Jean Baudrand has cultivated a long, successful career in brand development, both domestically and internationally. After spearheading domestic development and real estate for Burger King Corp., he was promoted to London in 1994 to lead Burger King’s European, Middle Eastern and non-traditional development efforts. He then joined Yum! Brands in 1998 as Vice President of International Development in Europe, and progressively extended his responsibilities to the Middle East and Latin America. By 2009, after consulting for companies like Arby’s, Applebee’s and Quizno’s Subs, Baudrand accepted an invitation to join TGI Friday’s as Vice President of International Business Development, a position he held for the last eight years. Tired of traveling internationally and being away from his family, Baudrand accepted the position as Chief Development Officer with FSC Franchise Co in January 2017. “I accepted the position with FSC Franchise Co because I saw the tremendous growth potential with both The Brass Tap and Beef O Brady’s”, Baudrand said.
1. Tell us about The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar concept.
The Brass Tap is a higher end Craft Beer Centric neighborhood Entertainment venue. The mission of the Brass Tap is to deliver great time to its guest around specialty craft or bottle Beers complemented with quality cocktails, selected wines and sharable and snackable quality foods supported by quality HD sport TV and videos, selected social entertainments and events in an upbeat music environment.
2. How and when did you become involved with The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar?
I have been working in the Restaurants and Bar Franchise development business in the international markets for more than 25 years and was thinking about refocusing my professional life in the domestic markets when I was approached by FSC for the position of CDO. Upon review of the business, the industry and the team, I decided this was the right opportunity for me and agreed to join FSC on January 15th of this year.
3. What was your background prior to joining The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar?
I have more than 30 years of Franchise and equity restaurant business domestic and international development experience mostly with very large restaurant companies like Burger King (12 years), YUM Brand (8 Years) and Fridays (8 Years)
4. What are some of the advantages in being a Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar franchisee?
Every time my team and I help open a new successful Franchise restaurant and bar business it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment and I delight myself in having participated in the development of a new venture and created new employments, new opportunities and satisfying a number of new guests.
5. Who is your ideal franchisee?
[] The restaurant business is first and foremost a people business but it also requires entrepreneurship and a deep caring for the guest in addition and just as important it requires a deep belief in the franchise business model and a positive and constructive attitude to help continuously improve the business. There are many different types of people who can be successful franchisees but they mostly share the above profile.
6. Tell us a little about the craft beer market?
The craft beer industry is a fast growing industry that grew 11% last year alone, many new breweries are added every year, last year alone the state of TX, NC, FL and IL each added 38 new breweries. Our mission is to bring the best and preferred regional craft beers to each brass Tap.
7. What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing this franchise?
The Brass Tap cater to a wide range of demographic profile from 25 to 45 and more who all seems to be able to enjoy their time their. More importantly a majority of the guests are female attracted by the safe, warm and original feel of our bar as well as by the large availability of quality craft beer.
8. Do you have a mentor and is there someone you use for inspiration?
My mentor is the company CEO, Chris Elliot, who had the vision to take over this business from an individual franchisee and transform it into a real growing and dynamic franchise system.
9. What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a Franchise?
My advice would be to be caring about his or her people and his guests, not to invest beyond his or her means and to work fully and closely with the franchisor in all aspect of the business.
10. In your opinion, why do you think that The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar would be a great opportunity for someone?
I think the Brass Tap represent a great opportunity because it not only ride the craft beer mega trend but it seek to satisfy a growing demand for authentic entertainment and social connection venue. The Brass Tap does all that with a moderate investment, attractive franchise terms as well as a relatively simple business model.
