A cooperative of franchise consultants assembled to assist & coach entrepreneurs, franchisors, and independent operators achieve their growth goals by blending knowledge, experience, guidance, coaching and effective selling strategies into their everyday practice.

FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVERecognized as “Top 25 Fast Casual Executives in America” by Fast Casual Magazine he started his career in franchising as a franchisee of Dunkin Donuts. He was a member of Dunkin’s Franchisee Advisory Council and Advertising Committee. After building a successful franchise and wholesale business it was acquired by the parent company in 1988. He went on to launch the consulting firm GPM Consulting. He initiated the launch of the Ranch*1 franchise, considered one of a pioneers in the Fast Causal space. As VP of franchise development he helped grow the brand to 60 operating units with 200 additional units in development.In 2000 he was recruited to expand the fledgling fresh Mexican fast casual chain, Desert Moon, holding various roles from VP of Franchising and eventually President of the 35 unit chain. In 2009 he was brought in as CDO of TRUFOODS, LLC. A 100+ unit multi unit franchisor of heritage brands which included Wall Street deli, Pudgie’s Famous Chicken, Arthur Trencher’s Fish and Chips and Ritter’s Frozen Custard.In 2016 he launched Franchise Growth Solutions, LLC. a multi faceted franchise development and franchise sale organization. As Managing Partner he heads up a cooperative of franchise executive consultants focused on start up and emerging brands. He is also the cofounder of the online magazine www.franchisemoneymaker.com, former host of NYC radio program “Franchise and Small Business" as well host of the podcast MasterMind Minutes. He is a contributing writer for Forbes covering the franchising and restaurant industries and an Adjunct Professor at NYU teaching a variety of subjects from Business Planning, to Foundations in Restaurant Management to Social Media in the Restaurant Industry.A market-driven franchise executive successful in building & leading both franchisors and franchisees through start-up, diversification, and growth on a national basis. Expert in identifying emerging market opportunities.

MasterMind Minutes - One Guest -One Question - One Expert Answer In Minutes Not Hours. Featuring Information for Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, Franchisees and Franchisors. Powered by the Passion, Knowledge and Experience of Gary Occhiogrosso - Managing Partner - Franchise Growth Solutions, LLc.

The Professional Diploma in Restaurant Entrepreneurship provides you with the opportunity to prepare a comprehensive restaurant business plan, as well as to develop the knowledge and skills needed to launch your new venture and oversee daily operations. As a participant in this program, you will be exposed to restaurant planning process, including concept development, funding and site selection, menu design, purchasing and inventory management, sales and marketing, and the hiring of staff and development of an authentic company culture. You also will learn the difference between the restaurant business and the business of restaurants and be able to move into either after completing the Diploma.

www.franchisemoneymaker.com

Leading effort to re-launch franchise program for newly acquired brands. Wall Street Deli, Pudgie’s Chicken, Arthur Treacher’s Fish&Chips and Ritter’s Frozen Custard. Develop budget for plan executionDeveloped market criteria necessary to negotiate territories and Franchisee AgreementsOversee and develop broker networkResponsible for updating and maintaining all UFDD compliance issues for federal and state registrations with outside franchise counsel

• Named "Best Fast Casual Fresh Mexican" by Food and Drink Magazine* Engaged Private Equity firm to lead a private placement. Developed PPM and operating projection model and road show materials.• Developed the 5-year Business Plan with operating model resulting in the successful first round of private funding.• Development & execution of Company Strategic Plan• Oversee the design, development, and administration of the Company’s franchise rollout & development programs that achieve franchise growth objectives. • On-going coordination of the strategic direction of the company. • Supervise the department heads for Office Administration, Director of Operational Services, Facility Development, Franchise Sales Consultants, and Corporate and Franchise Legal team.

Directly selling and awarding franchise rights to both single and multi-unit operators.Developed market criteria necessary to negotiate territories and Franchisee AgreementsResponsible for site selection and approvalResponsible for LOI, assisting the franchisee with LeaseCoordinated and monitored facility development with COO, Project Manager and franchiseeCreated franchise system tools covering franchise sales material, financing, site selection packages, leases, pro-forma package, design plans and supervision of franchise field consultants Developed franchisee qualification criteria checking and vetting of candidates Oversee operations support for franchisee communityDeveloped, updated and maintained all UFDD compliance issues for federal and state registrations with outside franchise counsel. Hands on assistance to Franchisee in opening first storeCreated franchise advertising co-op for 3 existing DMA's and implemented the collection of contributions from all units.Increased unit profitability by 12%Reduced manager turnover rate by implementing unit level accountability program tied to a PAC bonus program. Created brand positioning statement.Created strategic marketing partnerships with various vendors and suppliers resulting in significant contributions to company marketing fund.Refined corporate logo and responsible for maintenance of all corporate trademarks and registrations with outside counsel.Responsible for all company restaurant P & L's.Developed. Prototype in-line unit as part of 3-member team.Created the company's first advertising and marketing programs resulting in comp store sales increases ranging from 2.5% to 11%

Working directly with the two Founders, launched the original Ranch*1 Franchise Program.Directly Selling multi unit and single unit franchises.Developed all franchise compliance guidelines, operational structure, real estate criteria, franchisee profiling and branding components.Grew the company to 60 operating units and 200 units committed before completing a sale of the brand on behalf of the concept Founders.

Sold over one thousand units of Single & Multi as well as International Master Franchises for various clientsLaunched a consulting practice specializing in the development, brand positioning and market expansion of franchise concepts on behalf of single and multi-unit restaurant and retail companies. Provided services encompassing strategic planning, budgeting, FDD compliance, unit and system development, and multimedia marketing & advertising. Successfully conducted customer profiling, devised target market demographics and created comprehensive franchise plans for site development and operational start-ups. Created materials and led road show presentations to pitch concepts and raise capital to facilitate the entire franchise sales cycle. Sold majority interest of firm in 2000, continue to provide ancillary advisory services. Identified and approached entrepreneurs of unique concepts including Ranch *1 to franchise the concept. Provided strategic and tactical leadership to design and launch the initial franchise program. Led aggressive marketing efforts to sell new units while capturing the attention of major industry players. Subsequently structured and negotiated the acquisition of concepts from original owners to complete financially successful exit strategy.Designed / deployed complete franchise systems from site and equipment sourcing to financial / operating and infrastructure development to complete sales, marketing and promotional campaigns.Captured franchise development engagements with national companies & local area developers of national brands. Key clients include Blimpie & Schlotsky's master franchisees.Fostered long-term relationships with parent companies including, Pennsylvania Pretzel, Shake-a-Paw Puppies, The Treasure Cache and others. Structured strategic partnerships with Host Marriott International, Ogden Entertainment, Madison Square Garden and the Mills Corporation to expand franchise efforts in multi-brand establishments.

United Foods: As a franchisee I opened a retail Gourmet Nut, Candy & Gift Basket store in Nanuet, NY. Further created a Corporate Gift & Catalog division. Working with the founder of the concept, I repositioned the concept and initiated an aggressive franchise campaign leading to new units from NY to Florida.

Strike Enterprises Inc: My partner and I developed a Dunkin Donuts shop in Queens NY. As a successful franchise I was a member of the DD Advisory Council and the DD Advertising Committee. We developed a wholesale bakery division with 83 points of distribution including Path-Mark Super Market.