Franchising Veteran Set to Elevate Franchise Operations and Drive Growth
Scooter’s Coffee has welcomed John Owen as chief operating officer (COO). With a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry, Owen will lead Scooter’s drive-thru kiosk franchise model, working closely with franchise owners to implement effective growth strategies.
Scooter’s people, culture, business model, and growth trajectory attracted him to the coffee franchise. “I’m really looking forward to finding new and innovative ways for our legal team to support our franchisees, particularly as we grow rapidly. As new technologies develop, there will always be ways to improve our franchise administration and compliance processes so our other business units can focus more on franchisee support and less on bureaucratic processes,” Owen said.
CEO Joe Thornton is thrilled to have Owen take on this new challenge. “As we continue to set our sights on expanding our brand’s footprint and providing world-class coffee and customer service, we are delighted John has joined our Scooter’s Coffee family. I am confident John’s alignment with our core values and his extensive industry experience will allow us to build upon our brand promise to customers and help us drive sales and excellence in operation.”
A Restaurant Industry Pro
Owen’s start in franchising and drive for business success can be traced back to his time as a McDonald’s crew member when he was 16 years old. With hard work and determination, he worked his way up through the system to become corporate vice president of strategy and execution. He then became the president and CEO of Subway Russia, doubling its presence to more than 700 restaurants. Owen was also the principle of Owen & Associates, an executive consulting firm that specializes in assisting restaurant and retail suppliers. Prior to joining Scooter’s Coffee, he served as resident of Acrelec Americas, which focuses on reinventing the customer experience for restaurant and retail brands.
Franchising and Leadership
Owen enjoys that the food service industry is fast-paced and challenging, ensuring no two days are the same. He believes the advancement of technology will play a significant role in restaurant franchising for years to come.
His favorite aspect of franchising is working closely with entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and ensuring that they are supported enough to make their dreams come true. He urges aspiring franchise owners not to let the fear of taking risks get in the way of making a franchise investment. He stresses the importance of having strong leadership qualities in franchise ownership.
Owen explains that great leaders do three things every day: Impart a clear, concise vision; activate resources in order to achieve the vision; and inspire the people around them. “Along the way, we challenge and coach those we lead to achieve more than they thought possible.”
