MEDIA RELEASE PR35100
Global Branding Expert, William Van Epps, to Serve as International Franchising Consultant for
Johnny Rockets
LAKE FOREST, Calif., June 17 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
William Van Epps Agrees to Help Grow 'Original Hamburger' Brand
throughout Asia
To further support their aggressive worldwide expansion plans,
experiential restaurant chain, Johnny Rockets, has announced an agreement
with William M. Van Epps to represent the brand and promote franchising
opportunities among Asian investor and restaurateur communities. In his role,
Van Epps will work with the Johnny Rockets leadership and development teams
to broker franchise agreements in targeted international markets.
"We are excited to have such a well-respected and noted business leader
as an ambassador for our brand," stated Lee Sanders, Johnny Rockets President
and Chief Executive Officer. "Considering his success within our industry and
his tenure as a member of our Board of Directors, we believe Bill possesses
the skill, relationships and knowledge base to take our franchising efforts
to a whole new level," Sanders added.
Outside of the United States, Johnny Rockets currently holds franchise
agreements for forty opened restaurants in eleven countries, ten restaurants
currently under construction and 72 commitments for future restaurants. The
Company is actively seeking single and multi-unit partners in several
underserved international markets. The internal development team will
continue to pursue exclusive deals throughout Latin American and European
countries, while Van Epps concentrates his efforts on those in Southeast
Asia.
"I see tremendous potential for Johnny Rockets in this part of the
world," said Van Epps. "It represents an iconoclastic American brand that
needs no translation. In fact, as a result of our research on relevant
lifestyle venues, we realistically foresee forty Johnny Rockets restaurants
in Korea, fifty in Malaysia and at least 150 in Mainland China," he adds.
Van Epps served as President of USA operations at Papa John's
International Inc., from 2006 to 2009, as Chief Operating Officer and Senior
Vice President of Papa John's International Inc., from January 2004 to 2006,
responsible for domestic corporate and franchised restaurant operations and
international operations. Van Epps also served as Managing Director of
International at Papa John's International from 2001 to 2004.
Prior to joining Papa John's, he served for two years as President of
International Division of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, responsible for the
international development of Long John Silvers and A&W restaurants. From 1993
to 1999, Mr. Van Epps served as President of International Division at AFC
Enterprises. From 1988 to 1993, he served as Vice President of Marketing and
International at Western Sizzlin Inc.
For information on Franchising opportunities with Johnny Rockets, call
Source Johnny Rockets
CONTACT: Cozette Phifer of Johnny Rockets, +1-949-643-6135
Translations:
NEWS 
