Restaurants
10 franchise development experts
These ten professionals have led franchise development in-house as directors, vice presidents and chief development officers at franchise brands. A reader can learn from them how franchise brands find and qualify franchisees, structure development deals and plan new-unit growth.
Professionals to explore
01—10Angela Coppler, CFE
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Development · PrimoHoagies Franchising, Inc.
Senior Vice President Development at PrimoHoagies Franchising, Inc. since December 2025, where the profile says she drives all facets of franchising and development. She was Head of Development at Cousins Maine Lobster (2023–2025), and at The Wendy's Company she was Sr. Director, Global Franchise Recruiting and Development (2019–2021) and Sr. Director Global Non-Traditional Development & Strategic Partnerships (2021–2023).
Charles Ballard
LinkedInExperience: Director of Franchise Development - Traditional - Domestic · Pizza Hut
Director of Franchise Development - Traditional - Domestic at Pizza Hut since January 2026. He was V.P. Franchise Development at i Fratelli Pizza (2016–2024) and Director of Development at Yogurtland (2024–2026). Other rows include V.P. Strategic Operations & National Director of Project PB&J at Which Wich Superior Sandwiches (2012–2016).
David Vernon
LinkedInExperience: Chief Development Officer · Wingstop Restaurants Inc.
Former Chief Development Officer at Wingstop Restaurants Inc. (2014–2017) and Sr. Vice President of Development there (2011–2014). He was VP Franchise Sales at Wingstop (2010–2011) and VP Franchise Sales at SONIC (1996–2010); the profile says a VP Franchise Sales role covered the development and management of the franchise sales department.
Dwayne Hoffman, CFE
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Franchise Development · Potbelly Sandwich Works
Vice President Franchise Development at Potbelly Sandwich Works since 2021. He was Vice President of Franchise Development at Duck Donuts (2020–2021) and Senior Director of Franchise Development at Nathan's Famous, Inc. (2017–2020). The profile says he was top developer at Starbucks for 8 of 12 years in the role and developed more than 600 franchise locations.
Jennifer Folger
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Franchise Development · Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Former Vice President, Franchise Development at Tropical Smoothie Cafe (2018–2024) and Senior Director of Franchise Development there (2015–2018). She has been Vice President, Franchise Growth at Eggs Up Grill since 2025 and was Senior Director of Franchise Development at Tin Drum Asian Kitchen (2015–2018).
Jim Kerr
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President - Franchise Development · Dairy Queen
Former Executive Vice President - Franchise Development at Dairy Queen (2016–2023) and Vice President - Development at Dairy Queen (2008–2016). Other rows list development roles at Domino's (2002–2008) and Burger King (1980–1995). The profile describes Dairy Queen as a food and beverage services company.
Paul Correale
LinkedInExperience: Director of Development · Famous Brands International (Mrs. Fields and TCBY)
Director of Development at Famous Brands International (Mrs. Fields and TCBY) since 2019; the profile says the role covers new store development across the United States, including new franchisee lead generation, recruitment marketing, the franchising process and franchise sales. He was also Director of Franchise Development (2009–2015) and Director - Franchise Development, Real Estate, Operations (2015–2017) at Famous Brands International, LLC.
Richard Leveille, CFE
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Franchise Development · Smalls Sliders
Vice President, Franchise Development at Smalls Sliders since December 2023, and Chief Development Officer there from 2022 to 2023. He was also Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Painting with a Twist (2018–2022) and VP of Franchise Development at Floor Coverings International (2014–2018). The profile headline cites 1,000+ locations launched and says his work spans franchise sales, real estate, design and construction.
Shannon Iverson, CFE
LinkedInExperience: VP of Franchise Growth · El Pollo Loco, Inc.
VP of Franchise Growth at El Pollo Loco, Inc. since 2026; the profile says the role leads strategies that align recruitment, market planning, real estate and operational readiness. At Marco's Pizza (Marco's Franchising, LLC) she was Vice President of Franchise Growth (2022–2024), Director of Franchise Sales (2021–2022) and Sales Manager (2018–2021).
Zeb Hastings
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Franchise Development · Quaker Steak & Lube/Travel Centers of America
Former Vice President Franchise Development at Quaker Steak & Lube/Travel Centers of America (2011–2017); the profile says he created and implemented the franchise re-start program, including sales strategies, a rewrite of the Franchise Disclosure Document and a franchisee profile and underwriting. He was also Director of Franchise Sales and Development at Steak'nshake (2010–2011).
Choose the right perspective
Match the brand's size and stage to yours, since recruiting franchisees for an emerging concept is different from managing growth in a large established system. If your question is about multi-unit deals or non-traditional sites, favor people whose titles or descriptions mention those areas.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you define your ideal franchisee profile, and which qualification steps screened out weak candidates?
- 02How did you balance signing new development agreements against making sure franchisees could open and run units successfully?
- 03Which lead sources and recruitment channels produced the best franchisees, and how did you measure them?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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