The Industry Vet will Grow the Global Franchisor’s Brands
HOA Brands, the corporate franchisor of Hooters and Hoots Wings, announced franchise veteran Michael Arrowsmith as its new chief development officer (CDO). Arrowsmith brings more than two decades of development and financial experience to the role and will oversee domestic and international growth of HOA Brands. In addition to recruiting franchisees, he will identify real estate sites and manage development services such as building design and construction. Arrowsmith recently led Pinch a Penny Patio Spa’s growth in new markets including Texas, Louisiana and Georgia.
“Returning to the restaurant industry and working for a global food service brand has been a goal of mine. By joining the HOA Brands team, I’m able to flex my skills and ramp up unit growth for our concepts as well as work with our leadership team, motivate multi-unit operators, and others who are interested in expanding these concepts both domestically and internationally,” Arrowsmith said in a statement. He adds that HOA Brands will grow by partnering with the right franchise owners.
The HOA leadership team believes that Arrowsmith can help them meet their goals. “Our brands are experiencing unprecedented, industry-leading growth and strong performance. With a robust track record developing leading concepts, we will benefit significantly from Arrowsmith’s leadership and experience in guiding our vision for continued growth and success for years to come,” said Sal Melilli, chief executive officer of HOA Brands.
Arrowsmith and Franchising
Arrowsmith has held executive positions with several franchise brands. In addition to Pinch a Penny, he has worked with Diedrich Coffee, Checkers Drive In Restaurants, Captain D’s, and Denny’s. As CDO for Captain D’s, Arrowsmith built the development processes from the ground up, which contributed to the fast-casual franchisor’s growth.