David Barr
Investor, Strategist, Operator
& Board Member
“Franchising is the licensing of a business model that produces predictable cash flows to an average franchisee, with average intelligence, with average work ethic on an average day.”
Meet
David Barr
focused on building durable franchise and consumer brands
Drawing on an early career in finance with Price Waterhouse, Pizza Hut, and Great American Cookies (where he served as CFO and later CEO) he brings both Wall Street discipline and operator experience to the companies he serves.
David has chaired the International Franchise Association and regularly engaged with congressional leaders and White House staff on legislation affecting small businesses and franchising.
He currently invests in and sits on the boards of multiple public and private companies in the U.S. and abroad, with a concentration in restaurant and consumer-facing concepts. Through his own private equity, he is also an active multi-unit franchisee across several well-known brands such as KFC, Taco Bell, Capriotti’s and Spice & Tea Exchange.
“For new entrepreneurs, the primary new skill needed is the ability to distinguish signal from the noise. Focus on what moves the needle. Everything else is noise.”
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Coming Soon!
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Interested in working with David Barr Or booking him to speak at your next event?
“Nothing is more impactful for franchisors than reviewing franchisee income statements every month. Many say their number one goal is franchisee profitability, yet they don’t look at the income statements routinely. Would you ignore other ‘critical’ KPIs in this way?”
Leadership & Board Service
Board of Directors - China
Chairman/Fusion
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Chairman/Fusion
Lead Independent Director
Co- Founder, Partner
Board of Advisors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Chairman
Co-Founder, Partner
Board of Advisors
Multi-Unit Franchisee
Multi-Unit Franchisee
Multi-Unit Franchisee
Board of Directors
Board of Directors '12-'24
Board of Directors '16-'20
Chairman '19-'20
Board of Directors '08-'19
Board of Directors '08-'16
Board of Directors '07-'15
Former Majority Owner
Board of Directors '12-'15
Board of Directors '14-'15
Chairman '07-'14
Board of Directors '13-'14
Chairman '00-'09
CEO '94-'98
CFO '91-'94
“David Barr has been a tremendous asset to our board. His depth of franchising knowledge, pattern recognition, and steady judgment have meaningfully influenced our strategy and decision making. He brings clarity, candor, and real operator wisdom.”
— Omar Soliman,
College Hunks Hauling Junk, Co-Founder“It’s hard to think of someone in franchising who has a wider range of experience and success than David Barr. Through his leadership in IFA and with his perspective as a franchisor, franchisee, investor, advisor and mentor, there’s not a seat at the table in franchising he hasn’t had.”
— Matt Haller
International Franchise Association, President“I’ve known David Barr for 20 years now and learn something I can use to improve my Business each time I listen to him. His common sense approach to being a good franchisor matched with his extensive franchising experience make him an important voice in business.”
— Mary Kennedy Thompson
BNI, CEO