From humble beginnings to extraordinary milestones.
With decades of experience in franchise expansion strategies and business development, FCG is here to assist you in your progress moving forward.
Our mission
First, we determine whether the business can be franchised and, if so, show them how to do it.
Then, we work with stakeholders across the franchising community to brainstorm solutions under the guidance of outside professionals.
The challenge
We take seriously the obligation of both parties to the relationship in order to achieve their mutual objectives.
While the primary objective of any franchisor is to maximize profits and expand its system, this can only be achieved if the franchisee profits as well.
The structuring and continuous growth of a franchise organization is key.
Our people
FCG’s team is made up of people who strongly believe in the franchise concept.
The tremendous growth of franchising has taken place because the majority of companies have taken their commitment and responsibilities seriously. The financial rewards can be substantial if franchisor and franchisee work together towards their common goals.
What’s next
The concept must be built on a foundation of equal concern for the franchisor, the franchisee and the consumer.
It is our business to structure new franchise companies and to assist in dealing with the myriad of problems that are a continuing part of any franchise organization.
Edward Kushell
As President and CEO of FCG, Kushell is also former franchisor of over 400 very successful franchises, a franchisee of multiple units in the fast food business, a Past President of the International Franchise Association, a member of the Board of Directors of several known franchise companies and consultant to nearly 1,000 companies either engaged in or contemplating franchising. He has been retained as an Expert Witness in nearly 100 franchise or franchise related cases.
John Hodgdon
John has been advising companies and individuals on strategic, financial, marketing and operating matters since 1987. His responsibilities include project management, strategic business planning for early stage as well as established franchisors, analysis of organizations on a unit, segment, and consolidated reporting basis, and financial planning and forecasting. He has developed one of the most sophisticated franchisee and franchisor modeling and forecasting templates in the industry and has particular expertise in business valuation methods.
Rex Washburn
For over 25 years Rex has been providing consulting services to both start up and mature franchise systems. His primary expertise is in the areas of restaurant operations, other hospitality industries, fitness and construction related concepts, to name some. His experience covers the United States, Asia, The Middle East and Europe as well as throughout the United States. He has performed evaluations of existing franchise networks and created conversion plans for dealerships, distributors and other non-franchised networks.
Cheri Carroll
With over 30 years of experience in franchising, Cheri has not only provided consulting to both start-up and mature franchises but as a member of Senior Management for a major restaurant franchisor, she has functioned on both sides of franchising. As a franchise consultant she is an expert in development of franchise business models, operations systems and creation of distinct and functional franchise operations manuals. She has also had considerable experience in franchise development.
Elizabeth Hunt
One of the most diversified consultants on our team, ElizabethClare has over 25 years experience in finance, auditing, management and IT. She began her career as a CPA and was the first woman auditor hired by Arthur Anderson & Co in Los Angeles. Recruited by the White House, she was appointed Deputy Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Washington D.C. Thereafter she returned to CA, joined MCA, was Vice President of Universal Pictures, a corporate officer of the parent company and responsible for finance of both film and television.
Jim McPhee
The last 10 years of Jim’s extensive franchise experience has been as a consultant involved in strategic planning and best practices for mature and early stage franchise companies. He is one of the country’s leading experts in real estate franchising and has held senior management positions with Century 21 Real Estate and has also been CEO of one of the largest franchise networks in personal care services.