About
Ben Smith brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience helping businesses and brands grow, scale, and perform at a higher level. His work spans early-stage startups as well as well-known international brands, giving him a practical understanding of what it takes to build and lead successful organizations.
Leadership experience includes serving as both CEO and COO, along with a firsthand perspective as a franchisee and business owner. This combination allows Ben to guide leaders with insight that is grounded in real operational experience, not theory.
Below are a few examples of results achieved through this work.
- Supported the expansion of Caribou Coffee from 4 locations to 120 units
- Helped grow Jamba from 58 stores to more than 700 locations worldwide
- Led the turnaround of Fantastic Sams, guiding a 1,200 location brand from bankruptcy to a successful exit
- Directed United States operations for Cinnabon and contributed to its first one billion dollar revenue year
- Oversaw operations for 2,600 Anytime Fitness locations across the United States and Canada
- Served as franchise owner and operating partner for a 125 location business spanning 17 states
Originally from Texas, Ben now calls Atlanta, Georgia, home with his wife. Time outside of work is spent staying connected with their two grown children and enjoying life with their much loved family dog, Kimber.
Companies
I have worked with
