As the Executive Director, Street Real Estate for Sarku Japan since September 2013, my mandate has been to help lead the division of the company's real estate department in establishing a dominant presence in open air shopping centers and store front locations.Sarku Japan is the largest national Japanese Quick Service Chain in America with over 200 restaurants in over 30 states, Puerto Rico and South America. Found in 1987, Sarku Japan brought the concept of Teppanyaki-style freshly… Show more As the Executive Director, Street Real Estate for Sarku Japan since September 2013, my mandate has been to help lead the division of the company's real estate department in establishing a dominant presence in open air shopping centers and store front locations.Sarku Japan is the largest national Japanese Quick Service Chain in America with over 200 restaurants in over 30 states, Puerto Rico and South America. Found in 1987, Sarku Japan brought the concept of Teppanyaki-style freshly cooked Japanese cuisine to the food courts of most regional and landmark shopping centers. Today, we are still the only QSR operator to offer this unique Teppanyaki featured as a national standard.The company has now established a successful and ever-expanding foothold of street stores in two major markets: DC/Maryland/Virginia and New Jersey/NYC boroughs where it locates in premier, dominate centers of highly desirable trade areas. The street stores are poised to fuel the long term growth of Sarku Japan by replicating its enclosed shopping center success in storefront locations. Show less

Mr. Gillespie brings senior corporate expertise in licensing, legal, and royalty mechanisms to Sillenger Exploration. Since 1978, he has built an impeccable track record as President and CEO for major corporations including Pizza Pizza, Goliger’s Travel, and Ryan’s Pet Foods. As President of Pizza Pizza Ltd., a major QSR chain based in Toronto, Ontario, Mr. Gillespie expanded the company from 16 franchised outlets to 130, and over $100 Million in system wide sales, largely by pioneering and… Show more Mr. Gillespie brings senior corporate expertise in licensing, legal, and royalty mechanisms to Sillenger Exploration. Since 1978, he has built an impeccable track record as President and CEO for major corporations including Pizza Pizza, Goliger’s Travel, and Ryan’s Pet Foods. As President of Pizza Pizza Ltd., a major QSR chain based in Toronto, Ontario, Mr. Gillespie expanded the company from 16 franchised outlets to 130, and over $100 Million in system wide sales, largely by pioneering and implementing a sophisticated computer system, while enabling accelerated business development.Mr. Gillespie earned the honor of being awarded “Executive of the Year” in 1987 by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) for his efforts in transforming the CFA into an organization dedicated to teaching and promoting ethical franchise methods and business practices. He also served as the organization’s Chairman from 1984 to 1986.In 1992, Mr. Gillespie purchased Ryan’s Pet Food, which he doubled in size by creating a franchise licensing system and adding new licensees to its corporate base. In 1988, in conjunction with a TSX-listed venture capital firm, Mr. Gillespie purchased a controlling interest in Goliger’s Travel, became its President, CEO & largest shareholder, as well as a strategic partner in other ventures and investments. Under his direction, Goliger’s became one of the largest independent travel companies in Canada, with 76 franchised agencies and sales of $125 Million.During the past decade, Mr. Gillespie has proven his skill set and foundations as a business strategist by engineering a wide range of solutions in real estate and land management, labor negotiations, legal frameworks, marketing and business development, administration, and rapid revenue growth.Mr. Gillespie’s considerable experience, combined with his licensing expertise, makes him the ideal leader for Sillenger’s exciting new business model for natural resource exploration and management. Show less

-Realigned the marketing fulfillment for the franchise outlets by centralizing stores and focusing onfulfillment companies; resulted in a 10% top-line sales increase in 2005. -Sourced and implemented a more efficient call centre software program that provided detailed data to enhance marketing development, identify buying patterns, monitor store performance, and highlight areas for improvements after tracking complaints. -Introduced a program to allow order taking agents to work… Show more -Realigned the marketing fulfillment for the franchise outlets by centralizing stores and focusing onfulfillment companies; resulted in a 10% top-line sales increase in 2005. -Sourced and implemented a more efficient call centre software program that provided detailed data to enhance marketing development, identify buying patterns, monitor store performance, and highlight areas for improvements after tracking complaints. -Introduced a program to allow order taking agents to work from home and operate independently with increased productivity, allowing Pizzaville additional flexibility at peak times, and reducing costs by 5%. -Instituted a successful “50 minute or free” policy through buy-in from the President/Owner and franchisees. -Conducted a comprehensive operational review, uncovering numerous cost efficiencies and the need for performance measurement. Prepared and submitted to owners significant operational changes. -Increased store sales on the Company Call Centre by over 22% comparing the First Quarter of 2008 to the First Quarter of 2006 (same store sales). -Instituted franchisees’ transaction fees generated during the transfer of a franchise’s ownership which has boosted cash flow and enhanced corporate brand by store upgrade. Show less

-Pivotal in reviewing the real estate status for over 400 locations across Canada; worked to reduce overheads and leasing costs and divested non-viable locations. -Developed and executed a co-brand/re-brand initiative to integrate the acquired Robins Donuts chain with 2 4 1 Pizza, reducing overheads while expanding menu choices. -Challenged with streamlining the dysfunctional North Bay call centre that was losing $1.3 million annually. -Conducted an operational audit uncovering… Show more -Pivotal in reviewing the real estate status for over 400 locations across Canada; worked to reduce overheads and leasing costs and divested non-viable locations. -Developed and executed a co-brand/re-brand initiative to integrate the acquired Robins Donuts chain with 2 4 1 Pizza, reducing overheads while expanding menu choices. -Challenged with streamlining the dysfunctional North Bay call centre that was losing $1.3 million annually. -Conducted an operational audit uncovering significant areas of improvement which reduced the annualized losses by $650,000. Reorganization process included: eliminating positions, renegotiating telecom charges, and training customer service representatives to maximize use of time and sales strategies.-Sourced and secured a new Toronto call centre which eliminated losses to create positive cash flow. -Created a database which managed leasing and franchise renewals and reduced real estate expenditures. Show less

Provided executive franchise advice on business development, legal, real estate leasing, and general business administration. Key contracts included: Sherwood Market: Reviewed and expanded on the emerging home meal replacement [HMR] product line, introducing andcreating unique marketing strategies for the independent grocery store.City Optical: Conducted a due diligence into franchising the company and placing outlets within Zellers allowing the company to expand with… Show more Provided executive franchise advice on business development, legal, real estate leasing, and general business administration. Key contracts included: Sherwood Market: Reviewed and expanded on the emerging home meal replacement [HMR] product line, introducing andcreating unique marketing strategies for the independent grocery store.City Optical: Conducted a due diligence into franchising the company and placing outlets within Zellers allowing the company to expand with minimal costs.Petra Group: Developed strategies for the Indonesian company to establish a North American Master Donut franchise in Indonesia.Barney’s Fine Foods: Performed a business revenue analysis on the company’s ‘HMR’ business and presented recommendations to senior management.Franchise Acceptance Corporation: Designed a business model for a highly successful Toronto entrepreneur starting a finance corporation aimed at funding franchisees. Show less

-Conceived and instituted the private label products for canine and feline dry pet food, one of the first in the industry (since replicated by other chains). -Doubled the chain by adding franchises to a corporate retail base.

-Instrumental in reengineering the company with disenchanted franchisees. Built synergy and enthusiasm among the franchisees to return the company to a viable and competitive entity. -Doubled sales and increased retail stores by 50%.

-Built the company into a 25 franchises business with a significant reputation across the GTA after securing $4 million in funding prior to launch through a Limited Partnership.

-Led the chain to become a recognizable force, propelling expansion from 16 to 130 stores.-Negotiated a no risk partnership with H.J. Heinz to fund expansion to break out of the Toronto market, with Pizza Pizza providing the expertise and funding obtained from the Federal Business Development Bank. -Accredited for delivering the following impressive average annual growth over 10 years: Average Unit 20%, Average Sales 43%, Average Profit 50%. -Boosted sales revenue from $4.4 million… Show more -Led the chain to become a recognizable force, propelling expansion from 16 to 130 stores.-Negotiated a no risk partnership with H.J. Heinz to fund expansion to break out of the Toronto market, with Pizza Pizza providing the expertise and funding obtained from the Federal Business Development Bank. -Accredited for delivering the following impressive average annual growth over 10 years: Average Unit 20%, Average Sales 43%, Average Profit 50%. -Boosted sales revenue from $4.4 million to $100 million.-Implemented creative marketing/operational strategies including the introduction of the ‘30 minutes or free’ program for the Canadian marketplace. -Realigned the call centre, introduced state-of-the-art technology, and negotiated collective agreements with the unionized staff. Show less