The QSR Franchise is Poised to Expand to Over 1,000 Locations in Two Years
Zaxby’s, a quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise, added Bert Lane as vice president of development. He brings over three decades of experience to the position.
“It was exciting to join such a powerhouse team. I also love the founder’s story and how well Zaxby’s is positioned in the QSR industry. It’s been amazing to see how fast it has grown in the last 30 years!” Lane said. He looks forward to helping the regional QSR brand become nationally known, adding that Zaxby’s is poised to expand to over 1,000 units in the next two years.
Lane got his start in franchising in 1991 as a multi-unit manager for Hot N Now, before becoming a multi-unit owner of nine locations in 1994. He then worked for Arby’s as an area supervisor and worked his way up to senior director of franchise development with Inspire Brands. Lane spent 27 years with Arby’s before moving to Zaxby’s. He enjoys networking with franchisees and helping them scale their businesses.
Lane and Food Franchising
Lane started working in franchise food operations when he was 15 years old, so he has seen a lot of growth and changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is opportunity. In his experience, franchising rewards performance. In terms of trends, Lane notes that technology and AI are big. “If a franchisor is not prepared and evolving in this space, they may get left behind.”
Advice From a Franchise Veteran
Lane would tell entrepreneurs with the franchising bug to speak with current operators because they know the good, the bad, and the ugly of a brand. He also believes that candidates should understand the franchisor’s role in support from real estate to construction and operations so they have a clear understanding of what the franchisor brings to the table. Asking how the brand is adapting in its space with technology is also important. To Lane, franchisors make their operations more seamless for franchise owners by offering exceptional support, over communicating and being accessible.