert Bruski

LinkedIn Bio:

I move mountains. I make things happen. When I feel like I can't go any further, I dig deeper, try harder, and be more awesome… true story. 

BACK IN THE DAY:

Having studied economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, I quickly learned the value of efficiency and education. I further completed a variety of courses in financial engineering from Columbia University and financial modeling from The CFA Institute.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT:

I took my passion for value investing, strong research skills, and analytical prowess, and applied them to the Canadian financial sector. While mastering fund accounting, risk & valuation, client relationship management, and even system architecture, I was exposed to some of the best mentors and company builders in the industry. This is where I became astoundingly proficient at seeing what makes and keeps a great company.

WHAT'S GOING ON NOW:

I've taken my experience and paired it with an innate sense of creativity and ingenuity, and applied this mix to the wonderful world of entrepreneurship. I've been accelerating progress and redefining industries to breed success across a variety of companies since.

COMPETENCIES:

Growth Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Development, Executive Coaching, Investment Analysis, Statement Analysis, Accounting Conventions, Business Registration, Business Startup, Client Relationship Management, Efficiency Planning, Franchising

MY COMMITMENT:

You'll notice that if you work with me you can count on outstanding performance driven by high-energy, intellectual curiosity, and project ownership, all while striving for relentless high-quality results and first-class relationships.

Robin Gagnon

LinkedIn Bio:

If you are looking for a service based franchise brand built on a strong concept, demonstrated earnings and full training, contact me about We Sell Restaurants. We are a business brokerage firm specializing in restaurants nationwide. Our listing inventory exceeds $200 million across 45 states. Our branded systemic franchise process for buying and selling restaurants capitalizes on the demand for restaurant industry experts. Contact me today.

 Robin Gagnon | 888.814.8226 | [email protected] | www.wesellrestaurants.com 

As a franchisor, you may need my services and a checkup on your franchise resale process if.... 

  • Your Development Team is Handling Resales
  • Your Deals are Negotiated Internally
  • Opinions of Value are offered by the Brand
  • Your Franchisees up for Renewal are Closing instead of transferring
  • Resale Prices are Low
  • You have Limited Resale Candidates or they Don't Qualify 
  • You have no Internal Dedicated Resources to Transfers 

As the nation’s most successful Restaurant Broker and co-founder of We Sell Restaurants, I have a database of 100,000 qualified buyers looking for restaurant resales. We sell more restaurants than anyone else. PERIOD. 

Selling a restaurant is a complicated process with many moving parts including attorneys, franchisors, landlords and lenders. We have developed the expertise, the tools, the lending connections and unmatched technology to shorten the sales cycle and bring more buyers to the table. 

If you are ready to address your restaurant resale strategy or just want some tips to avoid legal pitfalls, I would ask you to contact me today and let’s have a quick 5 – 10 minute call and see if I can help. 

Ron Silberstein

LinkedIn Bio:

Professional experience includes managing partner of a high-growth CPA firm that specialized in audits of public companies and franchise companies, and 4 1/2 years as CFO and Chief Administrative Officer of a group of companies with a public parent. The group included a large franchisor, manufacturing companies, wholesale distributors, and a dot com - e-commerce company. 

I am a Certified Franchise Executive and a CPA. Experienced and proactive. I am a co-founder and principal of Bud's Place Franchising, LLC - a franchisor of social cannabis consumption lounges that provide high quality food and beverage, entertainment, and accessories in an upscale atmosphere - High.Quality.Fun. Am also working with a select group of clients that need a consultant that has expertise in operations and/or finance/accounting/auditing. 

Recent successes include helping a client settle a $450,000 state sales tax obligation for $30,000, as well as initiating discussions with the client's lender and successfully getting the bank to increase the client's line of credit from $350,000 to $700,000 - with a reduced interest rate. Also helped reduce payables from $1,100,000 to $250,000 and improve client's credit rating. Assisted another client with putting together a team of highly qualified outside professionals, as well as helping negotiate a Master Franchise Agreement on far better terms than had originally been presented. Saved a client $12,000+ per year for four years by helping them get a better deal from their payroll service.

I have regularly been named one of the top Franchise Experts to Follow on Twitter.

Roxane Harris

LinkedIn Bio:

Motivated business development and management executive with 30+ years of proven leadership and results expertise. Lead the U.S. Retail Franchise organization(48 FTE) comprised of 3 Regional Sales Directors, 20 Franchise Consultants, 1,200 franchise owners and 2,900 locations(including international); plus an Operations Director, Operations Support team and Franchise Practice Management team. Key strengths include identification of top talent, management of $200m P & L,; strategic direction for programs and processes, cross functional partnership and a strong track record in exceeding business revenue growth and EBITDA targets.

Ryan Tuchman

LinkedIn Bio:

Industry innovator and retail disrupter. Experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the technology - advertising - sports and franchising industries.

Sabrina Wall

LinkedIn Bio:

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the professional training & coaching industry. Skilled in Sales, Management, Business Development, Organizational Development, and Training. Strong business development professional graduated from University of Central Florida. 

Sandra Carrillo

LinkedIn Bio:

CEO of GNF WORLDWIDE, #1 franchise consultancy and internationalization firm. Sandra has over 20 years of experience managing consumer & personal care brands in Latin America & Europe, as well as business consultancy with special focus on Strategic Planning and Process Management. 

An Industrial Engineer with a Master in Digital Business from ESIC (Spain), Sandra leads an international team that develops successful franchise systems around the world.

Scott Gittrich

LinkedIn Bio:

My unwavering affection for pizza became a full-fledged love affair when I decided to drop out of college to focus on a career in restaurants after getting hooked at Domino’s after only two weeks on the job. The gamble paid off as I worked my way up through the company’s system eventually managing all operations for an ass kicking franchisee in Charlotte, NC. In 1991 I created a pizza concept called Toppers Pizza, which delivers unique, fresh food that’s made-from-scratch and rivals anything available. 

Pizza is the best food in the world, there’s nothing that’s as celebratory and fun as pizza. It brings people together like no other product on earth. Next to family and friends and stars on a dark night, I say give me a pizza.

Scott and Ally Svenson

About Mod Pizza (from company website):

When Scott and Ally Svenson founded MOD Pizza in 2008, they knew the last thing the world needed was another pizza place. In their hometown of Seattle, they imagined a new way for people to enjoy pizza, by bringing speed, individual style and value to one of America’s favorite foods. But the real secret sauce wouldn’t be the product, it would be the people who serve our communities — the MOD Squad. By taking care of employees, they would take care of the customers, and the business would take care of itself. It’s how we’ve built a culture of opportunity, belonging and community for the past 13 years, and it’s catching on wholeheartedly.

Scott Taylor

LinkedIn Bio:

Successful track record with over 25 years senior management experience from publicly traded, private equity and privately held entrepreneurial companies. I am a builder and have put together strong executive teams that have achieved solid growth and performance with each company.

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

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