PLANNING FOR GROWTH

PEOPLE SOLUTIONSFacilitator- Robert Branca –CEO, Branded Management Group (Dunkin’ Donuts, 70+ units)

Panelists - Charles Smithgall, III – CEO, Aaron’s Inc. ( Aaron’s Furniture, 100+ units)Michael Kulp – CEO, KPB Foods (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, 300+ units)Roland Spongberg – CEO, WKS Restaurant Group (Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Corner Bakery,

105+ units)

“Get the right people on the bus,

the wrong people off the bus, and

the right people in the right seats.”

Author Jim Collins:

Robert Branca, Jr., is President, General Counsel, and Director of Development for entities including Branded Realty Company and Batista Management Corp., doing business in Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and Florida.

Hometown is Boston, Massachusetts.

Chair of Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owners PAC and the Vice Chair of the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition of Franchisee Associations.

Owns and operates nearly 70 Dunkin’ Donuts and 5 Baskin-Robbins

Currently expanding his Dunkin’ Donuts and real estate businesses into the Midwest and also developing new concepts, which is intended to franchise.

Recently recognized for his significant historic renovation projects and community contributions in Massachusetts.

Robert Branca

Roland Spongberg founded WKS Restaurant Group and became a franchisee of El Pollo Loco, Inc. in 1987.

Hometown is Long Beach, California.

Owns and operates 105 restaurants in 7 states, including El Pollo Loco, Denny’s, Corner Bakery Café and Krispy Kreme.

Employing over 3000 people corporate wide. 

Roland has been honored by the International Franchise Association as Franchisee of the Year.

Has been given the Denny’s A+ Achievement Award for “Leadership in Achieving Excellence.” 

Roland serves on the El Pollo Loco Charities Board.

President of the Long Beach Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

Roland Spongberg

Charles Smithgall is currently Chairman and CEO of SEI/Aaron’s Found on April 1, 1995. Hometown is Atlanta, Georgia. SEI opened their first Aaron’s store on November 29, 1995 and

subsequently developed 8 stores in the Kentucky/Indiana area before expanding to New England in 1999.

SEI/Aaron’s, has continued to open stores in the New England states, as well as acquiring stores from Aaron’s, Inc. which currently operates 105 stores in 10 states.

SEI/Aaron’s is the largest Aaron’s franchisee

Charles Smithgall

President/CEO of KBP Foods.

Hometown is Kansas City

Under his direction, KBP has grown from $7 million to $260 million in annual revenue over a 12-year period and is ranked among the 10 fastest-growing restaurant companies in the country.

Michael serves on the National KFC advisory board, is the chair of the national operations subcommittee, and sits on the national marketing committee.

Also serves on a franchise advisory board to Yum! Brands, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and is a member of the board of directors at Fresh Alternatives, a holding company that owns and operates fast casual restaurants in Florida.

Michael holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from University of Colorado and Colorado Mesa University, and also played collegiate-level athletics.

Michael and his wife Stephanie have dedicated their time and talent to many philanthropic efforts, such as First Downs for Down Syndrome organization and the Truman Medical Health and Wellness Center.

Michael Kulp