Akira Okura

Akira Okura has lived all over the world, moving to new countries for work throughout his career, including Spain, Singapore, the United States and Japan. “I love moving,” he joked.

Okura was appointed as chief operations officer of Beard Papa’s USA in June. The 435-unit Japanese cream puff franchise has locations internationally and in 16 states. The dessert concept gives customers the option to choose a shell, like honey butter or chocolate éclair, and a filling—vanilla, green tea or chocolate.

Beard Papa’s was founded in 1999 in Osaka, Japan. The brand has since grown in popularity, with the Beard Papa mascot having a spot in Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” voiced by John DiMaggio.

Okura previously worked as an executive for Beard Papa’s parent company, Muginoho International, from 2004 to 2011. He started in Japan before being transferred to the U.S. division in Los Angeles.

Most recently, Okura worked for Franchise World Link as the Japanese country manager.

Previously, Okura was a major part of the U.S. introduction of Beard Papa’s in Los Angeles in 2004. He plans to use that experience to further expand the brand nationwide, with the goal of opening 100 stores in three years. So far, the brand has about 40 open.

“First of all, I want to make many stores in big cities,” he said, naming options like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco to add additional stores. “And then be a strong brand name, and then go to new, smaller cities.”

A lot has changed since Okura was last working on franchise development in the United States 12 years ago—even the price of the cream puff. “Our cream puff, when I was here, was like $2. Now, depending on the store, it’s like $3. So, it’s double,” he said. So far, his colleagues are helping him catch up on the last decade-plus of the brand. “We’re adapting and trying to restart this brand.”

The franchise still has franchisees he used to work with, too. “It was great to work with them again,” Okura said.

Beard Papa’s isn’t just a dessert franchise—the brand considers itself an experience.

“We are using natural vanilla bean for our signature. We are baking the puff in the oven for the customer on site. We inject cream into the freshly baked puff in front of the customer,” Okura said. “It’s entertainment, but it’s eating. Eatertainment.”

Executive Ladder

Dog Haus named Michael Montagano, the former chief executive of Kitchen United, as CEO.

Mike Lopez was hired as Tint World’s chief operations officer.

KFC appointed Paul Tuscano as its first chief digital officer.

Subway named Douglas Fry as president of North America, replacing Trevor Haynes. Carrie Walsh was promoted to president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Mike Kehoe to global chief development officer. Cristina Wells was promoted to senior vice president of marketing.

Cousins Maine Lobster hired longtime Wendy’s executive Angela Coppler as its first head of development.

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness hired Ryan Reeves as chief development officer and Dawn Weiss as chief marketing officer.

FirstLight Home Care hired Kristen Duell as its executive vice president of experience and innovation.

Penn Station East Coast Subs hired Diane Matheson as its director of marketing.

Youth Athletes United promoted Annie Spaulding to chief operating officer and Bob Gibson to president of Soccer Stars.

ParkerStark Management, franchisees of Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders and Scooter’s Coffee, announced Kevin Armantrout as president.

Five Star Franchising, parent of Bio-One and 1-800-Textiles, hired Mike Miller as vice president of franchise development.

Smalls Sliders named Greg Swafford as vice president of supply chain.

Modern Restaurant Concepts, parent company of Qdoba and Modern Market Eatery, brought in Prashant Budhale as chief technology officer.

Carrie Walsh

Papa Johns named Patrick Coelho as senior vice president of development.

Metal Supermarkets named Elliott Tepperman as manager of e-commerce.

Craveworthy Brands named Greg Creed as its first advisory board member.

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts announced David Braun as chief development officer.

HomeFront Brands hired Meaghan Price as vice president of marketing, Paul Tucker as vice president of e-commerce and Jason Livingston as vice president of customer experience and analytics.

Josh Burris joined The Vitamin Shoppe as an advisory board member.

Chicken brand PDQ promoted Kep Sweeney to CEO, filling the hole after the departure of co-founder Nick Reader.

Stellar Service Brands, franchisor of Restoration 1, Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain and Softroc, named Courtney Harmon as brand president of Bluefrog and Softroc. Devin Ward was hired as vice president of franchise development and Kyana Shamloo as director of strategic initiatives for Softroc.

Brix Holdings named Luke Mandola Jr. as vice president of franchise sales and development.

American Family Care brought in Randy Johansen as its new CEO after D. Bruce Irwin, founder and CEO, died.

Yogurtland announced David Kahn as senior director of franchise development.

Lynn Edwards

Hounds Town promoted David Martinelli from vice president of marketing to chief relationship officer.

Dutch Bros President Christine Barone will transition to the role CEO after current CEO Joth Ricci announced he will step down. She starts her position in 2024.

Captain D’s announced Jeff Wilson as chief financial officer.

Ford’s Garage hired David Ragosa as its vice president of franchising development.

Jersey Mike’s brought back Paul Brodeur as vice president of franchise development.

The Joint Chiropractic hired Lori Abou Habib as chief marketing officer.

Taziki’s named Robert Brown as vice president of operations and Lynn Edwards as vice president of human resources and people operations.

Panera Brands named Paul Carbone as chief financial officer.

Valvoline named Lori Flees as CEO and president of the company when former CEO Sam Mitchell retires.

Ziebart International promoted Thomas Bowler to director of United States retail operations.

Rachel Rearden will be stepping into the chief experience officer role at skinBe Med Spa.

Scooter’s Coffee appointed Tim Arpin as chief sales officer.

Little Caesars promoted Paula Vissing from chief operating officer to president of global retail. Ed Gleich was promoted from chief innovation officer to president of global services.

WaterWalk appointed Jim Anhut as president and chief development officer.

Empower Brands announced Cory Lyons as brand president of Koala Insulation.

Send promotions and new hire news in franchising to Megan Glenn, mglenn@franchisetimes.com.

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Matt Bryant, owner of a new TruBlue Total House Care franchise in Fort Collins, is hoping to work by the rule of three.

Answer every call by the third ring. Prepare estimates within three days. Start a home improvement project in three weeks.

So far he’s on the right track, even though the company has only been around since March 10th.

Founded in 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the franchisor is one of the fastest growing franchise networks in the country. The company specializes in providing services to elderly homeowners who want to age in place.

While Bryant has earned Senior Safety Specialist certification to help elderly homeowners or those with special needs identify their need for handrails, ramps, and lighting, that’s not the only thing the new franchise is doing.

“One day I hung up a picture. Today (Friday) I’m working on a deck rebuild,” he said. He shared that the decking project was originally intended as repair work, but the homeowner had to do more because of the deteriorating substructure.

Bryant’s franchise spans all of Fort Collins, Severance and Timnath, as well as rural areas north of Wyoming.

There’s another franchise in Greeley that includes Windsor, he said.

Bryant would love to add Loveland and Longmont to his franchise.

It has a crew of four plus one part-time worker. Crew members have various certifications and experience.

“One had a craft business for 42 years. Another had a framing and cutting company,” he said.

Bryant has project management experience in the construction of metal buildings and office buildings. He also worked in the Poudre Valley School District, for a time as the director of transportation.

He acknowledged that there is a lot of competition in the handyman space. “There is also a great need,” he said. TruBlue’s focus is on seniors, but that’s not its only focus. Services for seniors are an important factor in the company’s growth, he said.

Projects are priced based on the estimated number of hours required to complete, plus materials.

The interest so far has been great. His rule of three has worked so far – his bookings are now two weeks later, he said. “Once they are three weeks old, we will add technicians,” he said.

This article was first published by BizWest, an independent news organization, and is published under a license agreement. © 2023 BizWest Media LLC.

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The IFA has recognized well-known franchisees from the Authority Brands portfolio

COLUMBIA, Maryland, March 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Authority Brands, a premier portfolio of home services, announced today that several brands within its system have been recognized as part of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchisees of the Year. The annual IFA Awards recognize dozens of franchise owners and operators across the country who exemplify excellence in community, workforce, diversity and veteran affairs.

“Our franchisees who have been recognized with this prestigious industry award have demonstrated tremendous entrepreneurial ability within their respective brands. They continue to demonstrate their drive to grow while providing superior customer service. We’re proud to amplify their contribution to the teams and communities they serve,” said Heather McLeod, Chief Growth Officer at Authority Brands. “To see valued members of our Authority Brands portfolio honored by the IFA is a testament for our system.

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Authority Brands franchisees recognized as part of the IFA Franchisee of the Year awards include:

• America’s Swimming Pool: Miguel Macias in Reno, Nevada
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing: Lenny Siers in Niceville, Florida
• The Cleaning Authority: Chris and Jen Lanagan in Cedarburg, Madison, and Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Homewatch CareGivers: Bindu Agarwal in Lower Bucks County and Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
• Mister Sparky: Aaron Hagan in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Monster Tree Service: Don Elliott in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Mosquito Squad: Tom and Maryellen Heinemann operate in North New Jersey
• An hour of heating and air conditioning: Richie Drew in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Sponsored by IFA partner Paychex, Franchisee of the Year recognizes leading IFA member brand franchisees whose outstanding achievements and contributions help protect, enhance and promote the franchise business model. Individuals nominated by their parent company are selected for their service to their communities, nurturing a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors to career growth and entrepreneurship, and support for their fellow franchisees.

“Franchisee of the Year represents the very best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the IFA’s highest award for individual franchisees, and local business owners like the franchisees of these Authority Brands exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.”

To learn more about franchise development opportunities within the Authority Brands portfolio, please visit: https://www.authoritybrands.com/franchising/.

About Authority Marks
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands businesses include 15 leading home service franchise brands: America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers , Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. Together, these brands offer home services in more than 2,000 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchisees. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting the growth of individual franchise owners through strong marketing, technology and operational support. For more information see French.

About the International Franchise Association:
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. The IFA works through its Government and Public Policy Relations, Media Relations and Education programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and approximately 790,492 franchised facilities that provide nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, an economic output of US$825.4 billion dollars to the US economy and nearly 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). IFA members are franchises in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that provide marketing, legal, technology, and business development support to the industry.

Contact:
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sguffey@fish-consulting.com

To download multimedia, view the original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eight-authority-brands-owner-operators-honored-at-international-franchise-association-conference-301761842.html

SOURCE Authority Marks, LLC

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Getty

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson on September 26, 2021.

In case you missed it, the New York Jets were one of six NFL franchises that were given “access to self-promote and grow their respective fan bases in the UK,” according to Neil Reynolds of Sky Sports.

The Jets also posted the news on social media on December 15.

“As part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Area initiative, we were awarded the international marketing rights to Great Britain,” says the franchise’s official Twitter account.

Together with Gang Green, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings received exclusive “home access” to Great Britain when the NFL split up various foreign countries as part of its expansion.

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Craig Carton’s bold prediction

Shortly after this groundbreaking story came to light, WFAN radio personality Craig Carton of Carton & Roberts voiced a frightening thought that immediately crossed my mind while reading the UK news.

Listen to the full conversation from Carton & Roberts here.

“There’s a lot of cooking today,” Carton began, “of course the Steph Curry last night, the Travis Hunter stuff and the New York Jets, which are making their very first step in secretly moving the franchise to England.”

Co-host Evan Roberts questioned his partner’s bold claim that only made Carton double up and replied, “What do you think he’s doing?”

Carton explained, “Big surprise, there’s Woody [Johnson] lived the four years when he was ambassador to England, right? So play this through – you’re Woody Johnson, the fan base doesn’t like you, you’re deaf to their needs and wants and emotions, right? … You don’t need the Jets for your bottom line because you make all your money from Johnson & Johnson, right? So the New York Jets as a whole aren’t an important part of your financial empire – it’s an expensive one, it’s a successful one, but when you have the Jets you don’t have the Jets, Jets win, Jets lose – at the end of the day comes your fortune not therefore … So if you are that guy, and you realize from conversations that the NFL owners have had, that have built and built and built, that one day it will continue to be European expansion – it won’t happen tomorrow but one day – the NFL wasn’t hiding from that either, they want a team in London … I think whether we like it or not, it makes more sense [that] they will relocate an existing franchise. “

Roberts suggested the Jaguars instead, but Carton countered that their owner, Shad Khan, claimed he would never move his team out of Jacksonville permanently.

It’s not all bad, however, the popular NYC host explained the silver lining.

“So you take a team that we’re more angry than happy with, and you tell the Jets fans – listen, we’re moving the Jets to England, we’re giving you a brand new [expansion] Team, it doesn’t get worse. The jets haven’t won anything in 50 years, we hate the owner, we share a stadium with the New York Giants, we’re the little brother! We now have a chance, a new franchise – and we keep the naming rights, the New York Jets, by the way – and we’ve got the new stadium up somewhere in the five boroughs and we’re all happy about it. the [original] Jets go to London, they change their name like the Browns when they became the Ravens, and five years later nobody cares about their asses, ”he sketched.

At that point, Roberts (a die-hard Jets fan) actually began to agree with Carton that he may have “sold” him.

Sounds a bit tempting:

• Not a Johnson property.
• A new stadium in Queens.
• And the same Jets name.

Unfortunately, the list would travel to the UK with one of the team’s fan favorites. That may not mean much to some, but for those who believe in rebuilding Joe Douglas, alluring prospects like Zach Wilson, Elijah Moore, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Bryce Hall, and Michael Carter among others would disappear.

And as Roberts later pointed out – knowing the luck of the Jets, Johnson would take the team right to the cusp of the epic turn we have all been waiting for.

“It’s so transparent to me,” stressed Carton, “Woody Johnson would like to change his home address back to London.”

Like I said, it’s a scary thought, but it’s also one that a lot of fans are likely to be thinking.

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“Second Home” Details

Commenting on the deal, Jets President Hymie Elhai said, “International marketing is clearly a tremendous growth opportunity for both the NFL and the Jets. We are excited to bring our players and coaches and their personalities to the UK. Through base programs, unique market activations and strategic partnerships, we look forward to building on our fan base in the UK and look forward to building long-term relationships. “

To be clear, a lot of teams have international houses all over the world, and that’s how everything has developed so far.

The NFL has awarded teams to international home markets. As part of a long-term strategic effort to build their global brands while driving the international growth of NFL fans, the teams had to apply for exclusive marketing rights for areas around the world. Here’s how it collapses: pic.twitter.com/hWXuL72wYG

– Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 15, 2021

Reynolds (of Sky Sports) further stated, “Under the International HMA program, clubs have access to international markets for at least five years, during which time a club has the right to engage in activities in that international market in accordance with what they can do in their domestic HMA. This includes personal and digital marketing, corporate sponsorship sales, fan events and activations, merchandise sales, and co-marketing relationships with other sports and entertainment offerings in the market. “

Right now, that initiative seems like nothing more than an NFL and owners financial opportunity grabbing money, but Carton is making some eerily valid points.

Johnson already has strong ties to London. So would it really shock anyone if they one day left town to become the first UK-based franchise to make NFL history?

Not us, but let me be clear – if it ever did, such a departure would be unforgivable. This loyal fan base definitely deserves better.

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Construction and home contractors haven’t received a standing ovation or coverage of human interest on the news, but labeled “Essential Business” have advanced many such franchises in 2020.

Kelsey Stuart, co-founder and CEO of Bloomin ‘Blinds, said the status was a silver lining in a very chaotic year.

“W.We were lucky enough to be seen as essential, ”said Stuart. “We went through all state and local regulations and in most cases construction or housekeeping services were deemed essential. We had a few operators in San Francisco hit and a few others had a softer schedule, but most of our operators were with the authority of the essential services out there. “

Like almost everyone except grocery stores and pizza, he said March was terrible and April was soft, but business has been buzzing ever since. Customers called Bloomin ‘Blinds, a company that primarily owns, operates and private individuals, either for new window treatments or to fix their broken blinds – a niche that Stuart says is a major setback for the company during recession or turbulent times. Across the board, customers simply had plenty of time to sit and look out the windows.

“Everyone was home, now you have people at home who have time for projects, and now we stare and think we’re making some progress. Plus, all of that unspent disposable income, all of your travel budget, vacations and summer camps – all of the money that is normally spent on summer and vacations is being postponed, ”said Stuart. “There was a lot more disposable income that was used for home improvement.”

At Bloomin ‘Blinds, he said sales had increased 60 percent by 2020, and that January was his biggest month ever. This is part of the beauty of the service category, especially repair, a specialty of the company that sets the brand apart from the rest of the window segment. When people are faced with uncertainty or economic fears, they switch to “repair mode”.

There was also a lot less shopping.

“Even at the height of COVID and all the questions that came with it, people felt very comfortable in their home. When they went out, they felt very uncomfortable. We set up a virtual consultation process, we set everything up, but we found that consumers are letting people into their homes, but less, ”said Stuart. When they got the call, they were usually the only command. “We typically have a 75 percent graduation rate. In COVID it’s almost 90 percent because people don’t shop that much. “

Focused on robust technology tools, marketing, the company was the “non-contractor” compared to the stereotypical butt crack and stretch t-shirt contractor. Little things like a laser measuring device that feeds data into a tablet and an appealing virtual lookbook about what new blinds would look like didn’t hurt either.

“It’s amazing how much people love to see this laser,” said Stuart. “It’s incredibly efficient for us, but people love it, they want you to measure from the back of the house to the front, from here to there.”

Another advantage of being an essential company: Interest in starting a franchise market is growing, as has been seen in recent economic downturns. Bloomin ‘Blinds, a franchise network of 58 owners and 68 territories, has just signed three more home-based franchisees for the low-investment business. The upfront cost is between $ 38,495 and $ 117,425, including a franchise fee of $ 25,000 to $ 48,500. The average gross sales to franchisees in an area in 2019 was $ 227,974.

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