THE FRANCHISING TEAM
Frank Lopreiato Chief Development officer since 2000
In addition to serving in various executive levels at Shoeless Joe’s head office, Frank worked hands-on as an owner/operator of Shoeless Joe’s franchises. From 2004 to 2008 Frank owned and operated multiple Shoeless Joe's Restaurants. With this experience in tow, Frank is uniquely able to grasp franchisee’s needs and challenges – from both the creative-driven perspective of an entrepreneur to the strategic administrative and bottom-line lens of restaurant owners and decision-makers on the business side.
At head office Frank served as Vice-President of Concept Development of Shoeless Joe’s from 2000 to 2007 and was promoted to Chief Development Officer in January 2008.
Joel Friedman Senior Vice President of Franchising and Real Estate since June 2008.
Joel currently serves on the CFA’s Ontario Associate Committee. From 2004 to 2008, Joel worked with Prime Restaurants as Senior Sales, Strategic Development & Non-Traditional Channels as well as Manager, Licensing & Development Ontario & Atlantic Region. While at Prime Joel was responsible for developing new franchise ownership strategies for all restaurants franchised by Prime Restaurants (Casey’s, East Side Mario’s and Prime Pubs.) He was responsible for new franchise deals, establishing and improving existing processes, and was the point of contact for banks on all financing. He was also a member of the Corporate Brand Development Committee and the Approval Board.
Prior to that Joel worked as Senior Director Business Development for National Grocers Retail (Division of Loblaw’s Inc.)
Michelle Belisle
Manager of Franchise Sales since November 2009.
Michelle joined Shoeless Joe’s in late 2009 after having spent two years as National Development Manager for Prime Restaurants representing Casey’s and Prime Pubs brands. Ms. Belisle is responsible for the promotion of new franchise developments as well as the recruitment and selection of new franchisees.
Prior to joining the franchising industry Michelle spent several years as an independent restaurant/club owner in downtown Toronto. Additionally her past experience includes working with leading Canadian financial institutions, law firms, and food and beverage companies.
Cindy Ong Franchise Sales Associate since August 2006.
Cindy’s exceptional performance earned her recognition in the form of a promotion to head office where her knowledge is utilised to improve the franchisee recruitment processes and legal compliances throughout the various stages of purchasing a Shoeless Joe’s Franchise.
