Restaurants
10 multi-unit franchisees
These ten professionals have owned and operated multiple units of restaurant franchise brands, from a few locations to hundreds of restaurants. A reader can learn how multi-unit franchisees run their franchise businesses from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Amit Sehgal
LinkedInExperience: Franchisee · Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Franchisee of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers since 2023, with franchisee rows for Del Taco and McAllister's Deli since 2024 and Häagen-Dazs Shops since 2022, plus a Starbucks licensee row since 2022. The profile describes a multi-unit, multi-concept franchise owner and operator whose brands also include Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Popeyes and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Brett Lewis
LinkedInExperience: Multi-Unit Franchisee · Jersey Mike's Subs
Multi-Unit Franchisee of Jersey Mike's Subs since 2015 and Multi-Unit Franchisee of Wingstop since 2021, based in Draper, Utah. He has also been Company Owner of The Smoked Taco since 2023. Before franchising he was co-founder and COO of Clearshield (2010–2015) and of MediFIRM (2013–2014).
James Hensyel
LinkedInExperience: Multi-Unit Franchisee · Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Multi-Unit Franchisee of Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Fargo, North Dakota since 2014; the profile says the business now has two locations in the Fargo market. He has also been a Schlotzsky's franchise owner since 2021, and was Co-Owner of Valpak Advertising (2012–2022) and Owner of Core Fitness Solutions (2011–2018).
Jay Page
LinkedInExperience: Franchisee · Jimmy John's
Franchisee of Jimmy John's since 2011, of Qdoba since 2013 and of Buffalo Wild Wings since 2025, and a Dairy Queen territory operator since 2006. The profile describes a third-generation restaurateur who is a 29-unit franchisee across Dairy Queen, Jimmy John's, Buffalo Wild Wings and Qdoba in the quick-service sector.
Jesse Arnold
LinkedInExperience: Multi-Unit Restaurant Investor & Operator (Pizza Hut) · Arnold Family of Restaurants
Multi-unit restaurant investor and operator of Pizza Hut locations at Arnold Family of Restaurants since 2017; the profile describes the Tyler, Texas based company as a multi-unit franchisee operating more than 70 Pizza Hut locations. Before that he worked in Franchise Finance & Development at Pizza Hut (2015–2017).
Jhonny Mercado
LinkedInExperience: Owner/ Chairman Wendy’s and Taco Bell in TN, SC, GA, TX, FL and NM · JAI Restaurant Group
Owner and Chairman of JAI Restaurant Group since 2007, operating Wendy's and Taco Bell restaurants across six US states. He was also owner and co-chairman of JAE Restaurant Group (2007–2022), which the profile lists at 218 Wendy's restaurants, and has chaired WEN HOLDING, a Wendy's franchisee in Panama with 15 restaurants, since 2010.
Mark Watson
LinkedInExperience: Owner · WBF Management, LLC McDonalds
Owner of WBF Management, LLC, a McDonald's franchisee, with owner rows running from 1981 to the present. The profile describes the business as the franchisee of 47 McDonald's restaurants in the Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona markets, and an earlier entry mentions 19 McDonald's restaurants.
PJ Fonseca
LinkedInExperience: Owner operator · McDonald's
McDonald's owner operator since 2010 and owner of The Fonseca Group since 2020; the profile describes him as the franchisee of 34 McDonald's restaurants in New York and New Jersey, operated through The Fonseca Group. He has also served on the board of Ronald McDonald House New York since 2021.
Richard Forte
LinkedInExperience: Franchisee, Business Owner · Fortress Operations Ltd t/a McDonald's
Franchisee and business owner at Fortress Operations Ltd, trading as McDonald's, since 2016; the profile says he started with four restaurants in Reading and has expanded to operate 30. Before that he spent 23 years at McDonald's, including Chief Operations Officer and SVP for the UK and Northern Europe (2008–2016).
Roland Spongberg
LinkedInExperience: President and CEO · WKS Restaurant Group
President and CEO of WKS Restaurant Group since 1987; the profile says he began the company with one El Pollo Loco restaurant and has grown it to six brands and 293 restaurants in 16 states with more than 10,000 employees. Franchise owner rows include Denny's (since 2006), Krispy Kreme (since 2010), Blaze Pizza (since 2016) and Wendy's (since 2017).
Choose the right perspective
Match the operator's scale to your question, since running two or three locations differs from running a group of dozens or hundreds with its own support center. Also consider brand mix: some operators stay with one brand while others run several concepts, which changes how they share managers, systems and capital.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01When is the right time to open a second or third unit, and how do you fund it?
- 02How do you find and keep general managers who can run a location without you there?
- 03What do you look for when choosing a new franchise brand to add to your portfolio?
Reaching multi-unit franchisees
How can I contact one of these multi-unit franchisees?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Jersey Mike's Subs and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, based on profile data retrieved on October 9, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach multi-unit franchisees?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these multi-unit franchisees a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
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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