FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

ROMANIELLO ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE IFA

IFA Announces 2013 Association Leadership and Board

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 20, 2013—Steve Romaniello, CFE, chairman of FOCUS Brands and managing director of Roark Capital Group, Atlanta, Ga., is the new chairman of the International Franchise Association. Romaniello accepted the chairman’s gavel during the 53rd IFA Annual Convention.

Romaniello has over 25 years of experience with top brands in the franchise industry and a history of successfully managing for long-term success. As Managing Director of Roark Capital Group, Romaniello is actively involved with Roark’s investments in FOCUS Brands, Wingstop, Corner Bakery, McAlister’s and Arby’s. Prior to joining Roark, Romaniello was CEO of FOCUS Brands, the franchisor and operator of over 3,300 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants and cafes in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 50 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky’s®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels, and the franchisor of Seattle’s Best Coffee® on certain military bases and in certain international markets. Before becoming CEO of FOCUS Brands, Romaniello served as president of Carvel Ice Cream.

Prior to his tenure at FOCUS Brands, Romaniello was president and COO of U.S. Franchise Systems (USFS), the franchisor of Microtel Inns & Suites® and Hawthorn Suites®, which are now part of the Wyndham Hotel Group. Romaniello helped grow USFS from one brand with 22 hotels in nine states to three brands and more than 500 hotels open in 50 states and five countries. Prior to joining USFS, Romaniello was a vice president at Holiday Inn Worldwide, where he was responsible for franchise services, support and training for 1,700 hotels in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean operating under the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands. During his tenure, annual franchise sales performance increased fivefold. From 1988 to 1991, Romaniello held various positions with Days Inn of America.

Romaniello received a B.A. from Tufts University.

2013 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Steve Romaniello, CFE

FOCUS Brands Inc. and Roark Capital Group

Chairman

Stephen Joyce

Choice Hotels International

Vice Chairman

Melanie Bergeron, CFE

Two Men And A Truck International, Inc.

Treasurer

Aziz Hashim

NRD Holdings, LLC

Secretary

Saunda Kitchen, CFE

Mr. Rooter of Sonoma County, Calif.

Franchisee Forum Chairwoman

John Kujawa, CFE

McDonald’s Corporation

Franchisor Forum Chairman

Michael Joblove

Genovese Joblove & Battista

Supplier Forum Chairman

Ex-Officio

Stephen J. Caldeira, CFE

International Franchise Association

President and CEO

Board of Directors

Doug Allison

PepsiCo

James Anhut

InterContinental Hotels Group

Jania Bailey, CFE

FranNet Franchising, LLC

David Barr

PMTD Restaurants

Susan Black-Beth, CFE

Super Wash, Inc.

Joe Bourdow, CFE

Valpak “

Liam Brown

Marriott International

Charlie Chase

FirstService Brands

Mitch Cohen

Baskin Robbins/Dunkin’ Donuts Bayshore, N.Y.

Carlton Curtis

The Coca-Cola Company

Rocco Fiorentino, CFE

Swiss Farm Stores

Darrell Johnson, CFE

FRANdata Corporation

Mark Kirsch, CFE

Gray Plant Mooty

Supplier Forum First Vice Chairman

David Liniger

RE/MAX, LLC

Gordon Logan

Sport Clips, Inc.

Robert McDevitt, CFE

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

Barry Miller

Sylvan Learning Center of Girard, Ohio

Catherine Monson, CFE

FASTSIGNS International

Tabbassum Mumtaz

Apex Restaurant Management, Inc.

Karen Powell, CFE

Decor&You

Todd Recknagel, CFE

AM Conservation Group, Inc. and Mr. Handyman Board Member

Michael Seid, CFE

CFWshops

Shelly Sun, CFE

BrightStar Franchising, LLC

Jeffrey Tews

BrightStar Healthcare of Madison, Wis.

Franchisee Forum First Vice Chairman

###

About the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.