FFC is looking for an ambitious entrepreneurial minded Franchisee to join forces with and run one of the largest franchise organizations in the country as CEO. The owner has the capital and shared services (legal, maintenance, accounting/finance, operations teams) to take a candidates existing portfolio to over 100+ stores over the next few years. 

This is an opportunity share in profits and scale far faster than most in their current situation can now.  Harshad's passion is mentorship and training - plan to learn from all of his successes and mistakes and be given the blueprint to being the largest franchisee in the country. 

Description of Position

As the business unit leader, the CEO is responsible for achieving the company's vision on a daily basis. Together with the ownership, the CEO is charged with creating a business unit culture consistent with our Guiding Principles (integrity, hospitality, excellence, growth and celebration), while developing and leading high performing hospitality teams, growing our community of guests and achieving the financial targets.

The CEO will oversee all operations and strategy the home office for FFC (along with ownership).  Reporting to you will be Area Directors, VP Operations, and corporate.  Day to day direct responsibilities include maintaining excellent Guest Service and profitability while continuing the company’s vision, values and culture.

The CEO is dedicated to operational excellence at all times by aligning performance measures to support the achievement of company goals. This includes execution and quality while maximizing profitability by maintaining a high-energy, high performing district where people want to work. They provide leadership, coaching and direction to the restaurants to improve operations and increase sales and profit for each location.  You must be able to Strategically think about the business for the future growth and well-being of the brand.

More specifically, the CEO will be responsible for:

Operational Excellence: create systems for organizing business resources including the facility, management, management scheduling, duty delegation, administration, service/shift management and quality control

•  Provide expert direction to each Area Directors and GM’s to increase guest satisfaction and sales by delivering excellent Guest Service while staying true to FFC's vision, values and culture. Develop guest loyalty through quality of operation, personalized guest attention and staff development.
• Ensure all assigned restaurants meet the delivery of quality food and services through the purchasing and management of food and non-food items.  

Legal Compliance: execute systems to ensure the business is operating in compliance with all local, state and federal laws

Financial Performance: promote sales, manage expenses and cash handling systems required to achieve business budgets and growth targets

• Review and analyzes financial statements with Area Directors on a regular basis and develop action plans to improve results and profitability.

Human Resources: assist in recruitment, training, development, and performance evaluations, employee relations and benefits 

• Determine management needs and select quality management candidates in partnership with the Area Director and Human Resources department. Recommend and effect transfers, promotions and terminations for management employees. Provide necessary coaching to Area Directors to assist him/her in achieving maximum effectiveness.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems in accordance with ABRH’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures and Vision, Values and Culture. 

Strategy: Work on growth / acquisition strategy for the companies franchise portfolio. 

• Source and negotiate new franchise deals that are in line with the company's growth initiatives
• Perform other projects and duties as assigned.
• Proactively Communicating upward to the Ownership

Why work Friendly franchise corporation?

• Oversee one of the largest Franchisee organizations in the country with a track record of success and an appetite for continued growth. 
• Access to capital to scale your existing restaurants of choice. The owner is open to any type of franchise concept. 
• Access to shared services (legal, franchise development, accounting/finance, marketing) so you can focus on optimizing operations and growth

Reporting Structure

The CEO will report to Harshad Dharod, Owner.

Watch an interview with him here: Harshad Interview

qualifications

• Experience in buying and successfully operating a franchise concept of 3+ units (8-15 units is ideal)
• Ambition and energy to at the very least, double the company in size
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities and projects.
• Ability to produce a high volume of work in a timely manner, which is accurate, complete, and of high quality..
• The ideal candidate will be decisive and persuasive but not be an “ego” driven individual. The person will need to lead by example and be “hands on”  with the ability to see the big picture.

Interested in learning more or know the right person? Email mandeep@hhcsearch.com

about the founder

Harshad graduated with a degree in Communications from a university in Bombay and left India to pursue a medical education in the US.  To cover his educational costs, he got a job at Jack in the Box, as a crew member and rose rapidly within the system, deciding to go into the restaurant business instead of becoming a doctor.  Harshad acquired his first Jack In The Box within just seven years.   Just five years after that, Harshad was successfully operating 19 Jack in the Box restaurants by improving sales at the acquired units by 30-40%.  

In 1997 in Los Angeles County, Harshad acquired 14 Papa John’s restaurants in Los Angeles County and operated them for 15 years until selling them in 2012.

Through his affiliated companies, Harshad acquired 66 Carl’s Jr. Restaurants in California from Carl Karcher Enterprises (CKE) in December 2000 and increased sales by over 40% through improved operations.  Currently, Harshad runs 72 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Southern and Northern California, which constitutes the largest Carl’s Jr. franchise block in the entire Carl’s Jr. system.

In 2007, Harshad acquired 18 Denny’s Restaurants in Washington State from Denny’s Corporation.  The EBITDA performance was doubled in the first year of operations.   Denny’s Restaurants were sold in 2012 after a successful 5 year run.

Harshad remains the leader in franchise community and in employee development. He serves on the board of Governors at Chapman University, and is a Founder Member of New Vista School.  Harshad is also very active in running OC Vision – a fast rising AAU basketball team and also participates in the National Junior Basketball League.

about the company

Founded in 1986 by Harshad Dharod, FFC, through its affiliated entities, manages and operates franchised Carl’s Jr. restaurants, numerous multi-unit apartment complexes, and other business concerns with over $100 million in sales. FFC is the 45th largest franchise restaurant holding company in the United States that operates 71 Carl’s Jr. restaurants with sales over $100 million.   In addition, FFC manages significant real estate holdings in the Los Angeles area.

At the core of this business model is the strong work ethic of the leader, Harshad Dharod.  Harshad left Bombay, India to pursue a medical education in the US.  To cover his educational costs, he got a job at Jack in the Box, as a crew member.  He rose rapidly within the system becoming a franchise owner within just seven years.   FFC operated 19 Jack in the Box restaurants within the next five years.  This success was achieved by driving sale increases at the acquired units, usually by 30-40%, and by following these four basic principles: “serve quality food, create a friendly environment, maintain a clean store and offer superior guest service”. Harshad and his team at FFC continue to replicate their initial successes in each subsequent brand by adhering to the principles of its work ethic.

Harshad Dharod recognized that to run a large organization with over 2,000 employees, he had to train and delegate authority to his people and reward performance.  He provides a constant pursuit of high standards and principles, practices participative management, seeks to promote the management team from within and demonstrates firm leadership standards that permeate throughout the organization. Harshad Dharod leads by example, pointing out he still prepares the finest hamburger in the company and he instills his work ethic throughout his organization.  FFC amply rewards its employees, resulting in low turnover in the organization at both the corporate and store levels.

In December 2000, FFC acquired 66 Carl’s Jr. Restaurants in California from Carl Karcher Enterprises (CKE).  The transaction was closed in 45 days.  Harshad Dharod and his young daughter personally visited each of the 66 units in two days to expedite the closing process.

Sales are now 40% higher than when these units were purchased in 2000 because of improved operations.  These units contribute over $100 MM in sales.  FFC continues to be the largest Carl’s Jr. franchisee.

Pres

Up to $1000 for referrals!

If you are not interested in this particular role but have people in your network that could be a good fit, we would love to help them. For any person we place at any of our clients that you refer to us, we send you a check for $500.

Each person is limited to only 3 referrals maximum so please only refer your best and help continue to build the best culinary network.