Jeff Galletly’s Appointment Comes Amid the Fast-Casual Franchise’s Expansive Growth
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a fast-casual dumpling restaurant franchise, has named Jeff Galletly as its first-ever chief executive officer. In this role, the franchising veteran will lead operations in current locations across North America and focus on the fast-casual brand’s growth and development, franchise expansion and culinary innovation. The announcement comes amid expansive growth for the fast-casual franchise, including the launch of an updated point-of-sale system and the opening of a shop in Calgary, Alberta, which is the first of a 100-unit Canadian master franchise deal.
Galletly said he was initially drawn to Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s great food and growth potential. “It’s an honor to take the reins of a founder-led business. The founding team members here have poured their hearts into Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, and I treat it as an enormous responsibility to drive the brand forward, for them and for all of our franchisees counting on us.”
Robert Cummins, founding partner of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, said he is excited to see where Galletly takes the fast-casual franchise. “We’re thrilled to hand the keys of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop to such a proven industry force. Jeff’s extensive leadership with legacy brands will drive our company into our new era and beyond.”
All in the Family
Galletly got his start in franchising when he joined Restaurant Brands International (RBI) as part of Burger King’s marketing leadership team. He most recently served as vice president and general manager of Tim Hortons USA. Prior to RBI, Galletly was an investor with private equity funds Wingate Partners and VMG Partners, and held marketing and strategy roles with PepsiCo. His career began at McKinsey & Company.
Growing up in a family business, entrepreneurship has been a part of Galletly’s life, enabling him to empathize with other business owners, he said. He credited his father with providing a great example of how to properly treat the business and to treat people, particularly those on the front lines.
His love of franchising stems from his interest in supporting franchisees in becoming as successful as possible, he said. “Franchisees are just as tied to the success of a brand as franchisors, and in many cases have truly built the brand in their local communities, sometimes for multiple generations. They’re a part of their communities, and they’re responsible for being stewards of the brand for themselves and for their teams. Supporting them is a tremendous privilege and responsibility.”
Restaurant Franchising
Galletly described restaurant franchising as an opportunity to serve people moments of joy and launch meaningful careers. He said managing food costs, navigating labor dynamics, and being able to grow with their brands will remain consistent themes for franchisors and franchisees. But, in addition, he said successful players in the food industry must also take note of consumer trends, such as the rise of the “foodie” who is driven by social media and a desire for great food and experiences, as well as convenience.
The Meaning of Leadership
An experienced leader in his own right, Galletly said he believes leadership involves defining a clear standard of values, competency, performance and serving others. Being a good listener, showing empathy and being supportive are also important leadership traits, he said.
