DeCarolis Brings Over a Decade of Experience to the Position
Craveworthy Brands, an umbrella company of restaurant franchises, appointed Kim DeCarolis senior vice president of strategic growth. She will leverage her experience in sales, marketing and compliance leadership experience to create and execute a franchise sales strategy. Concepts under Craveworthy Brands include Wing It On!, The Budlong, Krafted Burger + Tap, Genghis Grill, BD’s Mongolian Grill and Flat Top Grill.
DeCarolis was introduced to Craveworthy Brands by friends who knew CEO Gregg Majewski. She was attracted to the company’s focus on franchise development, talented leadership team and culture of inclusivity. DeCarolis believes that Craveworthy’s competitive advantages like innovative concept development and significant growth potential give her an opportunity to make an impact.
DeCarolis is excited to expand the footprint of each concept in Craveworthy’s portfolio by driving brand expansion, attracting franchise investors and bringing the franchisor’s concepts to new markets. “A multi-concept company like Craveworthy Brands allows owners to benefit from the support, technology, resources and proven business models previously only offered by the biggest franchisors,” she said. She’s excited to contribute to the company’s vision, foster inclusivity, and provide opportunities for women in leadership positions.
Majewski is thrilled to have DeCarolis join the leadership team, which recently added chief growth and development officer Jeremy Theisen. “Kim joins as a key component of the franchise growth plans for our collection of emerging and legacy Craveworthy Brands concepts. Kim understands the motivations of franchise investors and has a unique ability to align their goals with the right restaurant investment. She’s joining Craveworthy Brands at an inflection point where her expertise will fuel remarkable growth for our concepts,” Majewski said.
A Passion for Restaurant Franchising
DeCarolis was drawn to the opportunity to work in the hospitality space because it creates memorable experiences and has a unique ability to bring people together. Additionally, the fast-paced and innovative nature of the industry keeps her engaged. She also appreciates the restaurant industry’s opportunities for creativity, from menu development to guest experiences.
She got her start in the restaurant space over a decade ago in sales and marketing roles. Over the course of her career, she served as director of strategic franchise sales at FAT Brands and vice president of sales at Punchh, an AI-powered loyalty, offers, and customer engagement platform. She enjoys the restaurant industry’s transformative power and the pathway it offers aspiring entrepreneurs.
Investing in a Franchise Business
DeCarolis urges aspiring entrepreneurs to do their due diligence, understand the different types of franchises, and evaluate franchisors’ track records and financial stability. She also believes they should assess their own resources, including finances and skills, and seek advice from professionals and existing franchisees.
She believes that franchisors can enhance the franchise development process by using location growth to scale and unlock pricing discounts for technology, supply chain, labor and food costs. “Franchisors that focus on effective channels of communication, streamlined onboarding, and regular updates help franchisees navigate the transition seamlessly, ensuring the necessary resources for success.”