Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Siebert.
Mark has been consulting to franchisors since 1985. In 1998 Mark, CEO, founded iFranchise Group as an organization designed to help new and established franchisors reach their full growth potential. Mark’s passion in the franchise industry includes evaluating organizations for franchisability, financial strength, management capabilities, and development potential; assess alternatives for growth; and create strategies for expansion, with particular emphasis on franchising. He is also an expert in assisting troubled franchise companies, identify problem areas, and develop solutions and improvements in strategies, marketing, operations, and franchise relations.
He has worked with some of the most successful franchisors in the world, including Ace Hardware, Bridgestone/Firestone, Chem-Dry, Chevron, Cosi, Einstein Brothers Bagels, Fleming, Haagen Dazs, HoneyBaked Ham, Krispy Kreme, Massage Envy, McDonald’s, Nestle, Payless Shoe Source, Roy Rogers, Sonic Drive-In, Subway, Successories, Tribune Company, and the UPS Store.
Some of my affiliations include:
Member in good standing, International Franchise Association, 1999 – current.
Member, Membership Committee, International Franchise Association, 2005 – current
Member, Franchisee Relations Committee, International Franchise Association, 2002 – 2005.
Member, Convention Planning Task Force, International Franchise Association, 2005 – 2006.
In 2002, he was named to the prestigious “20 to Watch” issue of Franchise Times, and am a former board member of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, a former member of the Fair Franchising Standards Committee of the AAFD, and am active in the International Franchise Association and its Franchise Relations Committee. He is the author of dozens of articles on franchising, as well as the book, Franchise Your Business: The Guide to Employing the Greatest Growth Strategy Ever, and received three major awards for his franchise related activities. He is widely quoted in the business press, and have an M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Franchising is far too complex to lend itself to a checkbox approach. It requires creativity and individual solutions geared toward achieving specific strategic objectives.
Whenever I meet with an entrepreneur interested in franchising, I ask, “Where do you want to be in five years?” Most entrepreneurs have never given any thought to the question before. But to determine which growth strategy is best, I need to understand three things: their personal goals of ownership, the assets (both human and capital) they can devote to achieving those goals, and the time frame within which they hope to accomplish them.
Franchising is not right for everyone. Franchising is about leveraging your intellectual property and your accumulated knowledge. To be successful as a franchise a concept requires certain qualities and criteria. It is important that a potential franchisor understands market trends, has sufficient capital, and strong management.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about iFranchise Group – what should we know?
The iFranchise Group is the world’s premier franchise consulting firm. Our consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world’s top 200 franchisors. The iFranchise Group provides substantial depth in all of the key areas of franchising including franchise strategy development, quality control, documentation and training, franchise marketing assistance, and franchise implementation services. Whether you are an experienced franchisor refining or improving an established company or looking to expand through franchising for the first time, the iFranchise Group can provide the real-world guidance and hands-on assistance needed to reach your full growth potential.
I am most proud of the team at iFranchise Group. Founded on the principle that great people make great companies, iFranchise Group brings franchise consultants with decades of diverse experience to every engagement. Every aspect of every engagement is personally headed by a professional with at least a decade of relevant experience. Virtually all of our senior consultants have either worked for significant franchise companies and/or sold franchises stated simply, the iFranchise Group has the most experienced franchise consultants.
What sets us apart is our experience in the franchise industry. iFranchise Group’s consultants have held senior management positions at companies including Adia Services (now Adecco), AFC Enterprises (Popeyes, Church’s, Cinnabon), Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Dunkin’ Donuts, PIP Printing, McDonald’s, Snelling & Snelling, Taco Bell, and Yorkshire Global (A&W and Long John Silver’s). And, we provide customized strategies designed to maximize a company’s unique strengths, to work within a company’s available resources, to seize available opportunities, and to achieve a company’s specific objectives.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My good friend and partner at iFranchise Group, Dave Hood, is the former president of Auntie Anne’s, and has provided me with tremendous first-hand insight into franchise best practices over the course of decades. I have also learned a tremendous amount from many of the consultants who have worked with me at iFranchise Group. Leonard Swartz, has led six different franchise brands in senior level positions – starting as the COO of Dunkin’ Donuts, and later holding senior management positions at Dunhill Personnel, Snelling & Snelling, Adia Services (now Adecco), PIP Printing, and a franchise division of ITT. Scott Jewett, whom I have the privilege of calling a friend, grew Line-X from its entry into franchising to its sale to a private equity firm after opening more than 700 franchise units. Jerry Wilkerson, who is like a brother to me, helped introduce me to the franchise world, and showed me the ropes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ifranchisegroup.com https://www.amazon.com/author/marksiebert
- Phone: 708-957-2300
- Email: info@ifranchisegroup.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ifranchiseGroup
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ifranchiseGroup
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcsiebert/
Image Credit:
Photos taken by iFranchise Group, Inc.
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