I am the founder and Managing Director of MSA Worldwide (“MSA”), a provider of domestic and international franchise advisory services. During my professional career, I have been a senior operations officer, financial executive and consultant for companies within the franchise, retail, restaurant, ...more

I am the founder and Managing Director of MSA Worldwide (“MSA”), a provider of domestic and international franchise advisory services. During my professional career, I have been a senior operations officer, financial executive and consultant for companies within the franchise, retail, restaurant, fine art, personal services, beauty and spa, healthcare, hospitality, education, and service industries. The International Franchise Association (“IFA”) has published that MSA Worldwide is “the leading strategic and tactical advisory firm in franchising.” MSA Worldwide has been awarded the Global Franchise Award for Best Franchise Consultancy for 2022 and 2023. MSA was the first recipient of the Hall of Fame Award by Franchise Update Media. MSA develops franchise systems for emerging franchisors and provides strategic advice and tactical services to established franchisors on a global basis. MSA provides other professional services including but not limited to manuals; training programs; franchisee recruitment and expansion strategies; mergers and acquisitions; litigation support; and change strategies for established companies. I have been qualified as an expert in franchising in Federal and State Courts and in Arbitrations. I have testified in cases involving franchising, licensing and labor for franchisors and franchisees in the United States and internationally. I am an an Adjunct Professor at The Ohio State University and teach a graduate course of studies on Commercial and Social Franchising. I have published numerous articles on franchising and am a frequent speaker. I am the author of Franchising for Dummies with my co-author, the late Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy’s International and Franchise Management for Dummies with my co-author Joyce Mazero, Partner, Polsinelli. MSA and the IFA have partnered to offer franchise education through the IFA's CFE Program. I serve on the IFA's Board of Directors. I had served on the IFA’s Board for over thirteen years and was the first professional ever directly elected to the IFA’s board. I also served on the IFA's Executive Committee. I am Past Chairman of the IFA's Supplier Forum. I am a member of the board and Chief Concept Officer of CFWshops, a social franchisor established to provide clinical services and essential medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa. I am on the Board of Directors of the William Rosenberg International Center of Franchising at the University of New Hampshire, and a Member of the External Advisory Board of The Ohio State University Global Water Institute.Iless