Helping Franchise Buyers Find the
Business of Their Dreams

Gary D. Green is known for being one of today’s most successful founders of franchise systems in the United States. Few have been as prolific and creative at franchise development and growth as Gary. With a thirty-year track record of success, he has founded 8 national franchise systems, successfully exited 3, and currently owns 5 franchise systems with his small group of fellow investors in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gary has retired from Strategic Franchising and no longer has any operational involvement but has helped put together an incredible team of brand leaders, business operators, support personnel, and shared services to ensure the on-going success of their franchise owners.

Gary is proud of the fact that he created a small business launch platform that has enabled thousands of people over three decades to seize more freedom, control, and success over their lives. Currently, with the 5 remaining systems, there are franchise owners in over 700 markets across the globe.

As a well-known entrepreneur, successful business owner and mentor, Gary has been featured in a variety of leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Starting Your Own Business, Franchise Times, CNN Financial News and Fox Business News. The International Franchise Association has ranked Gary among the top franchisers in the nation.

In the book, “No Guts No Glory”, written about Gary’s real-life experiences as an entrepreneur, he shares his wisdom to help others tap into their own courage to seize opportunities to improve their lives and lifestyles through business ownership.

“I think you have to have a passion. You have to have something that guides you, something that shapes you, that drives you.” – excerpt from “No Guts No Glory – The Story of Gary D. Green” by David Lyman.

Dan is Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at Strategic Franchising, LLC, which currently provides strategic management consulting to five national franchise systems. Dan is also President and Co-Founder of Franchise Funding Group, LLC, the retired CEO/Co-Founder of The Growth Coach franchise system, and Co-Founder of Caring Transitions, TruBlue Total House Care, and Pet Wants Franchise System. Dan is an original investor in all 5 franchise brands, which includes Fresh Coat, and is a Board Member for them all.

Dan has no operational involvement with any of the individual franchise systems but actively runs Franchise Funding Group (FFG), which helps entrepreneurs to scale their existing and successful businesses nationally through a franchise model. FFG is like Shark Tank for Franchising…they function as investors and strategic partners in the franchising sector.

Prior to getting into franchising in 2002 with Gary Green, Dan owned his own business coaching company for over a decade and helped hundreds of small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve greater success, fulfillment, and personal balance. Before that, he was a CPA, Audit Manager, and Director of Business Development with the international accounting/consulting firm of Deloitte for seven years in Cincinnati.

Dan is also a frequent public speaker on franchising and business success, enjoys mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives, and is the author of the book, “Becoming a Strategic Business Owner”. He loves helping others and himself live a more fulfilling and exciting life by following his personal motto, Feed Your Dreams, Starve Your Fears®.

Before his success leading Strategic Franchising, Chris previously served in various senior executive positions, including President of Caring Transitions, and Vice President with Mr. Handyman International.

Chris is a firm believer in franchising and the franchise model, having gained this belief through his experience as a franchise executive and by owning his own franchise. Chris owned and operated a successful Mr. Handyman franchise and knows firsthand the critical importance of having a world-class training, marketing, and operational support programs in place for franchise owners at all levels of the system.

After five years of amazing growth and success with Caring Transitions, Chris was promoted to COO/President of Strategic Franchising Systems to help spread his ideas and proven systems across all five Strategic Franchising brands.

Ray’s experience and passion for franchising, the senior care industry, and growing organizations made Caring Transitions the perfect fit and has led to next-level success for Caring Transitions.

Ray is a proven leader in strategically driving growth and supporting franchise owners using over 25 years of experience in various executive and operational leadership roles. Prior to Caring Transitions, Ray gained his experience in the senior space as Vice President of Operations at Comfort Keepers, an in-home senior care franchise system.

Ray was the President of The Growth Coach prior to Caring Transitions and also spent many years of his career in executive roles at Luxottica Retail, the global leader in eyewear.

Taking over as President of Fresh Coat in late 2014, Tara brings proven senior executive experience to the company, most recently serving as a Vice President in the Comfort Keeper’s senior care brand.

With over 30 years of executive management and operations experience in franchising, Tara’s greatest success lies in creating profitable growth at every stop in her career. Leading teams in a variety of business models including home improvement and remodeling, Tara has experience working within global franchise icons such as McDonald’s as well as in much younger high-growth brands.

Also experienced as a business owner, Tara understands the challenges and fears new business owners face and has a passion for helping franchisees push through to success.

This experience will be instrumental in leading Fresh Coat on a continued path of growth and quest to be the largest painting brand in the world.

Carani is no stranger to the world of franchising. Before joining the Pet Wants team, Carani served as the senior director of operations for the in-home childcare franchise Jovie after owning the brand’s first franchise in the Atlanta market for ten years.

“I’ve been on both sides of the franchising equation,” said Carani. “I love that franchising allows everyday people to build a lifestyle for themselves and grow wealth for their families in a structured environment. I have owned a business previous to franchising as well, so I’ve seen how hard it is to be completely independent. The support, structure and best practices that a franchise brings are incredibly valuable.”

As a franchise industry veteran, she sees a lot of potential for Pet Wants. Spending in the pet industry has reached over $100 billion while more and more people are treating their pets as part of the family, meaning nutrition is at the forefront of their minds. Carani loves that Pet Wants allows local entrepreneurs and pet lovers to tap into that industry.

Sean is a seasoned franchise executive with more than 25 years of experience working with brands ranging in scale from startup franchise concepts to multi-national franchise systems. With a wealth of knowledge, impressive in both scope and variety, Sean brings to TruBlue the insight and expertise necessary for developing, operating and growing successful franchise businesses.

Sean’s background includes leading the growth of several brands including BrightStar Senior Care, Wireless Zone | Verizon Wireless, and FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers. He was recently Chief Development Strategist for No Limit Agency, one of the largest PR & digital marketing agencies in franchising, providing marketing strategies for national brands such as Two Men and a Truck, Dairy Queen, Anytime Fitness, GreatClips, Jan-Pro, MaidRight, Orange Theory Fitness, Mosquito Joe and our sister brand Fresh Coat.

For over 25 years, Brad Schneider has facilitated individual growth to spur organizational growth. Executives and Sales professionals in manufacturing, retail, non-profit, professional services, and technology sectors have changed their behaviors and achieved greater results with Brad. He focuses on guiding clients to customized, practical solutions that spark action and sustain improvements and growth.

Brad holds a Masters of Organization Development from Bowling Green State University. He is also a 4-time winner of the American Society Training and Development’s Best award.

Pete provides financial leadership and oversight to all five Strategic Franchising brands in his role of Chief Financial Officer. He is focused on driving process improvements and ways he can make the franchise owners more efficient, more profitable, and, overall, more successful. His proven leadership skills and ability to drive results provides significant benefits to the businesses of the franchise owners and five Strategic Franchising brands. Pete is a seasoned financial professional and has worked in various senior roles with both multi-unit franchisees and franchisors prior to joining the company in November 2020.

Jeff has been the General Counsel and Secretary of our franchise affiliates Growth Coach, Fresh Coat and Caring Transitions since September 2007, of TruBlue since May 2011, and of Pet Wants since August 2015. Jeff was also promoted to Vice President of these franchise system affiliates as of February 2018. He was General Counsel of H.H. Franchising Systems, Inc.(Home Helpers) in Cincinnati, Ohio from September 2007 through February 1, 2018. From July 2002 to September 2007, Jeff practiced law with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P. in Cincinnati, Ohio.