Patti Rother

Patti Rother is a distinguished leader in franchising with over 16 years of experience. Her current role is as president of Stay in Your Lane, a boutique franchise consulting company that focuses on transforming good brands into “CULT” brands. Before this, she held the position of president at Frios Gourmet Pops from 2021 to 2023, where she played a pivotal role in the company’s franchise development, marketing and innovation. Patti is known for her innovative approaches, particularly in the areas of franchise development and management. Her expertise covers franchise qualification, marketing, site selection, and franchisee support. Her career began in the food industry, working at Panera Bread and Noodles & Company in various roles, including general manager.

A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Patti has been actively involved in various initiatives, including contributing to articles and discussions on Hispanic Heritage Month and Pride Month. She’s also an active member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), serving on the Women’s Franchise Committee and the Franchising Pride Council, as well as co-chairing the Women’s Franchise Network task force. Patti has been recognized over the years with various awards, such as Franchising.com’s Female Fast Riser and Entrepreneur magazine’s Top Influential Women in Franchising.

Her personal life is equally enriching, being a proud Latina, LGBTQ+ advocate, wife, and mother of two daughters. She resides in Colorado with her family and when not working, she enjoys gardening, a hobby that reflects her multifaceted talents. Patti attributes much of her success to her empathetic nature and her ability to read people well, which she considers her superpower. She believes in treating people kindly and disrupting traditional sales and operations methods in franchising, making her a unique and respected figure in her field.