The Former WellBiz Brands CEO has Track Record of Driving Growth
American Family Care, an urgent care franchise with 400 locations nationwide, has named Jeremy Morgan CEO. Morgan succeeds long-time CEO Randy Johansen, who will transition into an advisory role as he retires following three decades of service. American Family Care also welcomed David Prokupek, former CEO of Ideal Image, Jackson Hewitt and Smashburger, as executive chairman of its board of directors.
“AFC occupies a unique space in franchising, as health care has relatively few franchise players. By building the largest urgent care brand, AFC has created a model where franchisees achieve success nationwide,” Morgan said. “Health care is a cornerstone of the economy, and franchising plays a critical role, as well. Combining these two elements has the potential to transform industries. AFC is setting the standard for health care franchising, paving the way for future concepts and innovations.”
David Berman, co-founder and managing director of Lorient Capital, AFC’s private equity sponsor, said Morgan and Prokupek bring the perfect blend of energy and experience to the urgent care franchise. “Their leadership will help ensure AFC remains the trusted choice for patients and will aid in driving value for franchisees and communities alike,” Berman said. “Randy’s vision and dedication over the past 32 years have transformed AFC from a handful of urgent care clinics into one of the nation’s top urgent care brands. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and look forward to his continued guidance as an advisor.”
Lessons from Franchising
Morgan’s introduction to franchising came in 2010 when he led the marketing team at Smashburger. “That was an invaluable experience in rapid growth and expansion, collaborating with franchisees across markets, understanding the nuances of the business model and recognizing the importance of strong relationships between franchisors and franchisees for long-term success,” he said.
Morgan also has served in leadership roles with Tava Kitchen and WellBiz Brands. During his seven-plus years at WellBiz Brands, he grew the beauty and wellness platform to almost 900 locations and $700 million in systemwide revenue. “This experience with growth brands, franchisees, founders and private equity prepared me to lead AFC as it embarks on its next chapter, moving beyond its founder-driven era,” he said.
Morgan said his top priorities as CEO of AFC include setting a vision and building a team. “While the strategic side of leadership is exciting, execution is equally critical. Aligning people around common goals and ensuring priorities are delivered with excellence is paramount,” he said. “My leadership philosophy revolves around experimentation and adaptability. Try new things, and if something works, double down. If it doesn’t, pivot quickly. In a growth-focused, franchise-driven environment, a nimble, optimistic leadership team is essential to capitalize on opportunities and overcome challenges.”
About American Family Care
Founded in 1982, AFC is the nation’s largest provider of urgent care, generating more than $1 billion in systemwide sales annually, with 3,500 highly trained health care professionals treating more than 4 million patients annually. The urgent care franchise provides treatments for flu, allergies and everyday injuries, along with a comprehensive range of lab tests, x-rays and occupational medicine services.
About Lorient Capital
Lorient Capital is a private investment firm focused exclusively on health care service and technology companies. The private investment firm works with founders and management teams to drive growth, optimize operations and improve health care outcomes.
