Franchise Sales and Marketing
Franchise Sales assures a continual growth for the Franchise system by developing relationships with the franchise consultant community and internet portals, leading to a continued pipeline of candidates.
Areas of mentorship under Franchise Marketing and Sales may be:
- Developing relationships with the franchise broker community leading to a continued pipeline of candidates
- Managing internet portals to help assure a continued pipeline of candidates
- Utilize franchising development software
- Developing an effective franchise development policy
- Supporting Discovery Days and Training activities
Mentors:
Jania Bailey, CFE, President
FranNet Franchising, LLC
jbailey@frannet.com
Jania Bailey is the President and COO of FranNet. Bailey has more than 25 years of experience in the banking and franchise industries. She worked in several different managerial capacities with Fantastic Sams International, a hair care franchise, most recently as regional manager in Texas. Before that, she oversaw operational support and development for franchisees in a five state region. In addition, she has a background in banking and finance.
Sean Fitzgerald, EVP of FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT
BrightStar Franchising, LLC
sfitzgerald@brightstarcare.com
Sean Fitzgerald is the EVP of Franchise Development for BrightStar, a medical & non-medical homecare and staffing franchise system with over 250 offices nationwide. He was previously SVP of Development for Quiznos and the National VP of Franchise Development for Wireless Zone, a cellular retail chain that exclusively offers Verizon Wireless products and services. In 2007, Sean joined Wireless Zone to direct the development efforts of the company as it prepared for national expansion and to oversee the franchise development team. In a little over 2 years the company grew from 250 stores to over 450 stores as they expand in the Midwest and South. He has over 16 years of franchise executive experience and has worked with startup franchise concepts to large developed corporations in need of rebranding, giving him a unique insight and perspective in growing, operating and building franchise brands. Prior to Wireless Zone, Sean was COO of a startup women's fitness franchise that grew to over 100 franchisees and 250 locations in 3 years. He was also co-founder and COO of an automotive accessory retail chain out of Cincinnati, OH, which grew to a national franchise and eventual IPO trading on the NASDAQ-QTC. Mr. Fitzgerald is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a B.A. in marketing.
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Ranked #1 “Young Ones To Watch” by 1851 Franchise Magazine in 2012
- Article published or quoted in the following news media: Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NY Times, Franchise Times, Franchising World and Franchise Update Magazine.
- Winner of 2 Franchise Update Conference Star Awards
- Presenter & Speaker at: Franchise Update Conference 2009-2010, 2010 IFA Convention, IFA Finance Conference.
Sam G. Ballas
President and Chief Executive Officer, East Coast Wings & Grill
sgb@eastcoastwings.com
Sam G. Ballas serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of East Coast Wings & Grill. A co—founder of East Coast Wings & Grill, he has lead the brand to 36 consecutive same store sales growth quarters since franchising the brand and has strategically evolved the brand as one of the leaders in the ‘Buffalo Wing’ casual dining space, driving unit level economics as the core philosophy. Coming from a family line of a combined 100 years of casual dine restaurant experience and over 20 years of financial industry, Sam has implemented this experience in evolving the brands ‘Best Practices’.
Sam serves on several committees in the International Franchise Association and is a designated Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives.