Transcript Roland Spongberg - 2015 Multi

PLANNING FOR GROWTH
PEOPLE SOLUTIONS
Facilitator- Robert Branca –CEO, Branded Management Group (Dunkin’ Donuts, 70+ units)
Panelists - Charles Smithgall, III – CEO, Aaron’s Inc. ( Aaron’s Furniture, 100+ units)
Michael Kulp – CEO, KPB Foods (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, 300+ units)
Roland Spongberg – CEO, WKS Restaurant Group (Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Corner Bakery,
105+ units)
Author Jim Collins:
“Get the right people on the bus,
the wrong people off the bus, and
the right people in the right seats.”
Robert Branca
 Robert Branca, Jr., is President, General Counsel, and Director of Development for entities
including Branded Realty Company and Batista Management Corp., doing business in
Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and Florida.
 Hometown is Boston, Massachusetts.
 Chair of Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owners PAC and the Vice Chair of the Washington, D.C.based Coalition of Franchisee Associations.
 Owns and operates nearly 70 Dunkin’ Donuts and 5 Baskin-Robbins
 Currently expanding his Dunkin’ Donuts and real estate businesses into the Midwest and
also developing new concepts, which is intended to franchise.
 Recently recognized for his significant historic renovation projects and community
contributions in Massachusetts.
Roland Spongberg
 Roland Spongberg founded WKS Restaurant Group and became a franchisee of El Pollo
Loco, Inc. in 1987.
 Hometown is Long Beach, California.
 Owns and operates 105 restaurants in 7 states, including El Pollo Loco, Denny’s, Corner
Bakery Café and Krispy Kreme.
 Employing over 3000 people corporate wide.
 Roland has been honored by the International Franchise Association as Franchisee of the
Year.
 Has been given the Denny’s A+ Achievement Award for “Leadership in Achieving
Excellence.”
 Roland serves on the El Pollo Loco Charities Board.
 President of the Long Beach Area Council Boy Scouts of America.
Charles Smithgall
 Charles Smithgall is currently Chairman and CEO of SEI/Aaron’s
 Found on April 1, 1995.
 Hometown is Atlanta, Georgia.
 SEI opened their first Aaron’s store on November 29, 1995 and subsequently
developed 8 stores in the Kentucky/Indiana area before expanding to New
England in 1999.
 SEI/Aaron’s, has continued to open stores in the New England states, as well
as acquiring stores from Aaron’s, Inc. which currently operates 105 stores in
10 states.
 SEI/Aaron’s is the largest Aaron’s franchisee
Michael Kulp

President/CEO of KBP Foods.

Hometown is Kansas City

Under his direction, KBP has grown from $7 million to $260 million in annual revenue over a 12-year
period and is ranked among the 10 fastest-growing restaurant companies in the country.

Michael serves on the National KFC advisory board, is the chair of the national operations
subcommittee, and sits on the national marketing committee.

Also serves on a franchise advisory board to Yum! Brands, in partnership with
PricewaterhouseCoopers, and is a member of the board of directors at Fresh Alternatives, a holding
company that owns and operates fast casual restaurants in Florida.

Michael holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from University of
Colorado and Colorado Mesa University, and also played collegiate-level athletics.

Michael and his wife Stephanie have dedicated their time and talent to many philanthropic efforts,
such as First Downs for Down Syndrome organization and the Truman Medical Health and Wellness
Center.