BRADLEY SOMMER
Dallas
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in international markets, franchise operations, and quick-service restaurants. Demonstrated success in strategic planning and operational excellence, driving significant business growth and enhancing customer experiences. Skilled in budgeting and forecasting, with a proven ability to build strong relationships, achieving ten consecutive years of positive sales growth across diverse markets.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Franchise Operations
Scooters Coffee
Omaha
09.2023 - Current
- Manage and mentor 5 Franchise Business Consultants working together to offer comprehensive marketing, financial, and operational analysis focused on boosting sales and profitability for franchise owners across 405 Scooters locations.
Senior Franchise Business Consultant
Hardee's
Franklin
03.2020 - 05.2023
- Administered operational performance for franchise organizations and restaurants.
- Collaborated with leadership teams to develop strategies for optimal guest experience and operational excellence.
- Directed recruitment, hiring, training, and onboarding of Operations Consultants for 265 restaurants.
- Created content and conducted online training for operations and management programs.
- Coordinated in-person equipment training for 60 restaurant managers to enhance skills.
- Directed support in marketing, operations, and quality assurance for 4 Regional Vice Presidents.
- Facilitated staffing strategies to optimize performance across 8 Area Food Managers and 13 District Managers.
Vice President Asia
Carl's Jr
Melbourne
05.2014 - 03.2020
- Directed vision execution for Asia region, encompassing strategic planning, sales, marketing, customer engagement, compliance, and budgeting.
- Supervised seven team members to consistently exceed performance goals through operational strategies.
- Led market entry initiatives for Carl's Jr. brand into Japan, Australia, India, and Cambodia.
- Oversaw development of IT support systems tailored for Australia and Japan restaurants, enhancing control over cash flow and costs.
- Managed recruitment processes, onboarding, training, and evaluations for six Franchise Business Consultants and various directors.
- Developed and presented eight quarterly franchise owner conferences while contributing to the Australia Franchise Association.
- Implemented repositioned menu in New Zealand, reducing inventory, simplifying customer choices, and improving food cost efficiency.
- Conducted market analysis in Cambodia to tailor a cost-effective menu strategy aligned with local preferences.
Senior Director, International Operations Support
CKE Restaurants
St. Louis
05.2008 - 05.2014
- Conducted comprehensive market and consumer analysis to inform brand entry strategies across multiple countries.
- Led operational support actions for franchisee change requests and equipment testing initiatives.
- Oversaw international product development and training functions to ensure alignment with market needs.
- Directed a four-year market study in India, including vendor qualification and consumer food testing.
- Developed targeted non-beef, chicken, and vegetarian menu options specific to Indian market preferences.
- Implemented custom Excel-based systems for cost control, inventory management, and staffing optimization.
- Spearheaded multifunctional leadership initiatives covering operations, marketing, and vendor management in India.
- Facilitated access to U.S. government-backed global financing programs to support Pakistan franchisee operations.
Director, International Operations
Hardee's
Dubai
05.2000 - 05.2008
- Provided comprehensive support to Hardee's largest international franchisee across eight countries through restaurant site analysis, new product development, operations auditing, financial reviews, training, and compliance oversight; supervised five team members.
- Developed management and operations training programs for 240 multi-unit and restaurant managers across three foreign countries.
- Directed four franchise business consultants in implementing facilities, training, staffing, cost control, food safety, and sales management practices across eight countries and thirteen markets for over 25 years.
- Orchestrated operations competitions with pre-competition rallies offering $240,000 in prize money, impacting 145 restaurants, 300 managers, and 3,000 hourly employees.
- Analyzed sales, costs, and profitability of existing business units, resulting in a new business model for smaller locations with reduced investment levels and innovative distribution channels, achieving ten consecutive years of positive sales growth and a 200% increase in sales over two years.
- Conducted market entry studies in five foreign countries, successfully facilitating entry into Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IAExecutive Development Program - Technical Writing Workshop
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NCSkills
- Strategic planning and execution
- Leadership development
- Restaurant operations management
- Business growth and development
- Market penetration strategies
- Product development and innovation
- Operational controls and compliance
- Customer experience enhancement
- Relationship building and management
- Team building and collaboration
- High-performance culture creation
- Training and development programs
- Coaching and mentoring initiatives
- Project and program management
- Budgeting and forecasting expertise
- Effective communication skills
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Microsoft Project utilization
- Placer AI analysis
- Profit Keeper management
Websites
Professional Development
- Executive Development Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
- Technical Writing Workshop, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Timeline
Director Franchise Operations
Scooters Coffee
09.2023 - Current
Senior Franchise Business Consultant
Hardee's
03.2020 - 05.2023
Vice President Asia
Carl's Jr
05.2014 - 03.2020
Senior Director, International Operations Support
CKE Restaurants
05.2008 - 05.2014
Director, International Operations
Hardee's
05.2000 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Upper Iowa University
Executive Development Program - Technical Writing Workshop
University of North Carolina