Meet Our Team
President
Andy Klie
(716) 208-6900
Andy holds an MBA in Finance from University of North Carolina Charlotte and a BS in Business Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He has over 20 years experience in franchising including operations, real estate, financing, Area Development and franchise sales.He has helped award over 500 franchises for both emerging and established franchise concepts. Since 2008, he has been President of Franchise Development Group. FDG consults with start-up franchises guiding them through the entire franchise process and helping them award franchises. FDG has been instrumental in the launching of over 200 new franchise concepts.
Director of Operations
Beth Smith
(716) 912-9738
Beth has worked in a variety of fields over an extensive career.
As a former CFO of a telecommunications company, she spent years living and traveling across Europe.
For which she spent years living and traveling around Europe, she learned various techniques of how to effectively promote businesses’ financial and commercial objectives. Her high energy and acute business acumen have been her strongest qualities when dealing with new and existing clients.
Franchise Analyst
Joe Ruminski
+1 (716) 531-5266
With a background rooted in sales and marketing, Joe has helped dozens of companies develop into franchise concepts. Over the last 25 years, he's held sales and service jobs with numerous companies including newspapers, construction companies and restaurants.
This diverse experience enables him to help brands across many different industries develop into franchises.
Joe lives in Buffalo with his wife, 4 kids and 2 dogs ... and is a lifelong #BillsMafia and Buffalo Sabres fan!
Director of Business Development
Tyler Clark
(607) 923-0051
Tyler holds a bachelor’s in finance from the University at Buffalo. As part of the Franchise Development Group team, he brings nearly a decade of experience in hospitality and customer service. Tyler acts as the first point of contact for emerging businesses looking to
implement a franchise model into their current business plan.
Franchise Analyst
Doug Rifenburg
+1 (716)-523-4210
Doug holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Management & Exercise Science from the University at Buffalo and brings over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business ownership. Currently, he serves as an Executive Director for a Buffalo-based nonprofit while also leveraging his expertise as a Business Development Advisor with Franchise Development Group.
In this role, Doug helps businesses scale and expand their brands regionally and nationally through strategic franchising.
Director of Kentucky Regional Development
Bob Forst
(502)-387-2191
A graduate of the University of Louisville, Robert worked his way through college while attending full-time. He successfully completed his education in Economics, Business-Public Relations, with a minor in Political Science. During his time at the university, Bob also served as Captain/Player for the University of Louisville Rugby Team.
After graduation, Bob began his career in logistics, starting on the dock and progressing to become an Area Manager at Airborne Express Inc./DHL, where he was responsible for managing over 350 employees and 5 facilities. Airborne Express/DHL is a recognized international leader in the cargo industry. He later served as Vice President and General Manager for a national trucking firm, followed by his role as President/CEO of his own logistics company and as a consultant within the logistics industry.
Bob has extensive experience in both public and private organizations, excelling in sales, operations management, industrial engineering standards, and corporate administration. His expertise includes start-up operations, quality assurance, and turnaround and growth strategies. As a key contributor to all the companies he has worked with, Bob has consistently demonstrated a proven track record of improving processes, people, and products. He has also supported the growth and success of Franchise Development Group clients and franchisors.
Bob is an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including:
• Delta Nu Alpha (a transportation organization)
• Greater Louisville, Inc.
• The Rotary Club
•Elks
• Aero-Aviation Club of Louisville
•The Louisville Chamber of Commerce.
In April 2013, Bob earned his Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) certification and continues to expand his knowledge in franchising through his involvement with several successful franchise launches and expansions.
Director of California Regional Development
Geoffrey Hassan
805-453-8574
Geoff has worked with Franchise Development Group since 2006 bringing to market some of our largest and most successful clients. He has over 30 years of B2B sales and business development experience allowing him to best position FDG clients for growth as a highly successful franchise system.
Geoff will help you through the entire franchise process including meeting the legal requirements, developing your operations manual, marketing your business opportunity to potential buyers, and closing franchisee sales. Once you have started the process, he will assist in giving you the tools you need to grow and manage your franchise system.
Meet Our Team
President
Andy Klie
(716) 208-6900
Andy holds an MBA in Finance from University of North Carolina Charlotte and a BS in Business Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He has over 20 years experience in franchising including operations, real estate, financing, Area Development and franchise sales.He has helped award over 500 franchises for both emerging and established franchise concepts. Since 2008, he has been General Manager of Franchise Development Group. FDG consults with start-up franchises guiding them through the entire franchise process and helping them award franchises. FDG has been instrumental in the launching of over 150 new franchise concepts. Andy has also franchised his own business expanding Franchise Development Group’s presence across the United States.
Director of Operations
Beth Smith
(716) 208-6900
Beth has worked in a variety of fields over an extensive career.As a former CFO of a telecommunications company, she spent years living and traveling across Europe.
For which she spent years living and traveling around Europe, she learned various techniques of how to effectively promote businesses’ financial and commercial objectives. Her high energy and acute business acumen have been her strongest qualities when dealing with new and existing clients.
Franchise Analyst
Doug Rifenburg
+1 (716)-523-4210
Doug holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Management & Exercise Science from the University at Buffalo and brings over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business ownership. Currently, he serves as an Executive Director for a Buffalo-based nonprofit while also leveraging his expertise as a Business Development Advisor with Franchise Development Group.
Currently, he serves as an Executive Director for a Buffalo-based nonprofit while also leveraging his expertise as a Business Development Advisor with Franchise Development Group. In this role, Doug helps businesses scale and expand their brands regionally and nationally through strategic franchising.
Director of Business Development
Bob Forst
(502)-387-2191
A graduate of the University of Louisville, Robert worked his way through college while attending full-time. He successfully completed his education in Economics, Business-Public Relations, with a minor in Political Science. During his time at the university, Bob also served as Captain/Player for the University of Louisville Rugby Team.
After graduation, Bob began his career in logistics, starting on the dock and progressing to become an Area Manager at Airborne Express Inc./DHL, where he was responsible for managing over 350 employees and 5 facilities. Airborne Express/DHL is a recognized international leader in the cargo industry. He later served as Vice President and General Manager for a national trucking firm, followed by his role as President/CEO of his own logistics company and as a consultant within the logistics industry.
Bob has extensive experience in both public and private organizations, excelling in sales, operations management, industrial engineering standards, and corporate administration. His expertise includes start-up operations, quality assurance, and turnaround and growth strategies. As a key contributor to all the companies he has worked with, Bob has consistently demonstrated a proven track record of improving processes, people, and products. He has also supported the growth and success of Franchise Development Group clients and franchisors.
Bob is an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including:
• Delta Nu Alpha (a transportation organization)
• Greater Louisville, Inc.,The Rotary Club
• Elks
•Aero-Aviation Club of Louisville
• The Louisville Chamber of Commerce.
In April 2013, Bob earned his Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) certification and continues to expand his knowledge in franchising through his involvement with several successful franchise launches and expansions.
Director of California Regional Development
Geoffrey Hassan
805-453-8574
Geoff has worked with Franchise Development Group since 2006 bringing to market some of our largest and most successful clients. He has over 30 years of B2B sales and business development experience allowing him to best position FDG clients for growth as a highly successful franchise system.
Geoff will help you through the entire franchise process including meeting the legal requirements, developing your operations manual, marketing your business opportunity to potential buyers, and closing franchisee sales. Once you have started the process, he will assist in giving you the tools you need to grow and manage your franchise system.
(716) 208-6900