Fransmart has named Sara Schmillen as its new Chief Marketing Officer, signaling a strategic move to further scale its portfolio of emerging restaurant and retail franchise brands. With more than two decades of experience in the restaurant and franchise sectors, Schmillen is known for building high-impact brands and delivering measurable growth.
In her new role, Schmillen will lead marketing strategy across Fransmart’s expanding brand portfolio, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a growth engine for franchise concepts. She expressed enthusiasm about helping emerging brands stand out in a competitive market and connect with top-tier franchisees nationwide.
Schmillen also leads an all-women marketing team at Fransmart, a milestone the company highlighted during Women’s History Month. The team supports brand strategy and franchise development, reflecting a broader commitment to diversity and leadership development.
Prior to joining Fransmart, Schmillen held senior roles at Kahala Brands, where she led national campaigns for concepts including Cold Stone Creamery. Most recently, she served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer at Snooze Eatery.
Fransmart, founded by Dan Rowe, has spent more than 20 years scaling brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries, QDOBA Mexican Grill, and The Halal Guys from small concepts into global franchise leaders, with more than 5,000 franchises sold worldwide.