franchise development

23 03, 2026

Fransmart Appoints Sara Schmillen as Chief Marketing Officer

2026-03-23T22:26:11-04:00March 23rd, 2026|Tags: , , |

Schmillen leads an all-women marketing team in brand strategy and franchise development support for emerging franchise concepts

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Fransmart, the global leader in franchise development, has announced the appointment of Sara Schmillen as Chief Marketing Officer. Schmillen brings more than two decades of marketing leadership experience in the restaurant and franchise industries, with a proven track record of building high-impact brands and driving measurable growth.

In her new role, Schmillen will oversee the marketing strategy across Fransmart’s portfolio of restaurant and retail franchise brands, further strengthening the company’s position as the premier growth engine for emerging franchise concepts.

“I am thrilled to join Fransmart at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution,” said Schmillen. “As CMO, I am looking forward to helping our emerging brands stand out, share their unique stories, and attract the best-in-class franchisees who will bring these concepts to life across the country.”

Notably, Schmillen leads an all-women marketing department at Fransmart, an achievement the company is proud to highlight during Women’s History Month. The team includes marketing leaders across brand strategy and franchise development support, reflecting Fransmart’s commitment to empowering female leadership and fostering diverse perspectives.

“Bringing Sara on board is a major milestone for Fransmart,” said Dan Rowe, founder and CEO of Fransmart. “Her deep experience in scaling iconic brands and her ability to build and inspire high-performing teams make her the ideal leader to take our marketing efforts to the next level.”

Prior to Fransmart, Schmillen held senior marketing roles with leading restaurant brands, including her tenure as Head of Marketing and Vice President of Marketing at Kahala Brands, where she led national campaigns for globally recognized concepts such as Cold Stone Creamery. Most recently, she served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer at Snooze Eatery.

To learn more about Fransmart and its portfolio of emerging franchise concepts, visit www.fransmart.com.

About Fransmart:
Fransmart is the global leader in franchise development, selling over 5,000 franchises worldwide and turning emerging restaurant concepts into national and global brands for 20 years. Company Founder Dan Rowe identified and grew brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries, QDOBA Mexican Grill and The Halal Guys from 1–5-unit businesses to the powerhouse chains they are today. Fransmart’s current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened thousands of restaurants globally. Fransmart and their partner brands are committed to franchise development growth. Follow Fransmart on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For more information, visit www.fransmart.com.

23 11, 2025

BELFOR Franchise Group’s Beth Toenies Named 2025 Woman of Inspiration™ by Universal Womens Network™

2025-11-23T17:47:08-05:00November 23rd, 2025|Tags: , , |

Annual awards honor trailblazers who provide inspiration and leadership within their respective fields

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Beth Toenies, vice president of franchise development for BELFOR Franchise Group, has been recognized as a 2025 Woman of Inspiration™ by the Universal Womens Network™. The award honors exceptional women across North America who lead, inspire and motivate others through their professional and personal achievements. A ceremony, held in Toronto, brought together women from numerous industries, celebrating their accomplishments and their impact.

Nominated by BELFOR managers in both the United States and Canada, Toenies joins an elite group of honorees representing diverse industries, from executives and entrepreneurs to creators, athletes and business leaders, all of whom exemplify resilience, innovation and leadership.

“Franchising is such an empowering path for women; it opens doors to leadership, growth and the chance to truly make a difference,” said Toenies. “BELFOR Franchise Group continues to champion opportunities for women in franchising, helping entrepreneurs across North America build sustainable, community-focused businesses. This award reflects that spirit, and attests to the potential for women to lead and succeed in the franchising space. Of course, many men are broadly supportive of this focus, as well.”

With over two decades of experience in franchise development and leadership, Toenies is a Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Project Manager whose accomplishments continue to elevate the franchising community. Her recent accolades include being named a 2025 American Business Awards Bronze Stevie® Winner for Woman of the Year – Business Services, a 2023 Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Construction and Civil Works (2025) by Women We Admire.

“Beth’s leadership and passion for empowering others have made a lasting impact across our organization,” said Doug Smith, senior vice president of franchise development at BELFOR Franchise Group. “She exemplifies the values we strive to uphold every day, always serving others and creating platforms for their success.”

BELFOR Franchise Group is a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor, with decades of experience empowering aspiring business owners to create resilient companies. Their brand portfolio encompasses fields as diverse as contents restoration, pest control, drywall repair and plumbing.

For more information about BELFOR Franchise Group, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

For more information about the Women of Inspiration awards, visit
https://universalwomensnetwork.com/women-inspiration.

About BELFOR Franchise Group

BELFOR Franchise Group is a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor. For decades, their franchise brands have empowered entrepreneurs by offering strong business models, industry-leading training, and ongoing business coaching to help local owners succeed. As the parent organization to a diverse portfolio of service-based franchises, BELFOR Franchise Group provides opportunities across home services, commercial cleaning, and restoration industries. The franchise brands include 1-800-BOARDUP1-800 WATER DAMAGEBlue Kangaroo PackoutzChem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery CleaningClear Pest ProsCOOL-BINZ, DUCTZHelpful HeroesHOODZJUNKCO+N-Hance Wood RefinishingThe Patch Boysredbox+ Dumpsters,  WINMAR, and Z PLUMBERZ. For more information, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

11 10, 2025

Six BELFOR Franchise Group brands earn spots on 2025 Franchise Times Top 400® List

2025-10-11T19:11:06-04:00October 11th, 2025|Tags: , , |

Chem-Dry, HOODZ, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, N-Hance, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz and DUCTZ honored for
national, systemwide sales

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — BELFOR Franchise Group, a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor, announces that six of its brands have been recognized on the Franchise Times Top 400® list for 2025. The honored brands include Chem-DryHOODZ1-800 WATER DAMAGEN-HanceBlue Kangaroo Packoutz and DUCTZ.

The Franchise Times Top 400® is an exclusive annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems, determined by global systemwide sales and compiled through an extensive research and reporting process.

This year’s recognition marks the second consecutive year that six BELFOR Franchise Group brands have earned a place among the nation’s top-performing franchise systems, highlighting the group’s consistent growth and leadership in the home service industry.

“Our brands continue to set the standard in their respective industries by delivering service excellence, professionalism and reliability,” said D’Wayne Tanner and Beth Toenies, Vice Presidents of Franchise Development. “Repeat recognition on this list affirms that our franchise family is meeting real needs, not only for consumers but for entrepreneurs seeking a supportive franchise environment.”

The community of franchises at BELFOR Franchise Group brings together a portfolio of established and growing brands that serve both residential and commercial markets with essential services. Its franchise platform equips aspiring business owners with the tools to get started confidently — offering comprehensive training, ongoing operational guidance and a suite of marketing resources designed to enable long-term success.

“From our hands-on training facilities to our internal marketing solutions, we aim to empower our franchisees with the guidance needed to grow at their own pace,” Tanner and Toenies explained. “Our ongoing, dedicated support provides the foundation for the strong performance seen across our franchise network year-after-year.”

For the complete Franchise Times Top 400 list, visit https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2025.

For more information about BELFOR Franchise Group, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

About BELFOR Franchise Group

BELFOR Franchise Group is a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor. For decades, their franchise brands have empowered entrepreneurs by offering strong business models, industry-leading training, and ongoing business coaching to help local owners succeed. As the parent organization to a diverse portfolio of service-based franchises, BELFOR Franchise Group provides opportunities across home services, commercial cleaning, and restoration industries. The franchise brands include 1-800-BOARDUP1-800 WATER DAMAGEBlue Kangaroo PackoutzChem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery CleaningClear Pest ProsCOOL-BINZ, DUCTZHelpful HeroesHOODZJUNKCO+N-Hance Wood RefinishingThe Patch Boysredbox+ Dumpsters,  WINMAR, and Z PLUMBERZ. For more information, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

30 09, 2025

2025 FranServe Convention Marks Most Successful Event Yet

2025-10-03T17:05:03-04:00September 30th, 2025|Tags: , , |

The annual FranServe Convention and Expo, held July 20-23 at Walt Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Florida, was the organization’s most successful event to date. With the theme “Big Roars, Bigger Rewards,” the event featured a welcome reception, exclusive training seminars, dinner and fireworks at EPCOT, expert panels, a costume contest and even a dinosaur race!

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30 09, 2025

There’s Something Powerful About It

2026-01-31T20:35:57-05:00September 30th, 2025|Tags: , , |

Recently I came across a post by Janice Durant, a Certified Franchise Consultant with FranServe, that read: “There’s something powerful about being surrounded by driven leaders, impactful success stories, and people who truly love what they do. It’s a clear reminder: when the right people, systems, and support come together, big things happen.”  This quote was in direct reference to the 2025 FranServe Convention and Expo, held in July at Walt Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort in Orlando. By Don Clayton

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30 09, 2025

Featured Franchise Consultant: Beth Butler

2025-09-30T16:39:54-04:00September 30th, 2025|Tags: , , |

Beth Butler’s career path has been anything but conventional. From serving in the U.S. Air Force to becoming a powerhouse in the franchising world, her professional life has been defined by bold moves, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to helping others find their own success. By Jessica Petrucelli

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14 09, 2025

BELFOR Franchise Group promotes Beth Toenies to Vice President of Franchise Development

2025-09-14T17:00:53-04:00September 14th, 2025|Tags: , , |

The industry veteran will maintain her concurrent role as Chief Operating Officer for 1-800-BOARDUP

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — BELFOR Franchise Group, a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor, has announced the promotion of Beth Toenies to Vice President of Franchise Development. In this expanded role, she will lead operational strategy, strengthen franchise support and drive the continued growth of 1-800-BOARDUP, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz and DUCTZ, as well as the broader portfolio of service brands within BELFOR Franchise Group.

Toenies currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of 1-800-BOARDUP, a disaster recovery brand within BELFOR Franchise Group that specializes in securing properties and providing critical resources to victims rebuilding after a loss. She will continue in this capacity while also assuming her expanded role within BELFOR Franchise Group.

“Beth has consistently demonstrated loyalty, leadership and vision,” said Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group. “Her expertise in operations, sales and strategic planning will make her an invaluable partner to our development team and franchise prospects as we continue to expand and strengthen our brands.”

As Vice President of Franchise Development, Toenies will drive greater efficiencies in franchise lead generation and development, while working closely with her counterparts and brand presidents to establish frameworks that drive long-term, sustainable growth.

With more than two decades of franchise leadership experience, Toenies is also a Six Sigma Black Belt and a Certified Project Manager. Her achievements have been widely recognized: She is the 2025 American Business Awards Bronze Stevie Winner for Woman of the Year – Business Services, a 2023 Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was recently named among the Top 50 Women Leaders in Construction and Civil Works (2025) by Women We Admire.

“At BELFOR Franchise Group, we’ve built an incredible reputation for empowering entrepreneurs across the residential and commercial service industries,” said Toenies. “In taking on these new responsibilities, I look forward to working closely with our experienced franchise development team in connecting with the right candidates and demonstrating how our trusted service brands can enable them to take control of their future through franchise ownership.”

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Toenies is a dedicated military spouse. Married to an active-duty Navy member, she was honored in 2022 as the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Military Spouse of the Year by Armed Forces Insurance.

For more information about BELFOR Franchise Group, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

About BELFOR Franchise Group

BELFOR Franchise Group is a leading global residential and commercial services franchisor. For decades, their franchise brands have empowered entrepreneurs by offering strong business models, industry-leading training, and ongoing business coaching to help local owners succeed. As the parent organization to a diverse portfolio of service-based franchises, BELFOR Franchise Group provides opportunities across home services, commercial cleaning, and restoration industries. The franchise brands include 1-800-BOARDUP1-800 WATER DAMAGEBlue Kangaroo PackoutzChem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery CleaningClear Pest ProsCOOL-BINZ, DUCTZHelpful HeroesHOODZJUNKCO+N-Hance Wood RefinishingThe Patch Boysredbox+ Dumpsters,  WINMAR, and Z PLUMBERZ. For more information, visit belforfranchisegroup.com.

31 03, 2025

FranServe, Inc.: One Size Does Not Fit All

2025-03-31T20:54:23-04:00March 31st, 2025|Tags: , , |

When Alex Sabbagh started his career in the staffing and recruiting industry, he quickly developed a passion for matching people with great job opportunities and careers. So, when he was presented with an opportunity to work as part of the franchise development team for a leading company in the commercial cleaning space, he jumped at the chance. By Jessica Petrucelli

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