FFC is looking for an ambitious entrepreneurially minded CFO/President to join the ownership on a path of acquisitions and expansion. 

Description of Position

The Chief Financial Officer/President will be a senior executive of the company and, as such, will share overall responsibility for establishing the vision and managing the performance of the company. He/she will oversee and execute the company’s accounting and finance strategies as well as help set the strategic direction for the company. Some of the skill-sets and attributes required from the candidate include:

• Lender relationships and the ability to raise capital/liquidity (This is paramount)
• Be operationally minded with the desire to be in the field looking for opportunities within the organization and new business ventures to pursue. 
• Merger & Acquisitions experience, a deal maker.
• A critical thinker on common sense issues without the need for too much tactical direction. Someone who is adept at finding solutions, not only identifying problems. 
• Experience working with owners/entrepreneurs and have the ability to manage up in such a scenario.  
• Be highly entrepreneurial and treat FFC as their own company with an appetite to grow. 
• Experience in residential real estate transactions is a plus

Additionally, the CFO/President will:

• Maintain close contact and working relationships with investors and company leaders
• Serve as a key member of the management team, providing input and leadership for the company’s overall business strategy.
• Oversee financial operations, cash management and accounting control environment.
• Enhance annual and long-range Business Plan and Key Performance Indicators for the company and business units with company leaders. Measure performance against Key Performance Indicators.
• Oversee the team that prepares daily/weekly/monthly management reports.
• Work with ownership to structure and negotiate financings and letters of credit with banks, as needed.
• Supervise all corporate and unit accounting functions, including investor reports general ledgers, consolidations, accounts payable, corporate payroll, etc.
• Recruit and oversee corporate level accounting/finance staff.
• Enhance budgets and reforecasts for company performance, provide administrative guidance and oversee restaurant budgeting and re forecasting process.
• Direct corporate and unit critical expenditure analysis and control, identify areas of potential savings, negotiate with key vendors and implement cost reduction plans.
• Oversee tax reporting and compliance for the company.
• Oversee the finance department’s role in capital budgeting process.
• Create and maintain an environment and culture that serves to attract, retain and develop associates.
• Structure and negotiate leases with landlords, as needed, and maintain all lease relationships.
• Oversee and manage all relationships with internal and outsourced accounting functions.

Company/position goals
 

• Continue to grow the organization through real estate and restaurant acquisitions with a path to double in size over the next 3-5 years
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies resulting in cost savings and increased productivity
• Influence the company culture to help shift it into an "employer of choice" that will attract the best and the brightest while maintaining its entrepreneurial energy
• Implement best practices across all departments. 

Why work Friendly franchise corporation?

• Be a strategic business partner one of the largest Franchisee organizations in the country with a track record of success and an appetite for continued growth. 
• Work with a group of committed entrepreneurs that treat each other and the company like family
• Be able to influence an organizations culture and make an impact 
• Partner and earn on lucrative transactions 

Reporting Structure

The Chief Financial Officer will report to Harshad Dharod, Owner.

Watch an interview with him here: Harshad Interview

qualifications

• Experience as a CFO with a similar scaling/growing brand
• Existing banking relationships and a track record of being able to raise capital
• 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.