Rising Roll Gourmet Recruits Top Franchising Talent

By: Rising Roll Gourmet | 1,014 Shares 327 Reads

Experienced Franchising Exec Leaves Ham Business to Help Build Atlanta's 'Best Sandwich Shop'

February 19, 2008 // Franchising.com // Atlanta – After a successful career in franchising with Atlanta-based brands Heavenly Ham and HoneyBaked Ham, Tommy Williams has signed on as the Director of Operations with Rising Roll Gourmet, the hottest new gourmet sandwich-shop, raising the bar with its 50 different gourmet sandwiches, salads and exclusive daily soups.

"Tommy's decision to leave behind his lucrative and established career at one of Atlanta's most respected companies speaks volumes to the Rising Roll brand and growth potential," said David Smith, COO of Rising Roll Franchising Company, LLC, who worked with Williams at Heavenly Ham for more than 10 years prior to its acquisition by HoneyBaked Ham in 2002. "The Rising Roll team is honored that Tommy will help us build this budding brand."

With 13 stores operating in six states, covering a total of 35 territories, Rising Roll Gourmet is poised to create a nationwide sensation with its expansive lunch-hour menu featuring the freshest ingredients and innovative recipes, revolutionizing the typical lunch-hour sandwich. In addition to consistent walk-in traffic, Rising Roll Gourmet enjoys a steady revenue stream from recurring lunch catering orders from local businesses and corporations.

"I immediately saw Rising Roll's market potential with its freshness, quality, and selection of sandwiches, salads and soups that are really attractive to today's health-conscious consumers," said Williams. "When I saw the opportunity to team up with my old colleague, David Smith, to again build a really special brand, I jumped at the chance."

In addition to Williams' franchising expertise, Rising Roll Gourmet benefits from the leadership of executives at Franchising Concepts, a powerful franchise development company which acquired Rising Roll Gourmet in August 2007. Franchising Concepts is led by CEO, Mike Lassiter, a former Area Developer for Schlotzsky's Deli who has more than 25 years of experience in franchising. With an experienced management team leading the way, 80-100 Rising Roll locations nationwide are anticipated to be in franchise operation within the next five years, with a focus on quality over quantity.

Rising Roll Gourmet's was founded in 1996 by father and son team, Bob and Jeff Weiss, who applied their food industry and culinary backgrounds, to specifically create each sandwich with a combustion of flavors and ingredients. The result is supreme taste bud attracters such as, "Killer Bleu Turkey," with crumbled bleu cheese, oven-roasted turkey, hickory smoked bacon, tomato, and Thousand Island dressing on home baked bread.

About Rising Roll Gourmet

Rising Roll Gourmet, founded in 1996, began offering franchises in 2003. Rising Roll prides itself on serving outstanding, quality food – fast. Founded by father and son team, Bob and Jeff Weiss, Rising Roll uses a simple formula of tasty family recipes, fresh ingredients, and exceptional service to stand out to lunch time crowds across the nation. With currently 13 stores open and 35 territories sold, Rising Roll Gourmet is set to be the next 'rising' star in the fast-casual, restaurant industry. For more information, please visit www.risingroll.com.

About Franchising Concepts

Founded in 2002, Franchising Concepts partners with proven businesses to develop and implement a customized franchising program to meet business growth objectives. Under the guidance of CEO, Mike Lassiter, a former Area Developer for Schlotzsky's Deli, Franchising Concepts applies the value of quality over quantity across its variety of business relationships. They also offer four types of partnership plans to companies interested in expanding their business through franchising, in order to develop a beneficial plan for both parties. For more information, please visit www.franchisingconcepts.com.