Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2017 | Page 22

2017 MVP AWARDS
BY HELEN BOND
Strategic Flight Plan
Combat-tested veteran thrives in franchising
K
evin Kelly, a decorated fighter
pilot, credits his 25 years of
active duty for his strategic
focus on the big picture in his
multi-unit franchise business.
“The ability to think strategically and
on a large scale is something many people
struggle with,” says Kelly, a combat vet-
eran with multiple tours in the Middle
East. “When you are in the military, you
generally deal and operate on big scales,
so translating this into a business just
comes naturally.”
Kelly, the 2017 MVP Veteran Entre-
preneurship Award winner for outstand-
ing performance and leadership by a vet-
eran, served in both the U.S. Navy and
Air Force before teaming up with two
friends 6 years ago to invest in Planet
Fitness. Today the partners operate 19
NAME: Kevin Kelly
TITLE: Principal (1 of 3)
NO. OF UNITS: 19 Planet Fitness
AGE: 49
FAMILY: Wife, Marisa, sons
Roman 4 and Dylan 2, daughter,
Kira Grace, 3 months
YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 6
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 6
gyms in Phoenix, with expansion plans
under way in Washington and Mexico.
While the playing fields are different,
Kelly often takes a page from his mili-
tary days when managing his franchise
operations. When it comes to day-to-day
operations, he says, the key is to under-
stand the difference between tactics and
strategies.
“As a leader in your company, your
day should be filled with events and de-
cisions dealing with where your com-
pany will be in 5 t