People and News: July 2019
Top 5 People On the Move
Jeffrey Rager
Marco’s Pizza has named Jeffrey Rager as the new Chief Financial Officer. He previously held positions with KFC and Ignite Restaurant Group.
Jay Johns
Jay Johns has been promoted to President of IHOP, formerly serving as Senior Vice President of Operations.
Michelle Masters
Choice Hotels International, Inc. has appointed Michelle Masters as Regional Vice President of Franchise Services.
Mark Mele
Mark Mele has been promoted from Senior Vice President of Franchise Development to Chief Development Officer of Lightbridge Academy.
Sean Kajcienski
Sean Kajcienski has been named Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Best Life Brands.
News
NHL
Great Clips is now the Official Hair Salon of the NHL.
NFL
Realizing the benefits of cryotherapy, Dallas Cowboys football player Jaylon Smith is joining iCRYO Cryotherapy as an equity partner.
60 YEARS
Founded in 1959 by Mike and Marian Ilitch, Little Caesars is celebrating 60 years in business. Little Caesars has grown to employ over 200,000 people in over 24 countries around the globe.
3 LOCATIONS
The Lost Cajun is developing three new restaurants in Colorado that will be owned and operated by long time area residents Brad and Nikki Bach. Burlington, NC will also be home to a new location owned by Peter and Bliss Turner.
2 LOCATIONS
South Carolina entrepreneur Andrew Fry opened his second location of Office Evolution. Fry owns the original Charleston, SC location and his Mount Pleasant, SC location opened in June. California entrepreneurs Rhett Bratt and Dawn Lopshire will open three Office Evolution locations in the Diablo Valley, CA area.
NEW JOBS
McDonald’s is collaborating with AARP and the AARP Foundation to target older employees to work inside its nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants as operators gear up for the summer hiring season.
AWARDS
MilliCare Floor & Textile Care recently awarded their first-ever Franchise of the Year to Montreal, Canada franchise owners Rick Cranston and Hélène Chapados.
Home Helpers Home Care had a total of 110 franchise locations recognized with “Best of Home Care” awards by Home Care Pulse. Ten of those locations (listed below) received the highest honor, “Leaders in Excellence.” Congratulations to:
- Home Helpers of San Mateo County (CA) – Peggy Milne & Mitch Williams
- Home Helpers of Redding (CA) – Sharon Clark
- Home Helpers of Hinsdale (IL) – Brian & Dominica Davis
- Home Helpers of London (KY) – Wayne Gentry
- Home Helpers MetroSouth (MA) – Karen Straehle
- Home Helpers of Otsego (MI) – Alan & Carol Lust
- Home Helpers of Glenmoore (PA) – Ron & Peg Galipeau
- Home Helpers of Northern Lehigh Valley (PA) – Vicki Crow & Brian Day
- Home Helpers of Greater Milwaukee (WI) – Tim & Laura Bireley
- Home Helpers of Lake Country (WI) – Dave & Lisa Schmidt
PuroClean has earned a Gold Stevie® Award in Achievement in User Interface Design in the Web Awards category of the 17th Annual American Business Awards. PuroClean created individual franchise owner sites and a supporting corporate website in just four months, successfully improving conversions through mobile-first design and creating intuitive user experiences for their audience.
Franchising Gives Back
Choice Hotels International, Inc. is launching a grant program to support franchisees’ service efforts to their community. The Your Community, Your Choice Choice Hotels Local Business Grant Program will award $25,000 to five franchisees who plan to make a positive difference in their community. Franchisees who help rebuild a community affected by natural disasters, care for those less fortunate with food or clothing drives, mentor community youth or young professionals, honor local heroes and support other local businesses or organizations, such as schools, parks, etc. are up for the award.
The UPS Store, Inc. has launched a program to offer financial incentives to veterans called “Mission: Veteran Entrepreneurship.” The first 10 eligible veterans to submit a complete buyer’s application packet and initial application fee will be awarded $29,950 in waived franchise fees. Applications are being accepted through Nov. 11, 2019 (Veterans Day).