DENVER – 
(NewMediaWire) – September 23, 2020 – Under bold new ownership, Bad
Ass Coffee of Hawaii is announcing today the buildout of the leadership team
that will guide the brand’s aggressive 5-year/150-location expansion plan.
Susan
Sauer joins the Bad Ass team as vice president of franchise success and brings
40 years of experience in franchise restaurant operations. Sauer’s last 18
years were spent at The Wendy’s Company, where she exceled in roles including franchise
market consultant, area director and field training manager. With a proven
track record of coaching, mentoring and team development, Sauer will oversee
the day-to-day performance, training and development of all Bad Ass Coffee of
Hawaii franchisees.
William
Brand was tapped as chief financial officer. He most recently held the same
role at Verdeam, LLC, a real estate investment fund located in Lakewood, Colo.
Brand’s experience also includes leadership positions at Denovo, a managed
services and software company, and Charter Communications, an internet service
provider located in Denver.
Sauer and
Brand are teamed with previously appointed vice presidents Connie Alexakos,
vice president of franchise operations, and Chris Ruszkowski, vice president of
marketing.
Alexakos
has decades of retail operations, visual merchandising and development
experience from prior key management positions with The Nature Company, Disney
Stores, and Gymboree. She began her role with Bad Ass Coffee nearly 25 years
ago when the company was headquartered in Hawaii.
Ruszkowski
brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the team, having led
marketing efforts for big restaurant brands including McDonalds, Quiznos and
Einstein Bros. He has also managed marketing campaigns for Frito Lay and Visa.
Scott Snyder, CEO, describes his team as the
gold standard of franchise operations and marketing experience. “The collective
experience and “know-how” of this team accelerates our ability to deliver on a
new franchise opportunity that not only supports our new and existing
franchisees every step of the way, but will also help us to achieve our
national expansion plans.”
Snyder’s own past experience as a marketing
agency owner, business growth consultant and award-winning strategist includes
facilitating the rapid growth and expansion of over 40 brands in the food and beverage
space including Chipotle, Jimmy Johns, Jamba Juice, Einstein Brothers, Red
Robin, Jack Links, Church’s Chicken, Fresh Express/Chiquita and Noodles &
Company.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has been franchising since
1995 and currently has 24 locations in the U.S. and Japan. Since its purchase
by the Royal Aloha Coffee Company last year, changes at Bad Ass Coffee of
Hawaii include new branding, packaging and restaurant design, as well as
enhanced marketing, training and franchise support.
About
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big
Island of Hawaii in 1989 as a popular spot where locals would enjoy freshly
roasted and brewed 100% Kona coffee. Today, Bad Ass Coffee is dedicated to
sharing premium Hawaiian coffees “with a kick” from the Hawaiian Islands
through franchises in the U.S. and Japan. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii stores also
serve popular blended drinks, teas, food, along with other international
premium coffees and sell popular branded merchandise. The company is
committed to providing exceptional service and sharing the warm hospitality of
the Aloha Spirit in a Hawaiian setting that allows customers to relax, enjoy
themselves and fuel their inner badass. Bad Ass Coffees are available in franchise
stores and online and will soon be available through grocery, hospitality, and
specialty retail channels. The Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii brand and
franchise is owned by Royal Aloha Franchise Company, LLC. For more information,
visit badasscoffee.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram @badasscoffeeofhawaii.
Franchise information is available at badasscoffeefranchise.com.
Contact:
Melissa Hawken Morris
720-339-8279
(voice/text)
melissa.h.morris@gmail.com
