Jessica Wescott
Jessica Wescott is in franchising for the long run. “I got bit by the franchising bug 10 years ago, and now I can’t seem to leave,” she said. “I can’t seem to fathom the possibility of ever leaving the space.”
This sentiment rings true for Wescott following her promotion to Stellar Service Brands CEO in October. She joined the company in 2022 as chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
Stellar Service Brands provides commercial and residential services through its four brands: Restoration 1, Bluefrog Plumbing and Drain, Softroc and The Driveway Company. Its brands comprise 190 franchisees and 350 units in 41 states.
Wescott began her career in finance and accounting and held leadership roles in the restaurant industry prior to 2022. She served as COO and CFO for Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and vice president of development and finance at Mooyah Burger, Fries & Shakes.
“I really feel like I’ve been in a position over the course of my career to spearhead some strong initiatives that garnered industry-wide support and recognition,” she said. “Stepping into this role, I’m really leaning into that core of what I’ve bedrocked my leadership in over the course of my career.”
Wescott is drawing on her time working with former Stellar CEO Sherry Rose, who transitioned to the role of executive chairman of Stellar’s board of directors. “She was also one of the reasons I came to Stellar,” Wescott said of Rose. “I really believed in the way that she approached leadership in the franchise organization and was fortunate to learn from her experience.”
Stellar Service Brands is focused on increasing franchisee revenue, franchisee profitability and overall satisfaction in day-to-day brand operations. The company’s goals this year are to open 42 units across the four brands, build on training and support and drive digital marketing efforts.
The company already revamped training and support for Restoration 1, hired three field consultants and filled key roles in the company’s marketing and digital strategy sectors.
But the initiative Wescott’s most excited for? Developing deeper partnerships with franchisees. She said the company’s annual partner summit in June will allow franchisees to engage with one another.
“Franchisee relationships come down to trust, and trust comes down to communication,” she said. “We’re really intently focused … from a leadership perspective on being present, active and communicative in those phone calls and in-person visits.”
Brian Simowitz
Executive Ladder
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Send promotions and new hire news in franchising to Alyssa Huglen, [email protected].