In Memoriam: Karen Spencer

 

On April 12, Karen Spencer, a loyal and committed IFA member, friend, mentor and inspiration to so many in the franchise community, passed away following a seven-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer. Karen proudly served on the IFA Educational Foundation, Supplier Forum Advisory Board, Membership Committee, Women’s Franchise Committee, Convention Committee and in numerous other areas, constantly asking her IFA friends, “What can I do to help?” She was a relentless advocate and ambassador for IFA and was recognized consistently for recruiting companies and individuals to join the association.

 

We will miss her immensely but know that all our lives are better because of her. Karen’s passion was to raise money for Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry, which was very close to her heart. To honor Karen, please donate to this amazing effort by visiting her memorial page below and clicking the No Kid Hungry logo.

 

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People on the Move

 

Roy Rogers Restaurants has hired Jeremy Biser as Executive Vice President. Biser joins Roy Rogers from Dunkin’ Brands, where he most recently was Vice President of International Operating Systems, Learning, Food Safety and Equipment. Based at Roy Rogers company headquarters in Frederick, Md., Biser will report to Co-President Jim Plamondon and oversee all aspects of the Roy Rogers brand.

 

 

Kolache Factory has promoted Dawn Nielsen to Chief Operating Officer. The daughter of Kolache Factory co-founders John and Jerri Banks, Nielsen was previously Vice President. She started out helping her parents sweep floors at the first Kolache Factory when she was nine years old.

 

 

John Merkin has joined Edible International as Chief Operating Officer. He will oversee all franchise operations and the company’s supply chain around the globe. Merkin was formerly COO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and worked for 20 years at InterContinental Hotels Group.

 

 

Nancy Brown has joined Office Evolution as Director of Brand Expansion. She previously worked for 15 years at BusinesSuites, an executive suites provider.

 

 

DENTCO has promoted Trent Limban to the role of New Business Developer. He was previously Assistant Director of Quality Services.

 

 

Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen multi-unit franchisee GPS Hospitality has appointed Chris Phillips as Chief Strategy Officer. In the newly created position, Phillips will build on his previous work as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning by leading the creation of GPS Hospitality’s New Leadership Development Platform.

 

 

News

 

Subway has taken efforts to reduce waste across its 26,000 U.S. restaurants, including implementing a bag-optional policy, using recycled materials for many of its products and stopping the use of pre-portioned servings in paper trays, which is estimated to eliminate 5.6 million pounds of packaging.

 

 

Monster Tree Service is reporting 28 new franchise agreements since the start of 2018, including with the following franchisees:

• Marcus Roach (Austin, Texas)

• Richard and Christina Pristera (Atlanta, Ga.)

• Tom Principato (Cherry Hill, N.J.)

• Kayleen Walters (San Rafael, Calif.)

• Tim Sansone (St. Louis, Mo.)

• Mark Fletcher (Columbus, Ga.)

• Jay Herman (Rochester, N.Y.)

• David Wills (San Jose, Calif.)

• Adam Kanter (Palm Beach County, Fla.)

• Eric Miller (Portland, Ore.)

• Preston and Ginger Miller (Salem, Ore.)

 

 

SGL, a franchising law firm in New Zealand, celebrated 25 years in business with a party was held at the Pullman Hotel in late March 2018. The firm represents many well-known franchisors and emerging franchisors. Stewart Germann, who has more than 35 years’ experience in franchising, is a qualified mediator. Mediations in New Zealand have a high success rate for resolving franchise disputes.

 

 

sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt has transferred ownership at five locations to multi-unit franchisee Josh Gibson. Also a Subway multi-unit franchisee, Gibson has worked with his partners, Adam Balestino and Matt Stopp, to build Frozen Ventures, which owns seven sweetFrog stores. Gibson is eager to build his own sweetFrog network, starting with one in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. and four in Forest, Lynchburg, Danville and Harrisonburg, Va.

 

 

Del Taco continues to expand in Atlanta. Led by franchise veteran Mac Kamara, MK Energy, which operates brands such as BP, Circle K and Subway, has reached an agreement to develop seven locations across south central Atlanta, Ga.

 

 

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