As part of our franchise development strategy for FOCUS Brands, global franchisor for foodservice brands such as Jamba, Cinnabon and Moe’s Southwest Grill, we look for opportunities that allow for the company’s executives to speak to industry trends and larger business discussions. As such, Fish secured an opportunity for FOCUS Brands’ Kat Cole to discuss the future of work at Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything online series earlier this month.
Kat Cole is a phenomenal success story. At just 32 years of age, Kat was named president of Cinnabon. Today, she is president and COO of FOCUS Brands and is responsible for leading all seven brands and the franchising business, as well as overseeing the company’s licensing division.
Like any business, FOCUS Brands has had to adapt amid COVID-19. Foodservice has been particularly challenged, but the franchisor has been able to navigate effectively and evolve its corporate workplace and franchised locations to better serve its employees and guests. During her conversation with WSJ, Kat went into detail on how FOCUS Brands has pushed through and offered tips and suggestions on how to effectively transform a workplace during the current crisis:
Some of her top suggestions include:
- Focus on the most important priorities
- Use tech and real estate to provide easy accessibility and convenience for guests
- Hire managers that create a flexible work culture
- Add a “no meetings” block to your calendars
- Recruit diverse candidates by expanding your network
Here’s a link to Kat’s full conservation with WSJ’s Michelle Ma: Kat Cole on Effective, Inclusive Leadership in Moments of Crisis
