Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2013 | Page 50

M U L T I - B R A N D By Kerry Pipes Reconnecting with Ricky Warman Triple Player T Veteran Papa John’s franchisee expands his brands he last time we spoke with Ricky Warman, in 2009, he was pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into successfully operating 42 Papa John’s units in Florida. The former Prudential Securities investment manager had left the corporate life behind in the early 1990s for the roughand-tumble world of franchising. He liked what he found there, and he was good at it. Early in his franchising career, before finding his real rhythm with Papa John’s, he spent time with brands including Jenny Craig and Schlotzsky’s. Papa John’s turned out to be a good 48 Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue II, 2013 Name: Ricky Warman Title: CEO Company: Pizzerias, LLC No. of units: Papa John’s, 31; Genghis Grill, 2; Homewatch CareGivers, 1 Age: 48 Family: Married 22 years, with twin 18-year-old daughters Years in franchising: 22 Years in current position: 9 fit for Warman, and he eventually grew to 53 locations in various locales throughout Florida. Over the past four years, however, he sold off all the units outside his core areas of Miami, Dade, and Broward counties and redirected his focus to the remaining 31 units. “I like to be near the stores and be able to concentrate on doing things really well right here in my own backyard,” he says. But with his Papa John’s territory now maxed out, and his desire to grow propelling him, he’s turned his attention to additional brands. “That’s one thing I’ve learned from attending the Multi-Unit Franchising