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When you look at the life and career of multi-unit franchisee Don Davey, you'll notice a pattern. From professional football (he was an NFL defensive tackle for 10 years) to his 20-unit ownership of Firehouse Subs franchises to the six Ironman competitions he's completed, everything requires discipline, tenacity, focus, and a competitive nature.
Sound tough? Not to Davey, who was named the 2013 IFA's Franchisee of the Year. In fact, he eats it up. "As an entrepreneur, I love being completely responsible for both our successes and our failures. It's stressful, but extremely rewarding," he says.
"Some people look at my life as hectic and chaotic," says Davey, who earned bachelor and master's degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "But I thrive with lots of balls in the air. I guess you could say I'm opportunistic." Two more balls Davey is juggling successfully: he founded an investment firm that manages more than $150 million, and he is involved with the NFL's Player Engagement program.
One example of Davey taking advantage of an opportunity was signing on with Firehouse Subs. "My
The father of five daughters praises the Sorensons, the firefighter brothers who founded Firehouse Subs, for their great family values. "They treat their employees and franchisees well. They're just a first-class operation," he says.
Davey, who in 2012 signed a 10-year contract to develop 42 restaurants in his native Wisconsin, especially appreciates Firehouse Subs' Public Safety Foundation. "It's a great foundation. We're saving lives and keeping people in the community safe by buying bulletproof vests for police, and fire trucks and other equipment for fire stations."
Name: Don Davey
Title: Owner/CEO, DKSS Subs (Florida), Badger Development Group (Wisconsin area developer), and Badger Restaurant Group (Wisconsin franchises)
No. of units: 20 Firehouse Subs
Age: 46
Family: Married to high school sweetheart Kristen; 5 daughters: Livy, Carly, Kuki, Chloe, and Kasey
Years in franchising: 12
Years in current position: 12
Formative influences/events:
I was the fourth of five children. We were raised by two extremely loving parents who taught us all to value faith, family, hard work, discipline, education, athletics, and having fun.
Key accomplishments:
Bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin; first and only four-time First Team Academic All-American in NCAA history; Green Bay Packers, 1991-95; Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-99; 2013 IFA Franchisee of the Year; and six-time Ironman finisher. And of course, this award is exciting as well.
Work week:
35 hours.
What are you reading?
Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray.
Best advice you ever got:
Be self-reliant (from my father).
What's your passion in business?
As an entrepreneur, I love being completely responsible for both our successes and our failures. It's stressful, but extremely rewarding.
Business philosophy:
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle)
Management method or style:
I grant both of my partners complete autonomy to run day-to-day operations as they see fit and hold them accountable for their results.
Greatest challenge:
Finding quality managers committed to our culture of excellence.
How do others describe you?
Driven, disciplined, hard-working--and hopefully--fair.
How do you hire and fire, train and retain?
My operations partners Scott Anthony and Eric Erwin handle all personnel issues. Our crew members are on the front line every day and we trust and value them to be ambassadors of the brand.
Annual revenue:
$14 million.
2014 goals:
Increase same-stores sales by 12 percent through the rollout of our new under-500 calories Hearty & Flavorful Menu.
Growth meter: How do you measure your growth?
The bottom line.
Vision meter: Where do you want to be in 5 years? In 10 years?
I'd like to have 25 more stores in Central Florida and 42 stores in Wisconsin.
What are you doing to take care of your employees?
We offer competitive salaries and wages, generous bonus potential, comprehensive healthcare plans, and a defined contribution plan with an employer match. We have a history of promoting from within, so our employees have tremendous opportunities for advancement. In an industry notorious for high turnover, some of our original employees are still with us today.
What kind of exit strategy do you have in place?
Someone once told me that entrepreneurship offers you the opportunity to create your own utopia. I love our food, our founders, our culture, our brand, my partners, and my employees. Why would I ever leave?
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