Testimonials

McKenna Associates, Corp.

Serving clients since 1993

Competent, Quality Consulting and Solutions.

TESTIMONIALS from a few of the companies we have worked with

Some of the companies and what they say:

Rita’s Italian Ice - Dunkin’ Donuts -Meineke Mufflers -Foodee’s Pizza -Jiffy Lube -Taco Bell - Einstein/Noahs - D'angelo Sandwich Shops - Mobil Oil - MGW Group - Huddle House - Baskin-Robbins - Big O Tires - Long John Silver’s - Post Net - Great Clips - Breadsmith - Ziebart - Mazzio’s - Link Staffing Services - Norwalk Furniture - Great Harvest - Arby’s - Jack in the Box - Cousins Subs - Link Staffing - KFC - Frozen Fusion - Taco John’s - Verlo Mattress Co. - Blimpie - Grow Biz - Mail Boxes Etc. - CD Warehouse - Medicap Pharmacies - Color Tyme - Kraft - The Barbers - Hartz Chicken - Ace Cash Express - Marble Slab Creamery - Ben & Jerry’s - Choice Hotels - GNC - Ocmulgee Fields - Valvoline - Golden Corral - General Growth Properties - Texaco - University of New Hampshire - CFC - Friendly's - Pepperidge Farms - Denning House - Relax The Back - R.J. Gator's - Port of Subs - Golf Augusta Pro Shops - Triarc Group - Lube Pros - Bang & Olufsen - Coco's/Carrows - Checkers Drive-In - Arthur Andersen - Gold Star Chile - Togo’s Eateries - Domino’s Pizza - El Pollo Loco - Jennie Craig - Supercuts - Tires Plus – Athlete’s Foot – Indiana U – Circle K - Stone Cold Creamery - Aaron’s Rental Purchase - Charley’s Steakery - Precision Tune - Planet Beach Franchising - Nathan’s Famous - Popeye’s Chicken - Church’s Chicken - Kwick Kopy - At Work Personnel Services - Ace American Cash Express - Dollar Stores - Southland Corp. - Phillips 76 - Carvel - Maggie Moos - Sonic Drive-Ins

“We strongly recommend McKenna Associates, Corp. as a partner in developing solutions for critical strategic issues that your business faces. Jim McKenna brings years of experience to the table when helping to create value for your organization. McKenna Associates worked with us on a strategic reevaluation for one of the critical functions of our business. The range of his work included identifying resource requirements and allocation, process improvement, and evaluating human resource needs to achieve the strategy. His work became the basis of several years of excellent work that moved our business profitably forward. Jim also is a marvelous contact to discuss everyday issues that arise in our business and is an excellent source of advice! We strongly recommend his services!”
Drew Ritger, Sr. V.P. Planning & Purchasing
Sonic Drive-Ins

"I have known Jim McKenna for a long time. My son and I attended one of his comprehensive training sessions for the International Franchise Association. It was excellent and we were so impressed we hired him to work with us at Coffee Beanery on a process improvement project for our Real Estate Division. Jim has vast knowledge and expertise in all aspects of franchising. He is down to earth and easy to work with. Jim can help a new franchisor get off to a better start or a seasoned franchisor with any need. You will improve your entire franchise system if you work with Jim."
JoAnne Shaw, CEO
The Coffee Beanery

“I’ve known Jim McKenna for over 20 years and have found him to be the consummate franchising and real estate professional within the QSR industry. Jim’s background and experience enable him to view the franchising process through the eyes of the franchise prospect. This enables him to create systems that focus on those questions most often raised by prospects as they complete their due diligence. I’ve utilized Jim’s services as a consultant in developing franchisee recruiting material and systems as well as real estate processes to accelerate development for the franchisor. Jim’s attention to detail coupled with his personal engagement in every project that he undertakes makes for a winning team.”
Don Miller, (Former head of Development Services)
Allied Domecq, QSR

“We have worked closely with Jim McKenna for several years. He and his team provide a hands-on interactive approach to strategic planning with focus on a detailed SWOT analysis of the Customer, Competition, and Environment. A key Component is benchmarking the company’s performance against industry best practices and top performers. The goal of this results-driven process is to deliver operational excellence at all levels of the company.”
Tom Galligan, Executive Chairman
Papa Gino’s Holdings Corp.

“When I was running the Carvel ice cream franchise operation some years ago, Jim did great work helping us understand the causes of sometimes difficult relationships with our franchisees and some practical strategic approaches to solving them. Whether you are facing difficult problems in your franchise business or just looking to optimize results, Jim will bring a clear understanding of the dynamic of the franchisee/franchisor relationship developed over years of running franchise operations and helping to fix them.”
Atty. Scott Kern, (Former head of Carvel)
Kern & Hillman

“What comes in a package weighing about 200 Ibs. and exceeds 6 ft in height?? Probably the best consultant in the industry today. Lessons learned from actual experience and enhanced through continuing education. Literally a walking encyclopedia with Practical knowledge to back up all his recommendations. If you pass on the opportunity to work with Jim it will be both a professional and personal loss for you and your company.”
John Campbell (Former VP Development)
Long John Silver
Papa Johns Pizza

"McKenna Associates is much more than consulting! They have provided professional, dedicated service to our organization while staying connected to our vision. Not only did our company benefit from Jim's vast knowledge in the restaurant industry, but I also gained a mentor in the process."
Sofia Luna, President
Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine Franchising, LLC

I first worked with Jim McKenna and McKenna Associates 15 years ago when we were beginning to grow my former company, Rita's Water Ice Franchise Corp.
We were a young franchisor with a great concept, good business sense but not much franchise experience. Jim helped us establish a strong foundation and put the building blocks in place to build a great brand with a focused product line which we grew to 321 locations before we sold it in 2005.
John Tumolo, (Former V.P.(co-founder) Rita’s Italian Ice)
President, JAT Investments

Jim McKenna has served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Rosenberg International Center of Franchising at the University of New Hampshire since its launch in 2002. His contribution to the Center has been invaluable, especially given the depth of his knowledge and the breadth of his experience in the field of franchising. Jim has taught the Franchise course as a Visiting Professor at UNH and received outstanding reviews from the students for his ability to integrate current management practices and business strategies into his lectures. During my relationship with Jim over the past seven years, I have been greatly impressed with his leadership, professionalism and high ethical standards.
Udo A. Schlentrich, Ph.D., William Rosenberg Professor and Director
Rosenberg International Center of Franchising, Whittemore School of Business & Economics

Training Seminar Participants also had comments. A few of these follow:

“You don’t know how much you don’t know until you spend a couple of days with Jim!”
Mark Kartarik, Supercuts

“… real world solutions … case studies really drove home the principles”
Stephen Dunn, El Pollo Loco

"Excellent course! I wish everyone in my company were here to get the benefit. Everything discussed was very applicable to my everyday issues."
Gayle McMillin, Valvoline Instant Oil Change

"Extremely informative. Jim is a wonderful communicator and teacher. The class was fun but also I am taking home a great deal of useful information."
Vicky Sugg, CD Warehouse

"… is presented in a hands-on manner touching on all the important points of the development process."
Peter Charland, Golden Corral

"This course offers real solutions and real tools to deal effectively with real business problems. Key operations people should also take the course."
Healey Mendicino, Port of Subs

"The course was highly educational, entertaining and stimulating. The content was presented in a friendly, interactive approach … very worthwhile."
David Grossman, General Growth Properties, Inc.

"The case studies were excellent and allowed interaction and information sharing with executives from other growing companies."
Kevin Kruse, Triarc Restaurant Group

“… examples of success and failure of well known companies added relevant perspective”
Jeanine Vigeant, Jennie Craig International

"The encroachment portion of the seminar was worth the price of admission alone … information that I have not found elsewhere. The theory portion was thorough and the case studies reinforced the theory. Thanks! It was great!"
Rick Weinberg, Rita's Italian Ices

"Cutting edge technology for today's aggressive, focused-growth company! Great course. I really enjoyed it"
Jerry Greco, Coco's/Carrows

“... without a doubt, the best real estate seminar I have ever attended.”
Patrick J. Conley, Verlo Mattress Factory Stores

“Site selection is far too important to our business - not to use this expertise”
Don Miller, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins

“Real-world educational seminar ... I’m leaving with plenty of methods and tools for strengthening our Real Estate program.”
Bob Kirschner, Kraft Foods

“... a concise review of contemporary thinking, tools, and processes available to effectively manage and maximize site selection and growth, and improve franchisor/franchisee operating performance.”
Mike Roman, Mobil Oil Corp.

McKenna Associates, Corp.
52 Crestview Road, Milton, MA 02186
617 333-4967 Fax 866 425 4338
jmckenna@McKennaAssociatesCorp.com
info@McKennaAssociatesCorp.com