Strengthening the Franchisee–Franchisor Relationship

Kendall partners with franchise brands to increase alignment, drive operational consistency, and maximize unit-level profitability through trusted collaboration.

“One of the most influential voices in franchising today.”
4.7/5

Brands Kendall Has Worked With

Kendall Solves Problems By...

Kendall Ware understands the unique challenges franchises face at every stage of growth. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling to new locations, or refining your operational strategy, Kendall helps solve the most pressing problems that are standing in your way.

Before

With Kendall Ware

Meet Kendall.

Kendall specializes in helping businesses scale, innovate, and thrive. Kendall is a seasoned leader with experience across franchising, acquisitions, and business development.

Kendall offers unique expertise to companies of all sizes. His journey—from busser to CEO of global brands like Cinnabon and Carvel—shapes his approach to leadership, growth, and transformation.

Using his own experience, Kendall now partners with businesses to drive sustainable success, develop strong leaders, and help navigate complex challenges.

His service and guidance ensures each company he works with is positioned and prepared for long-term growth.

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A Proven Track Record of Success

Kendall has years of experience and a history of helping franchises like yours, thrive. Using proven strategies, he will help set you on a trajectory to growth and success.

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Years in franchising and restaurant leadership
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Keynotes and workshops delivered
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Brands influenced by the FranShip Framework®
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Leaders elevated

Kendall's proven leadership and strategic expertise will unlock your franchise's full potential.

Whether you’re seeking to motivate your team, grow your brand, or refine your leadership strategy, Kendall’s comprehensive offerings are designed to support you in achieving lasting success. Each service is personalized to your needs and targeted toward driving real, measurable outcomes.

Keynote speaking

Kendall delivers impactful speeches on improving franchisor-franchisee relationships and operational success.

Workshops

Inspiring leadership and franchise excellence through powerful keynotes.

Consulting

Kendall offers strategies to boost profitability and growth for both franchisors and franchisees.

Fractional leadership

Kendall provides flexible executive-level support for strategic insight without a full-time hire.

Board advisory

Kendall guides franchisors and executives on strategic planning and leadership development.

New Book (Coming Soon)

Kendall Ware’s upcoming book will be published by Entrepreneur Media, the trusted name behind Entrepreneur Magazine.

Stronger Franchise Relationships. Smarter Growth. Better Results.

Kendall delivers tailored solutions to help your franchise overcome challenges and unlock smarter growth. With deep expertise in franchisee engagement, operational consistency, unit-level profitability, and leadership development, he helps align teams and accelerate performance across every stage of growth.

What Kendall Helps You Achieve:
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Book a Call With Kendall

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What Others Say About Kendall

Trusted by franchisors, franchisees, and executive teams across hospitality and franchising.

Kendall has a rare ability to see both the big picture and the details that make a franchise successful. His insights into franchisor-franchisee relationships, operational execution, and long-term brand strategy are invaluable to any organization looking to strengthen its system. He’s someone I’ve trusted and respected in the industry for years because he brings real solutions—not just theory.

Darin Harris
CEO of Jack in the Box

Kendall Ware is a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of the restaurant and franchise industry. His ability to translate complex leadership and operational strategies into actionable insights sets him apart. Kendall delivers practical, results-driven guidance that empowers leaders to build strong teams and sustainable systems.

Sara Bray
VP of Workforce & Business Development at National Restaurant Association

Kendall is a highly regarded expert and has an incredible ability to connect brand vision with operational execution. His insights into franchise marketing, guest experience, and business growth make him an invaluable speaker for any conference or brand event. He’s a rare leader who knows how to make a brand stand out while keeping franchisees engaged and profitable.

Laurie Curtis
SVP of Marketing at Shipley Do-Nuts

Kendall Ware is the speaker every franchise executive needs to hear. He has scaled and led some of the biggest franchise brands while keeping unit-level economics and franchisee success at the forefront. He understands what it takes to build a system that works—not just for corporate, but for the people running the businesses every day.

Chris Dawson
President of 7 Brew Coffee

Kendall understands both sides of the coin. He knows what it takes for a franchisor to be successful, but also what it takes for a franchisee to be successful. He’s the guy you want in your corner as a franchisee and the guy you want leading the charge as a franchisor. Kendall’s experience across multiple brands has armed him with the knowledge and expertise to be able to lead by example.

Stephanie & Trevor Bernhardt
Franchisees and Entrepreneurs

Kendall has a way of turning complex franchise dynamics into actionable insights. As a franchisee myself, I’ve sat in countless franchise conferences—but Kendall’s ability to connect with the audience, speak our language, and challenge us to think differently is rare. His message is packed with real-world wisdom that sticks.

Jim Jones
Franchisee & FAC Chair of Orange Leaf

Kendall Ware’s leadership in hospitality has made a lasting impact on my career. His insights on investing in frontline team members, even in high-turnover roles, completely shifted my approach to training and development. He’s an inspiring speaker and a true people-first leader.

Ashley Wright Helkenn
Sr. Director of Operations Services & L&D of Bonchon

Kendall Ware’s insights into fostering a healthier, more inclusive hospitality industry were both timely and essential when he spoke at Kendall College’s Hospitality Conference. His leadership and forward-thinking strategies offered a roadmap for businesses to prioritize well-being while maintaining excellence. As the hospitality industry evolves, his expertise provides a vital perspective on creating sustainable, people-first workplaces that benefit both employees and the bottom line.

Leigh Uhlir
Dean of National Louis University | Kendall College

Whether speaking on topics related to leadership, franchise management, training best practices, or optimizing operations, Kendall consistently delivers valuable content that is both informative and inspiring. His ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity, real life stories, and enthusiasm sets him apart as a dynamic and engaging speaker.

Rachel Richal
President of the Council of Hotel & Restaurant Trainers

Kendall Ware is the real deal—an industry rockstar who knows how to turn franchise operations into chart-topping success. His deep experience in the restaurant world, combined with his passion for leadership and culture, makes him a must-see thought leader. If you want your team to go from garage band to headliner, Kendall’s insights will get you there!

Jim Knight
Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author (x3), Culture Catalyst

Featured In

Insights and Expertise

Explore real-world lessons from Kendall’s journey in franchising, executive leadership, and restaurant operations.

Franchising Insights: 3 Common Questions from Aspiring Franchisors

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, few strategies offer the potential for rapid expansion and market penetration like franchising. Over the course of this year, I’ve had the pleasure of delivering several keynotes centered around franchising and the importance of nurturing the franchise relat

Evaluating a Franchise: Top 5 Focus Areas for Success

Embarking on the journey of selecting the right franchise is an exciting endeavor, offering the promise of entrepreneurship within a proven business model. However, making the right decision requires a thorough evaluation of the benefits and risks associated with potential opportunities.

Thirty Five for 35

On October 8th, 2022, I celebrated my 35th birthday and it just hit different. I found myself looking for a new challenge, do something I had always dreamt of doing, something to push myself out of my own comfort zone.

Ready to Transform Your Franchise?

Kendall Ware helps franchisors and franchisees strengthen relationships, improve operations, and accelerate growth with proven strategies for long-term success.

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