Bio
As a franchise consultant since 1985, Mark Siebert has worked with hundreds of franchisors, from startup operators to corporate giants. In 1999, Mark founded the iFranchise Group as an organization dedicated to developing long-term relationships with successful franchisors. He's an expert in evaluating companies for franchisability, structuring franchise offerings and developing franchise programs. The strategic planning recommendations Mark's developed have been instrumental in the growth and success of numerous national franchisors.
During his career, Mark has personally assisted more than 30 Fortune 1000 companies and over 200 startup franchisors. Some of the more prominent companies he's worked with include Ace Hardware, Armstrong World Industries, Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels, Berlitz, BP Oil, Bridgestone/Firestone, Chevron, Circle K, Coldwell Banker, Hallmark, IBM, John Deere, Lenscrafters, McDonald's, Mobil Oil, Ryder Truck Rental, Shell Oil and Texaco. He regularly conducts workshops and seminars on franchising around the world.
For more than a decade, Mark has been actively involved in assisting U.S. franchisors in expanding abroad. His efforts have been responsible for the sale of numerous international licenses. He's personally supervised the establishment of international consulting practices in Argentina, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Peru and the Philippines.
Mark is widely acknowledged as a leading authority on franchise expansion and finance, having led a joint venture in 1989 for the purpose of obtaining funding for franchisors. In 2001, he co-founded Franchise Investors Inc., an investment firm specializing in franchise companies.
Mark is on the board of directors of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. He's also on the board of advisors to Connections for Community Ownership, a program designed to encourage minority business and job development through franchising. He was recently named to the Franchise Times list of "20 To Watch" in franchising; was named in 2001 the AAFD's Supporting Member of the Year and was awarded the AAFD.Special Recognition Award in 2003.
With a B.S. in advertising and an MBA in marketing from Northern Illinois University, Mark is an internationally published author and has been widely quoted in the business press. He's taught graduate-level courses in franchising at DePaul University.