GT&S Franchise Executive Search Is Expanding

GT&S Franchise Executive Search, founded last year by Gary Gardner, Tom Portesy, and Scott Lehr, plans to hire more staff in 2021 to keep up with its growth.

Scott Lehr, Managing Partner & CEO of GT&S, said the firm successfully placed a much higher number of senior executives than expected in its first year, despite the global pandemic.

Based on that initial success and pent-up demand for franchise executives in these turbulent times, GT&S will be expanding its team.

“We will be looking for the right professionals for GT&S to be sure the high level of attention and personal approach each client deserves continues as the firm grows,” said Lehr. “We are being highly selective as to who we work with, knowing just how much work goes into each search.”

The decision to bring on additional staff anticipates the growing need for senior executives and is indicative of the firm’s commitment to provide the highest level of service in the industry.

Lehr says he will continue to work directly with each client and be involved in the final vetting. “The additional professionals we hire will help identify and qualify candidates,” he said.

Said Christina Russell, CEO of Radiance Holdings, the parent company of Sola Salon Studios and The Woodhouse Day Spa:  “I’ve worked with a number of search firms throughout my career and can say the effort and result by Scott is some of the best I’ve experienced and exceeded all my expectations.”

Two active searches now under way include:

• Chief Financial Officer for a 1,000-unit-plus franchisor in the Midwest
• Regional Operations Manager for a 500-unit-plus franchisor in the Mid-Atlantic

If you are interested in learning more about either of these active searches, or how GT&S can help your organization in your search for senior franchise executives, please reach out at [email protected].

GT&S is an executive search firm focused exclusively on matching qualified senior-level executives with franchise brands. GT&S was founded in 2019 by Gary Gardner, Chairman of Franchise Update Media; Tom Portesy, President and CEO of MFV Expositions; and Scott Lehr, who spent 29 years at the International Franchise Association (IFA), most recently as Executive Vice President of Development, Marketing, & Conferences.