GARY OCCHIOGROSSO

Strategic Development, Sales Planning & Executive Coaching

• Founder & Managing Partner – Franchise Growth Solutions, LLC.
• Adjunct Instructor – NYU – Business and Concept Development, Entrepreneurship and Franchising.
• Contributing Writer – Forbes.com
• Recognized Top 25 Fast Casual Restaurant Exec’s in the USA by Fast Casual Magazine
• Winner of “The Executive Management Award” 2014 by SmartCEO Magazine
• Radio Talk Show Host – AM970TheAnswer – Small Business and Franchise show
• Speaker and Panelist Capital Roundtable – NYC Symposium of Franchising and Private Equity Investment
• Reoccurring Presenter & Speaker – IFA/IFE Franchise Expos
• Presenter & Speaker at National Press Club, Washington DC

FRED J KIRVAN

Operational Systems & Manual Development

Fred started in the franchise business in 1991. Working with the founder of Desert Moon Fresh Mexican Grille he developed the operating systems and grew the company from a single unit into a multi state, 30 unit franchised brand. In 2008 he became President of Desert Moon remaining in that role until 2013

Mr. Kirvan was then recruited as the Chief Operating Officer for TRUFOODS, LLC. a 100 unit, multi brand franchise company that included Pudgie’s, Wall Street Deli, Ritter’s Frozen Custard and Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips.

Upon leaving TRUFOODS he became VP of Operations for Energy Kitchen; a NYC based fast casual chain which pioneered the “healthy alternative”  space before leaving to launch an early learning & play center business “Moozie’s Play Cafe” with his wife.

Working in a variety of capacities in food and non food business’ Mr. Kirvan’s experience in systems development, writing manuals, brand connectivity, purchasing and construction project management have proven invaluable assets to start up & emerging brands.

Currently Kirvan Consulting works to develop a full suite of Confidential Franchise Manuals which include Operations, Managing the Business, C&D and other critical Job Aids and Training Tools necessary to grow and enhance the process of developing successful franchisees.

AIMEE KIRVAN

Franchise Development Specialist

Franchise, Sales, Brand, Business, Expansion, Consultant

Aimee is the co-founder of Kirvan Consulting, a Franchise Development and Sales Organization. Aimee has been involved in the franchised restaurant industry for 20-plus years, working in various capacities. She currently manages the Franchise Sales division for her company. Her portfolio of past and present clients include start-up and emerging brands in the restaurant, service, and education sectors.

Aimee was awarded the 2022 Franchisor Broker Award.

CAMILA MOJICA

Executive Assistant

Camila Mojica Guarín is a results-driven marketing and communications professional with experience leading digital strategies for U.S.-based companies in the financial, outsourcing, and franchise sectors. With a background in International Marketing and a diploma in Leadership, Innovation, and Design Thinking from the University of Salamanca, she combines strategic vision with hands-on creative execution.

Currently serving as Administrative ASSISTANT & Marketing Specialist, Camila has built and executed multi-channel campaigns across social media, email marketing, and paid media. She is skilled in content creation, CRM management, and community engagement, with a passion for helping brands grow their digital presence and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

Camila is fluent in English and Spanish, with a working knowledge of Korean, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Commercial Management and Marketing at Sergio Arboleda University. Known for her clarity, creativity, and commitment to excellence, she brings leadership, empathy, and strategic insight to every project she leads.

SARAH CONROY

Franchise Development Specialist

Sarah Conroy is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Marketing. She has over 20 years of in-depth and extensive marketing, sales and business development experience in the franchising industry. Her ability to assess clients strengths and unite them with the appropriate concept enables her to negotiate effectively and secure sales.

Conroy’s excellent interpersonal and communication skills enhance her ability to build and maintain solid professional relationships and exceed sales goals. She prides herself in providing outstanding customer service and conscientious follow-up in order to secure deals. She is dedicated to developing new business opportunities and growing the profitability and market share of her clients.

ALICIA MILLER

Private Equity/Strategic Advisor

Franchising expert who leverages her experience as a former franchisee and business owner to advise both franchisors and private equity firms. Through her firm, Emergent Growth Advisors, she helps businesses navigate growth challenges and guides investors on strategy and value creation. A recognized thought leader, Alicia has authored a book on franchising and contributes to industry publications. Her extensive education and certifications solidify her position as a trusted advisor in the franchising and private equity space.

SEAN MCKAY

Website Development & Lead Generation

Sean McKay is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Site Hub, a Rochester, NY-based web design and marketing agency that specializes in empowering small to medium-sized businesses. The agency has received numerous accolades, including several AMA Awards, MarCom Awards, and four GREAT Awards for best web development. Under Sean’s leadership, Site Hub has achieved unparalleled success, delivering results that exceed client expectations. The agency’s most notable accomplishment includes a partnership with the CDC, achieving 200% of the established goals while staying under budget.

Prior to Site Hub, Sean served as a Cyber Security Analyst, where he led security audits and vulnerability assessments. He also held various professional sales positions, equipping him with exceptional communication skills. Sean has more than a decade of experience leading marketing teams for clients with annual revenues ranging from $1MM to $30MM.

LAURIE HILLARD

Content Writer

Laurie Hillard, partner in Franchise Communication Solutions with Nannette Fevola, is a creative strategist and marketing professional with over 30 years of diverse experience working in corporate creative management positions and as a creative consultant. Her professional credentials include Avon Products, Disney Worldwide Publishing, Time Inc. Reader’s Digest, AIG Private Client Group, American Express Publishing, Time Warner Cable and host of contract projects for entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. Whether working with Fortune 500 giants or small business clients, she partners with clients to identify and create marketing solutions that build brands, increase revenue, generate new business, promote product/service sales, and build customer experiences and relationships across marketing platforms: traditional marketing, digital, and social media.

Ms. Hilliard serves franchise clients by developing time-sensitive communication strategies and solutions that position the brand, keep it top of mind among members of the trade press, aid in lead generation, and help impact franchise sales.

Franchise Communication Solutions offers one-on-one strategic planning and turnkey marketing services; taking business-to-business and business-to-consumer projects from ideation to execution including research, professional copy and design, and production. Services are available on a monthly retainer or project basis from an a la carte menu of services including communication strategy, rebranding, and brand development, corporate communication and PR, branded content, website evaluation, and content sales and marketing collateral.

NANNETTE FEVOLA

Content Writer

Nannette is a sought after NYC marketer. She has an established record of achievement and success conceiving and executing revenue-generating marketing programs for brands in highly competitive markets. Excellent written and oral communication skills. She’s established a proven track record of driving revenue with innovative integrated programs. Nannette has managed high performing marketing, creative services, merchandising and event teams with companies such as Playboy Intl., Newsday and Hearst Media. Her writing and marketing skills are second to none.

GREGORY CARAFELLO

Resale Business Broker

Established in 1994, First Choice Business Brokers has grown to become one of the largest organizations in the U.S. specializing in business sales. We have listed and managed the sale of over $7.5 billion in businesses for sale. Buyers and sellers alike can enjoy the accessibility and expertise of a national network of professional business brokers and the largest inventory of businesses available for sale.

Gregory Carafello, CFE, is Principal Business Broker for First Choice Business Brokers of Manhattan and CEO of Executive Franchise Group, LLC. A franchising industry veteran, Carafello has extensive experience as a master franchisee for several additional leading brands, and currently serves as the first Area Representative for FastSigns, Inc – representing the 5 boroughs of New York City, Master Franchisee for Cartridge World with over 80 stores in eight states and President and Principal Broker for First Choice Business Brokers of New York City.

He began his career more than 37 years ago at Canon as a copier sales trainee, and rose through the ranks to become their youngest branch director at the age of 26. He and his wife went on to found their own company, AbraCadabra Color Copy Centers, which he sold after nearly two decades in business to focus on his franchising endeavors. Mr. Carafello is also a Certified Franchise Executive – the ICFE program certifies the highest standards of quality and training for those who complete the certification program. The now global CFE program is administered by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE), whose mission is to enhance the professionalism of franchising by certifying the highest standards of quality training and education. Greg resides in North Jersey with his wife Christine where they raised 4 children.

CHRIS VISKUP

Resale Business Broker

As an experienced broker with Transworld Business Advisors, I help my clients buy and sell businesses every day.  Since the task of buying or selling a business can be overwhelming without the proper guidance and skills, my goal is to make the process as smooth as possible.

When you choose to hire me, you will also get access to our whole network of experienced brokers. Over the years, our M&A team has helped thousands of companies around the world with the buying and selling process while ensuring our client’s confidentiality every step of the way. Whatever type of business you are considering selling or buying, chances are, we’ve sold it.

ADAM ROBINSON

Funding Consultant

As a Funding Consultant at Benetrends Financial, Adam specializes in empowering entrepreneurs to realize their business goals through innovative funding solutions. With a deep passion for the franchise industry, he brings extensive knowledge and expertise in financing strategies designed to help businesses grow and succeed.

Combining a strong understanding of the financial landscape with a commitment to personalized service, Adam ensures that each client receives tailored funding solutions that align with their unique needs. In the dynamic world of franchising, he is dedicated to building long-term relationships and supporting clients throughout their journey—from initial concept to fully established enterprise.

Adam’s proven track record in facilitating effective funding campaigns reflects his ability to navigate complex financial environments and deliver impactful outcomes for both entrepreneurs and franchisees.

BEEGEES HEBERT

Funding consultant

DAVID SIMMONDS

Franchisee Site Selection & Demographic Research

David Simmonds founded ResoluteRE in January of 2009 and has since built ‍a massive, international, 3rd-party, brokerage platform. RS has 6 offices across Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin/San Antonio, McAllen, Midland & El Paso), and services the great states of Louisiana out our Lafayette office, and New Mexico out of our office in Albuquerque.

Retail Solutions represents over 40 tenants nationally, in Mexico and in Canada. We have the ability to service our clients’ expansion needs anywhere in the United States and in 77 countries around the globe.

Retail Solutions markets over 850 projects and exclusively represents over 300 tenants regionally across Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana.

David is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Columbia College/Columbia University in New York City.

MARIA COYLE

Uniforms and Promotional Products

Maria Coyle is our promotional products expert. She can help you find unique ways to grow your franchise by recommending the right personalized items to promote your business. The Imprint Source is your one-stop source for imprinted promotional products. We assist the restaurant and food industry launch their businesses with grand opening items, giveaways, uniforms and thank you gifts. We take pride in our work, and believe in value, service, and quality and customer satisfaction. We are also a WBE (Women Business Enterprise) certified company and can fulfill your contracting needs.

Our customers consistently tell us they rely on the prompt service we provided. Here are a few comments from our happy clients:

“Thank you again for all of your extra effort in helping us get the perfect cup for our group.” – Catherine, Executive Assistant

“You have been such a pleasure to work with and so understanding and accommodating for all our last-minute orders. I can’t thank you enough for putting up with us!” – Sheri, Special Events Coordinator

HAROLD KESTENBAUM, ESQ.

Franchise Attorney

HAROLD L. KESTENBAUM is a franchise attorney who has specialized in franchise law and other matters relating to franchising since 1977. From May 1982 until September 1986, Harold served as franchise and general counsel to Sbarro, Inc., the national franchisor of more than 1,000 family-style Italian restaurants and, was a director from March 1985 to December 2006. From September 1983 to October 1989, he served as president and chairman of the board of FranchiseIt Corporation, the first publicly traded company specializing in providing business franchise marketing and consulting services and equity financing to emerging franchise companies, which he co-founded. Harold has authored the first book dedicated to the entrepreneur who wants to franchise his/her business, called So You Want To Franchise Your Business. It is a step-by-step guide to what a businessperson needs to know and do to properly roll out a franchise program. Harold’s book is available at major book stores and on Amazon.com or you can click here for more info on his book “So you Want to Franchise Your Business”

Harold has served as a franchise attorney to many regional, national and international franchise companies in many diverse industries.

Harold’s expertise in business franchise consulting is enhanced by his practical experience in serving as the chief executive officer of a national franchisor and in serving as director of numerous nationally and internationally known franchisors; experiences that are rare and unique in the area of franchise business law.

TOM SPADEA

Franchise Attorney

Experience:

Tom Spadea spent more than 15 years in corporate and entrepreneurial positions before completing law school at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. His undergraduate degree is in finance from Marquette University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Tom is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a non-legal designation earned from the International Franchise Association. He has also been named a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times, a distinguished award recognizing Tom as a leader among his peers in franchising.

Tom is the founding member of the Philadelphia Franchise Association and is the current President and Chairman. The Philadelphia Franchise Association holds quarterly networking and educational meetings, bringing together franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers.

Focus:

Tom has been lead counsel for dozens of new franchise launches and has assisted franchisors and franchisees alike with a variety of legal issues, including private equity transactions, litigation, trademarks, partnerships, and real estate deals.

Background:

Tom’s entrepreneurial background goes back to the 1990’s when he was the co-owner and President of a communications equipment manufacturer where he co-founded a factory in Latin America, successfully created an international sales network in Asia and invented a product for which he was granted a US Patent.

Tom’s next move was into the franchising world working as a Franchise and Business Broker for Sunbelt of Philadelphia. He acted as an adviser to clients looking to transition into the ownership of a franchise or the purchase or sale of an existing small business. As a business intermediary, Tom handled dozens of transactions every year, ranging from listing businesses for sale to recruiting buyers. His specialty was negotiating transactions that satisfied all stakeholders.

It was while Tom was a broker that he decided to pursue his legal education. Balancing law school and a young family, Tom also managed to hold senior executive positions for multiple national franchise concepts throughout law school including a 100-unit fast casual restaurant chain; a franchised chain of over 400 supplemental education centers; and a 500-unit retail chain of franchised frozen dessert restaurants.

Passion:

Thanks to his background as an entrepreneur and a corporate franchise executive, Tom has a unique perspective as a franchise and business lawyer. When combined with his experience and acumen as a lawyer, he can vigorously defend his client’s legal rights without losing sight of their business goals. Tom understands franchising from the inside, giving his clients valuable counsel to help them map out and meet their business objectives.

More important and valuable, however, to any of Tom’s professional accomplishments is the time he gets to spend with his wife and their two children.

EVAN GOLDMAN

Franchise Attorney

BRETT BUTERICK

Franchise Attorney

MIKE EINBINDER

Franchise Attorney

RICHARD BAYER

Franchise Attorney

LANE FISHER

Franchise Attorney

SAMMY REESE

Architect/Prototype Development

RON SORIANO

General Contractor/Construction Specialist