“I’m very honored to join Franchise FastLane as president and COO,” Koch said. “This organization has earned a well-deserved reputation as the industry’s No. 1 franchise sales organization, and I intend to help them maintain their status as the go-to partner for new and emerging brands. I’d like to thank the search committee at both Southfield Capital and Franchise FastLane for giving me the opportunity to help lead one of the fastest growing companies in America, and I look forward to contributing to their further growth and achievements in the franchising industry.”
Koch said Franchise FastLane’s CarPool program, which brings training, tools, support and coaching to emerging franchisors, is a prime example of the FSO’s ability to innovate in the franchising space. “The response to this training and coaching program has been great as emerging brands and franchisors see significant value in the expertise and mentorship our CarPool team can bring to build their in-house franchise development teams,” he said.
Carey Gille, co-founder and CEO of Franchise FastLane, described Koch as an experienced executive who can lead the FSO forward. “In joining us as our new president and COO, he brings a fresh perspective and the knowledge and expertise we need during the next crucial phase of our company’s life cycle. We greatly look forward to his contributions as Franchise FastLane continues to drive even more integration and life change through responsible franchise growth on behalf of the high-performing brands in our portfolio,” Gille said.
Franchising and Private Equity Background
Koch’s first view of franchising was through the supply chain. During his time as a purchasing agent for CKE Restaurants Inc., a large quick-service restaurant brand, Koch worked directly with executive level leadership, franchise advisory boards and many levels of franchise ownership. “The experience was a master class in how to properly support franchisees through systems and processes, and how valuable collaboration, transparency and relationships can be to the success of our franchise community,” Koch said. “It really drove my passion for franchising.”
Koch also has served as COO of Gala Capital Partners LLC, a private investment firm based in Costa Mesa, Calif., which has a portfolio boasting established restaurant brands including Cicis Pizza, Del Taco, Jack in the Box and Applebee’s Grill and Bar.
Koch said Southfield’s financial expertise and extensive network provide many advantages for Franchise FastLane. “Southfield brings a unique balance of strategic and operational guidance and the open collaboration and sharing of ideas to contribute to our growth,” he said. “Overall, having the right equity partner that aligns with the goals and values of the organization is essential.”
Benefits of Working with FSOs
Koch’s time at Franchise FastLane also has made him a proponent of working with FSOs because the learning curve is expensive for emerging franchisors and navigating the landscape of franchise expansion can be challenging, he said. “We at Franchise FastLane recognize that managing franchise development internally diverts attention from fundamentally running the franchise business and supporting the franchisees. We strive to solve this all too common problem for franchisors. Simply put, we help make franchisors better,” he said.
An active franchising community member, Koch serves on Famous Dave’s Franchise Advisory Board, which represents a full-circle experience, he said, because his first job was as a line cook at the original Famous Dave’s location. “The representation of the FAC, working with a receptive and collaborative team at the franchisor level, is critical to any brand’s success. Every entrepreneur or franchisee involved with a brand should serve on their advisory board or have an open line of communication with their representatives on the FAC.”
Koch holds a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University, and also gives back by mentoring students through the institution’s PeppConnect Program.
Are You Ready to Take Your Brand to the Next Level?
Franchise FastLane is the No. 1 Franchise Sales Organization (FSO) in the country and our mission is to responsibly drive extraordinary growth for the chosen few. If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of joining the FastLane or CarPool, please click here to submit an application. To keep up with all the latest happenings, make sure you follow us on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and check out our collection of photos on Instagram.
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