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.

The post COO Pushes U.S. Development of Japanese Cream Puff Franchise | Franchise Expertise appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.