Sean Oatney is a seasoned franchise professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, dedicated to helping others achieve their goals in business growth and profitability. With a career spanning over 20 years, Sean has made significant contributions to the franchise industry, showcasing a remarkable track record of taking businesses to new heights of financial, competitive, and operational success.
Currently serving as the Vice President of Franchise Development at Tommy’s Express® Car Wash, Sean has been instrumental in driving the brand’s expansion and success. His role involves not only overseeing the growth of the franchise but also embodying a progressive thinker and change agent. Sean is known for articulating a clear direction with passion and detail, always looking towards the future with optimism. His leadership style involves leading by example, coaching, motivating, and inspiring teams to perform at their best, creating a culture of excellence and achievement.
In his tenure at Tommy’s Express® Car Wash, Sean has demonstrated versatility and vision, making significant strides in franchise development. His ability to formulate strong internal and external relationships has played a crucial role in delivering tangible results. Upholding the highest standards of integrity, Sean has become a driving force behind the success of the franchise.
Prior to his current role, Sean served as the Executive Vice President at United Franchise Group for nearly nine years. In this capacity, he played a key role in awarding franchise licenses and managing the regional support operations staff for several franchise brands under the United Franchise Group umbrella. These brands included Venture X, Jon Smith Subs, The Great Greek, Accurate Franchising, Resource Operations International, Network Lead Exchange, and Graze Craze.
Sean’s responsibilities at United Franchise Group were extensive and diverse. He guided potential franchise owners through the exploration process, especially those who did not have prior business or industry experience. His role extended from the initial stage to closing, overseeing the entire new store development pipeline. Sean’s expertise was crucial in helping franchisees and multi-unit operators build and grow successful businesses in their local communities, providing essential business coaching, P&L analysis, and marketing support.
One of Sean’s noteworthy achievements was managing the Glocal resale process of existing franchise locations. This involved a comprehensive approach to franchise resale, combining global and local strategies to optimize the process. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in providing real estate assistance in location searches, aiding in negotiations, and offering ongoing training and support at a local level.
Sean’s commitment to the success of franchise owners extended to providing financing assistance for both new and existing franchisees. His involvement in sales and marketing training and support showcased his dedication to empowering franchisees with the knowledge and tools needed for success in a competitive market.
Before his tenure at United Franchise Group, Sean held various leadership roles, including Director of Sales and Regional Vice President, where he consistently drove growth and profitability. His experience extends across diverse industries, including roles at Grimco, Inc. and as the Owner and Operator of Midwest Graphics, a retail sign company in the Columbus, OH area.
Sean’s journey in the franchise industry is underpinned by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the development of meaningful relationships. His leadership style, characterized by vision, adaptability, and integrity, has left an indelible mark on the organizations he has been a part of.
In addition to his professional achievements, Sean Oatney has a solid educational background, including a degree in Graphic Design from Columbus College of Art & Design and further studies in Business Administration and Management at Ohio University.
Throughout his career, Sean has not only demonstrated a keen understanding of franchise development but has also actively contributed to the growth and success of the franchise industry as a whole. His journey is a testament to the transformative impact that dedicated and visionary professionals can have on the franchise landscape.
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