Former Starbucks Executive Focuses on Expanding the Hot Dog Franchise Domestically and Internationally
Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog franchise, has tapped Doug Koob as chief development officer. As CDO, Koob will oversee sales and business development teams for domestic and international growth, real estate, and restaurant design and construction.
Koob leverages his 40-plus years of hospitality experience to build out a global development team. Having lived in Amsterdam and assisted in Starbucks’ growth in Western Europe, Koob said he has experienced the excitement of expansion into international markets.
“We have an opportunity to significantly grow our brand and partnerships and to help bring Wienerschnitzel to many more communities and consumers around the world. I’ve been to two new Wienerschnitzel store openings recently in Spokane, Wash., and Meridian, Idaho. It was amazing to see how those two communities responded to these two new store openings,” Koob said. He added that he looks forward to seeing that same customer enthusiasm and passion on a global scale.
“We’re at a pivotal time with the brand as we’re now poised to elevate our growth to the next level, both in key U.S. markets and internationally, and Doug’s team-first mindset is going to make that a reality,” said J.R. Galardi, CEO of Wienerschnitzel’s parent company, Galardi Group Inc. “I look forward to watching him flourish as part of our Galardi family.”
Strategic Planning
Koob’s experience includes two decades with Starbucks leading business development teams in the U.S. and Europe. He also has held executive positions with First Watch and Asian Box. In 2016, he founded the Circle Alliances consulting and contracting company, which has served MOD Pizza, Chipotle, Stumptown Coffee and other brands. “Circle Alliances has been about helping entrepreneurs and companies realize their dreams. As someone who believes paying it forward in life is very important, I was honored to help over 50 brands in eight years accomplish their goals and aspirations,” Koob said.
A huge part of assisting brands with scaling involves strategic planning, he added. “A strong plan is essential for a franchisor to build programs and roadmaps for growth. I love writing strategic plans, creating programs, building teams and partnering with franchisees to drive new opportunities.”
He said his strategic plan for Wienerschnitzel involves living out the mission of Galardi Group Inc., which is to “serve food to serve others,” and incorporating the company’s core values. “I want our team to be known as an industry leader for supporting our existing franchisees and building new franchise partnerships. I’m looking forward to engaging with our franchise community, getting their feedback, hearing their aspirations and incorporating that into my initial plan.”
Keys for Expansion
Before expanding internationally or domestically, Koob urges franchisors to look at the right markets for their brands, enter into business with strong franchise business partners who share their values, and have the right programs within their organizations to successfully scale their brands. “Global expansion is particularly complex given the nuances in new countries,” he said. “There needs to be a dedicated team in place at the brand headquarters to take on these complexities and not distract the organization from its core focus with domestic stores.”
Koob lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Lara, their 14-year-old son, Jordan, and labradoodle, Violet. He enjoys meeting new people, experiencing new countries, and trying new types of food and beverages. In terms of his favorite Wienerschnitzel menu item, Koob keeps it simple: a corn dog with mustard.
About Wienerschnitzel
Founded in 1961 by John Galardi, Wienerschnitzel has grown to become a leading hot dog franchise that serves more than 120 million hot dogs annually. Galardi Group Inc. franchises almost 350 Wienerschnitzel restaurants in 10 states.
