David Hood

David Hood, Ph. D.
President, The iFranchise Group

905 W. 175th Street, Suite 2 North
Homewood, IL 60430
Tel: 708-957-2300
Fax: 708-957-2395
Web: www.ifranchise.net
Email: info@ifranchise .net

Specializing in aggressive growth strategies and implementation, Mr. Hood has held senior management and consulting positions within the franchising and retailing industries since 1988. He is an expert in areas of franchise development and implementation, retail management, site selection, international business, and strategic planning.

Over an eight-year period, Mr. Hood directed the franchised expansion of Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, one of the fastest-growing and most highly regarded franchise systems throughout the 1990s. During his tenure at Auntie Anne’s, the company expanded from a start-up concept to an international system comprising 640 retail locations, 320 corporate employees, and systemwide sales of over $200 million. As Vice President of Franchise Development, and later President, Mr. Hood played a key role in the development and implementation of the company’s business development strategies in both the U.S. and international markets.

Mr. Hood has also consulted with a wide range of franchise and retail organizations in the U.S. and abroad, including Amoco, Armstrong World Industries, Transmedia Network, Groupo Marti, Allstate Insurance, Peachtree Software, Australia Post, Ryder Truck Rental, Bridgestone/Firestone, Brunswick Corporation, and Goodwill Industries.

Mr. Hood’s expertise in areas of franchise implementation includes organizational development, franchise marketing and sales strategies, regulatory compliance programs, franchisee support systems, the development of franchisee advisory councils, consumer marketing, retail brand development, site selection, and operations training.

Mr. Hood holds a B.S. in Economics from Elmhurst College, an M.A. in Economic Geography from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Geography from the University of Tasmania, Australia.