Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2012 | Page 46

M U L

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B R A N D

PERSONAL
Key accomplishments: Our company has made the Inc. 5000 list of the
fastest-growing companies in America for four years now. We have won the
Subway worldwide contest for the fastest sandwich maker in the world several
times. We have been awarded Subway Franchisee of the Year five times. And
we’ve been recognized as one of the largest QSRs in the country.
Biggest mistake: I opened a unit under the franchise brand Orange Cup
Yogurt and it just didn’t perform to our expectations. But you learn that not
everything you do is successful and you can learn from your mistakes.
How do you spend a typical day? Looking at how we can grow the
company, working on strategy to implement ideas to increase sales or decrease
operating costs, determining whether we have the right contingency plans in
place, and communicating with my upper layer of management. I also analyze
financial reports looking at costs and revenue numbers, watching for red flags
on a weekly basis. Being the face of the company by providing leadership and
vision.
Work week: A typical week is filled with all kinds of activities that pertain to
plotting, planning, and strategizing. I meet with my COO and other department
heads biweekly. It’s my responsibility to maintain a beneficial relationship with
our lenders and our landlords. I will look to secure financing for a project or
finalize a lease for a new store. And it’s likely there will be a board meeting in
there somewhere with Subway FAF or other organizations. I do try to balance
my work week between work and family, so you might find me coaching football or basketball or meeting my kids for lunch.
Favorite fun activities: Working out with weights, playing adult soccer,
coaching kids’ sports teams, playing poker, and chess. I like to travel, especially
with my wife and kids!
Exercise/workout: I work out with free weights three times a week for

45 minutes to an hour. I will do cardio two to three times a week with the HIIT
method on the treadmill. It serves as a great stress reliever and makes me feel
good to be taking care of myself. I have been working out for 18 years!
Favorite tech toys: iPhone 4, iPad
What are you reading? I just finished The Shack by William P. Young. I
use audio books a lot. Business pubs like this one, Inc., and Franchise Times.
Do you have a favorite quote/advice? The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Best advice you ever got? “Sometimes being quiet is better than speaking” and “No decision can be the best decision.”
Formative influences/events: When I graduated from Texas Tech University I started working as a manager at Wal-Mart. During this time, I completed
their entire training program, which helped shape my style and approach to
business. My two years of working for Wal-Mart was like getting another business degree as it helped my success with franchising. I thought that I should
work for a very successful company to see what makes them successful and
really admired Sam Walton at that time.
How do you balance life and work? It’s a juggling act and comes
down to prioritizing. Each day I go through what has to be done at work,
then what is most important to me in my life that day. It might be more
important for me to spend time with my wife than work that day if there are
no emergent issues. At work, I am very efficient and always have a plan of
action in mind once I am in the office. There are many instances in which I
will take “homework” with me. This is work that I can do at my house at
my own discretion. My belief is that time and what you do with it is what is
most important as you age.

MANAGEMENT
Business philosophy: A couple of key terms here: empowerment, open
and candid, honesty, fair, and follow up. First, empowerment is an atmosphere
I try to create where employees can make their own decisions and excel. I
want them to have an attitude as if they were the owner. The backbone of our
management philosophy is centered around being honest, open, up-front, and
fair with everyone. You will receive more respect from your peers. Whatever decision you make for one employee you should
be willing to make for another employee.
Finally, follow up on everything you have delegated to make sure it gets done! This is the
weakest link for most managers.
Are you in the franchise, real estate, or customer service business?
Why? Definitely all three; however, if
you’re not operating at a profit then you don’t have a business. Even though
we are a food franchise, we are in the business of taking care of our customers. More sales solves a lot of problems. As a franchisee I do own some real
estate including eight of my Subway locations.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? A love for life. I appreciate
life and I love what I do. Life is a blessing for all of us.
What’s your passion in business? Developing people and growing the
company. Seeing people who are a part of this organization succeed is reward-

ing. Growing the company, efficiently, is exciting because you never know
where you will be in 5 years!
Management method or style: Coaching. I like to empower people to
be in the game, but I can help lead and direct them to carry out their tasks. My
experience allows me to see the big picture, while sometimes employees may
only have a more narrow or myopic view of what’s going on. I provide guidance and support.
Greatest challenge: Finding good people
who want to make something of themselves.
Also, time management.
How close are you to operations? I
try to be around so my people know that I am
out there and do exist. However, it is virtually
impossible to be in all my stores. That’s why I
have a COO and several area supervisors. They are my eyes out in the field and
we connect daily by text, email, or in person. I also schedule biweekly meetings with them to cover manager and store performance as well as to review
customer comments.
Have you changed your marketing strategy in response to the
economy? How? Subway has promoted the $5 Footlong sandwich, and it
has been effective as people search for more value. As for LA Sunset Tan, we’ve
continued on page 46

“I appreciate life
and I love what I do.
Life is a blessing
for all of us.”

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue II, 2012