Associate Member Listing

Support the Vendors

THAT SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION

COMPANY LEVEL CONTACT EMAIL PHONE

Elevanta Health Partner Caroline McShane memberservices@elevanta.com 678-797-5160

Lockton Affinity Mize Restaurant Group, providing Elevanta Payroll and Accounting Services McLane Foodservice Distribution Partner Reid Robson elevanta@locktonaffinity.com

Partner Martie Rison mrison@mizecpas.com

Diamond Lynn Modisette lynn.modisette@mclanefs.com

PepsiCo Retail Tech Inc. Campari America

Diamond John Ledva john.ledva@pepsico.com Emerald Shannon Johnson sjohnson@retailtechinc.com Sapphire Jess Hix Conlon jess.conlon@campari.com WyreStorm Technologies ProAV Corp. Sapphire Jim Reinhardt jim.reinhardt@wyrestorm.com Comcast Business Pearl Emma Prokesch eprokesch@gmrmarketing.com

Ecolab Pearl Kasey Beeler kasey.beeler@ecolab.com

Heineken

Pearl Chuck Mathison cmathison@heinekenusa.com New Belgium Brewing/Bell’s Brewery Pearl Kari Gladney kgladney@newbelgium.com Paulaner USA Pearl Scott Outwater soutwater@paulanerhpusa.com

Sazerac Pearl Candida Banti cbanti@sazerac.com

The Wasserstrom Co. Pearl Matt Brown mattbrown@wasserstrom.com 844-403-4947

800-234-5573

972-364-2050 732-618-8578 952-224-4327 281-851-7755 631-901-9709 631-624-3146 612-750-0759 770-377-6959 419-280-6015 845-702-8355 415-302-0202 614-737-8314

Affinitech Inc. AllianceHCM Anheuser-Busch Audio Visual Design & Install

Awning and Sign Contractors Assoc. Mbr. Charles Mattox cmattox@affinitechinc.com 727-331-1003

Assoc. Mbr. Jennifer Gordon jennifer@alliancehcm.com

281-825-4220 Assoc. Mbr. Mike Bouche michael.bouche@anheuser-busch.com 617-750-1924 Assoc. Mbr. Jason Abbott jrabbott@avdiusa.com

Assoc. Mbr. Tom Armstrong tarmstrong@awningandsigncontractors. com 260-615-8995

260-350-2818

BeatBox Beverages BeerBoard Boston Beer Co. Brown-Forman Corp. C&T Design and Equipment C Squared Advisors LLC Constellation Brands Assoc. Mbr. Jeff Diem

jdiem@beatboxbeverages.com Assoc. Mbr. Josh Solomon josh@beerboard.com Assoc. Mbr. Gary Fragle gary.fragle@bostonbeer.com Assoc. Mbr. Dennis Greenwood dennis_greenwood@b-f.com Assoc. Mbr. James Bales jbales@c-tdesign.com Assoc. Mbr. Pete DiFilippo pete@c2advisorygroup.com Assoc. Mbr. Tommy Becks tom.becks@cbrands.com Copesan – Specialists in Pest Control Assoc. Mbr. Ray Mannello rmannello@copesan.com Daltile Assoc. Mbr. Terrie Miller terrie.miller@daltile.com

Disaronno International Dras Cases Duvel USA Assoc. Mbr. Matt Borgard mborgard@disaronno.com Assoc. Mbr. Josh Flattum josh@drascases.com Assoc. Mbr. Michael Kelliher m.kelliher@duvelusa.com 317-506-9232 315-579-2360 770-402-9850 678-602-5996 317-654-3721 401-525-6771 636-438-8160 253-405-0860 216-409-3153 630-235-9816 507-402-4812 708-297-1142

E&J Gallo Winery Federal Heath Founders Brewing Co. G&G Closed Circuit Events Global Beer Network Green Dot Corp./rapid! Henny Penny Keurig Dr Pepper Lagunitas Brewing Co. Leasecake Inc. Assoc. Mbr. Gerald Sullenberger gerald.sullenberger@ejgallo.com 214-727-1844 Assoc. Mbr. Greg Root groot@federalheath.com 760-420-3590 Assoc. Mbr. Liz Waldman waldmanl@foundersbrewing.com 847-340-0619 Assoc. Mbr. Nicolas Gagliardi nick@ggccevents.com 888-756-5601

Assoc. Mbr. Christy Hanson christy@globalbeer.com Assoc. Mbr. Edward Cole scole@greendotcorp.com Assoc. Mbr. Nick Frantz nfrantz@hennypenny.com 720-331-1462 813-340-3276 937-456-8752

Assoc. Mbr. John Orgeron john.orgeron@kdrp.com Assoc. Mbr. Tommy Hunter tommy.hunter@lagunitas.com Assoc. Mbr. Chris Nashed chris@leasecake.com

678-333-2031 847-363-0639 407-720-3250 LG Electronics Assoc. Mbr. David Boerlin david.boerlin@lge.com 760-415-7797 Madison Brothers Consulting Group Inc. Assoc. Mbr. Nicole M. Durio nicole.durio@madisonbrothers.com 832-264-8668 Mahoney Environmental Assoc. Mbr. Cameron Calhoun cameronc@mahoneyes.com 910-465-6636 Molson Coors Beverage Co. Assoc. Mbr. Stephanie Vint stephanie.vint@molsoncoors.com 816-289-1786 NCA Consultants Group Assoc. Mbr. Linda Snyder lsnyder@ncaconsultants.com 727-530-0078 NCR Corp. Assoc. Mbr. Zachary Torrey zachary.torrey@ncr.com 260-223-9137

Netspend Ole Smoky Distillery One More Time Pabst Brewing Co. Pacific Premier Franchise Capital Paradox Pinnacle Commercial Capital Plymold Rack Draft Services Inc. Red Bull North America Remy-Cointreau SAVI Controls Seating Concepts ServSafe Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. SKECHERS Sprockets Stanley Security Stone Brewing TouchTunes TraitSet TredSafe/Walmart TriMark SS Kemp UPshow Valley Proteins Inc. Workstream Assoc. Mbr. Marene Harof mharof@netspend.com Assoc. Mbr. Mike Ross mross@osdistillery.com Assoc. Mbr. Alex Alvarez aalvarez@onemoretimeinc.com 678-642-8311 248-882-8668 323-839-8541

Assoc. Mbr. Matt Zarin mzarin@pabst.com Assoc. Mbr. Sharon Soltero ssoltero@ppbifranchise.com Assoc. Mbr. Tori Lasiter tori.lasiter@paradox.ai Assoc. Mbr. Bill Wildman wildman@pincomcap.com 210-428-9595 402-562-1801 404-368-6742 317-514-6906

Assoc. Mbr. Judy Ryan jryan@plymold.com Assoc. Mbr. Jimmy Rack jimmyrack@fuse.net Assoc. Mbr. Yamila Riquelme yamila.riquelme@redbull.com

507-789-8337 513-617-4896 917-544-2837 Assoc. Mbr. Ben Lorimer ben.lorimer@remy-cointreau.com 214-929-3441 Assoc. Mbr. Byron Baird bbaird@savicontrols.com 214-785-6510

Assoc. Mbr. Ken Hibben khibben@scicustom.com 815-483-2253

Assoc. Mbr. Winston Banks wbanks@restaurant.org Assoc. Mbr. Nick Bunce nick@sierranevada.com 630-703-9043 520-405-1727

Assoc. Mbr. Karl Hodoh karl.hodoh@skechers.com 785-608-8124

Assoc. Mbr. Tyler Chambers tyler@sprockets.ai 843-508-3027

Assoc. Mbr. Jim Tipton jim.tipton@sbdinc.com

913-515-7595 Assoc. Mbr. Kelly Stevens kelly.stevens@stonebrewing.com 213-880-5309 Assoc. Mbr. Nikki Hendricks nhendricks@touchtunes.com 847-840-0382

Assoc. Mbr. Dan Longton dan@hrgems.com Assoc. Mbr. Ted Travis ttravis@galaxycorp.com Assoc. Mbr. Rich Moore rich.moore@trimarksusa.com 239-877-0110 949-510-0950 216-217-9790

Assoc. Mbr. Scott Axonovitz scott@upshow.tv Assoc. Mbr. Ron Rogers rrogers@valleyproteins.com Assoc. Mbr. Ryan Anderson ryananderson@workstream.is 419-261-1802 540-877-3220 931-409-1440

Payment Solutions That Drive Your Business

Netspend® empowers businesses with payments products to help solve problems and streamline processes.

Netspend Earned Wage Access Paycard Tip Solutions Disbursements & Incentives

Ready to learn more? Contact us at businesspartnerships@netspend.com or call 1-800-421-5613

Meet the FBS Chairman: Jim Bitzonis

RSQ Foods LLC

Total Number of BWW® Locations: 11 States operated in: New York and Connecticut

Jim Bitzonis and his wife, Kirsten.

Q: How did you become a Buffalo Wild Wings® franchisee?

A: I put my way through college working at a Greek diner, so I knew about the restaurant business and how exciting it was — I enjoyed it. I never imagined going back after becoming a professional.

When I got disenchanted practicing law, there weren’t enough paying criminal cases to keep me interested. I started doing other types of law, like divorces, and it really drove me out of wanting to be a lawyer. I was unhappy, and the work was depressing.

My then-father-in-law was an industrialist, and he kept asking me to come work for him, but I resisted up until this point. He owned the Sweetheart Cup Co. and operated a bunch of factories in the Northeast. They were a large food-service operation, producing cups for McDonald’s and Wendy’s, along with their cutlery, straws and other takeout containers.

I finally agreed to work for him but under the condition that I wouldn’t move from Connecticut. So, he bought a factory there, and next thing you know, I was running this factory. I loved it.

After a few years, he sold the whole company to Solo Cup, their main competitor. That left me in a tough spot because I wasn’t an owner, so I didn’t know what I’d do next. He told me to find a business, and he would be my partner.

In 2004, I started looking around for good opportunities, thinking I wanted to get into steakhouses. That didn’t end up working out, and a friend suggested I look into Buffalo Wild Wings. I’m a sports fanatic, so I immediately thought it was great. The only sports bars around my area were small, dingey places, and I knew it would be smart to tap into this market.

I went and visited several successful franchisees’ stores, like Bobby Pancake, John Weiler and Michael Ansley. They were extremely helpful and instrumental in us becoming franchisees.

We essentially brought the concept to New England, always wanting to help potential franchisees open their businesses in neighboring states. I’ve met so many life-long friends and had so many great experiences that I never would’ve had without being a BWW® franchisee.

Q: In your opinion, what stands out about the BWW brand?

A: The word I like to use is unique. It’s a concept unlike anything else, and there’s nobody out there like us.

There’s nothing like being in a Buffalo Wild Wings on game day. We used to call it the stadium away-from-the-stadium. The excitement and energy are fantastic, and that’s what keeps me going.

Q: What are your goals for FBS as chairman?

A: I have a couple. First, I want to continue representing the membership’s concerns and best interests using all the experience I’ve earned and relationships developed by myself and all the extremely talented board members.

Our last conference was probably the best one we’ve ever had, according to the people who attended and the raving reviews we received. It wasn’t just a standard conference, and we had a lot more fun. I’ve vowed to continue that and start a new tradition.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most valuable benefit franchisees receive as members of FBS?

A: The organization is fantastic! We have so many smart, business-minded people as franchisees, and the sharing of information is so valuable for all of us.

There are so many opportunities if you need help with anything to do with owning a franchise, and it’s particularly helpful for smaller franchises that don’t have the benefit of scale because all services are leveraged through the association.

It’s our job to protect the franchise community and the brand as much as we can.

Q: What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

A: The devil is in the details.

Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge currently facing franchisees?

A: The current economic climate as a whole is making things difficult for franchisees. Inflation and the rising cost of goods are cutting into our bottom line. On top of that, the labor market is down and finding competent help is challenging. We want to keep our tenured staff members feeling fresh and not burnt out.

Q: What do you think could be a solution for this problem?

A: Electing business-oriented legislators.

Q: What is the biggest shift in the industry since you started as a franchisee?

A: Our business has changed with takeout and delivery being a considerable part of our operation. The pandemic-hangover is still affecting people, and we want to get more customers in seats in our sports bars.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I’m actually celebrating 10 years of marriage to my wife, Kirsten, today [Oct. 7]. It’s been 10 years of bliss.

I have three children, Zachary, Jake and Olivia, who are all adults now. None of them are involved in my business, but they have a great work ethic. They got that from me!

I’m close with my father, Aristotle, or Telly for short, and he just recently turned 96.