ceoprofile
BY KERRY PIPES
THE MARCH TO 500 Scooter’s Coffee prepares for growth
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odd Graeve has motored his way through the Scooter’s Coffee organization. He’s been an area representative for the brand, served as chief financial officer for 8 years, and now is CEO. Under his leadership, the brand has opened 44 franchises over the past 18 months. And he says expect more to come. “We’ll be investing in the people and infrastructure needed to support and encourage growth,” he says. That will include adding directors and vice presidents in the marketing and operations departments. He also plans to double Scooter’s roasting and distribution facility by the first quarter of 2018. Franchisees are front and center at Scooter’s, and soon there will be more. Graeve says the company plans to add 40 to 50 new units in the next 18 months. “We’re seeking entrepreneurs in the Midwest and nationally who have interest in participating in our march to 500 stores,” he says. He also is focused on maintaining a culture of family with their employees and franchisees as Scooter’s progresses from a small company to a larger one. As an entrepreneurial company and culture, he says, “We’ll continue to be aggressive in our goals and growth trajectory. But it won’t be what defines us. Taking time to help others find success and purpose will be
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NAME: Todd Graeve TITLE: CEO COMPANY: Boundless Enterprises & Scooter’s Coffee UNITS: 166 AGE: 48 FAMILY: Wife Melanie and two daughters, Mackenzie and Madison YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 12 YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 1
our testimony. It will be what characterizes us at the end of the day.” Looking ahead, he expects a strengthening in same store sales and an increase in demand for the Omaha-based brand.
Leadership What is your role as CEO? I serve three key and very important groups of people: 1) our employees, 2) our franchisees, and 3) our private investors. I serve these groups by leading day-to-day operations of the company and support of our franchisees. I communicate vision and strategic direction and make sure that the company, our employees, and our franchisees have the resources they need to achieve success and advance short- and long-term initiatives. In addition, I actively attend to company culture and seek to nurture or grow key relationships internally, externally, and with our franchisees. Describe your leadership style. Although not always perfect, I strive to lead on a platform of humility and an “others first” frame of mind. As Zig Ziglar said: “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.” I balance that mentality with a firm commitment to a concise course of action and strategic goals. Also, building trust is key to effective leadership. Engendering trust takes time, humility, integrity, and a genuine and consistent commitment to doing what’s right and good for others.
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