Brian Quinn, a seasoned hospitality executive with impressive success in franchise expansion, has joined Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s Board of Directors effective March 13, 2025. Quinn will serve on multiple key committees including Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit, and Compensation. His appointment comes as the renowned chocolate retailer pushes forward with ambitious growth plans focused on franchise development. Jeff Geygan, Interim CEO of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, highlighted Quinn’s expertise in franchise expansion and brand development as “invaluable” to the company’s strategic growth initiatives.
A Strategic Addition to Fuel Franchise Growth
The appointment of Brian Quinn to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s Board signals the company’s serious commitment to expansion. Quinn brings decades of franchise development experience at a critical time for the chocolate retailer. His proven track record in growing franchise operations aligns perfectly with RMCF’s current strategic priorities. The company has been actively working to refresh its brand and accelerate franchise development across its network.
Quinn’s role will extend beyond typical board duties as he’ll participate in three vital committees. His influence on Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit, and Compensation committees positions him to impact core business operations and strategy. This comprehensive involvement demonstrates RMCF’s confidence in Quinn’s ability to drive meaningful change.
Jeff Geygan, the company’s Interim CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment in a statement: “Brian’s expertise in franchise expansion and brand development will be invaluable as we pursue our strategic growth initiatives.” This executive endorsement highlights the strategic importance of Quinn’s addition to the leadership team. His specialized knowledge in scaling franchise operations comes at an ideal time for the chocolate retailer.
The move follows similar leadership additions across the food industry, including recent Hershey’s growth officer appointment that similarly focused on expansion capabilities. Both companies recognize the value of specialized franchise development expertise at the executive level. Quinn’s appointment represents more than just filling a board seat—it’s a strategic decision to help guide RMCF’s next growth phase.
Quinn’s Impressive Hospitality Industry Track Record
Brian Quinn currently serves as Chief Development Officer at Sonesta International Hotels, where his impact has been nothing short of transformative. Under his leadership, Sonesta achieved remarkable expansion, growing from fewer than 100 locations to over 1,000 properties in just five years. This explosive growth demonstrates Quinn’s exceptional ability to scale franchise operations efficiently and effectively.
His accomplishments extend beyond simple numeric growth. Quinn orchestrated the $100 million acquisition of Red Lion Hotel Corporation, showcasing his strategic vision and ability to execute complex business transactions. This acquisition experience could prove valuable for RMCF if they pursue inorganic growth strategies alongside their franchise development.
Quinn’s brand development expertise also stands out among his qualifications. Throughout his tenure at Sonesta, he launched nine entirely new brands while simultaneously revitalizing eight existing ones. This balanced approach to portfolio management and innovation mirrors challenges that many established food retailers face—maintaining core brand identity while exploring new market opportunities.
Before joining Sonesta, Quinn held leadership positions at several major hospitality companies including Choice Hotels International, Red Lion Hotels, and InterContinental Hotels Group. This extensive background across multiple major hospitality brands gives him valuable perspective on different franchise models and growth strategies. Like other recent food industry appointments, Quinn brings cross-industry insights that can drive innovation.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s Growth Ambitions
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has established itself as a beloved premium chocolate retailer. The company currently operates nearly 260 stores across the United States and internationally. This existing footprint provides a solid foundation for the expansion plans that Quinn will help shape.
RMCF offers a wide range of chocolate treats and confectionery items, with stores known for their engaging in-store experience. Customers can often watch chocolate-making demonstrations while browsing premium chocolate selections. This experiential retail approach differentiates the brand in an increasingly competitive specialty food market.
Recent company efforts have focused specifically on expanding franchise operations and strengthening brand presence. Quinn’s appointment directly supports these priorities with his specialized expertise. The company’s website (https://www.rmcf.com/) highlights both retail and franchise opportunities, reflecting its dual focus on consumer experience and business development.
The chocolate retailer faces both challenges and opportunities in today’s market. Changing consumer preferences, digital transformation, and supply chain considerations all impact specialty food retailers. Similar to other chocolate industry leaders, RMCF must balance tradition with innovation as they look to expand their market reach.
What Quinn Brings to the Chocolate Retailer’s Future
Quinn’s expertise in franchise growth comes at a perfect time for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. His proven ability to scale franchise operations quickly directly addresses RMCF’s stated goal of accelerating store growth. The company can potentially adapt strategies Quinn implemented at Sonesta, where he achieved 10x location growth in just five years.
Beyond simply adding more stores, Quinn’s experience revitalizing existing brands will prove valuable for RMCF’s established brand. Any mature retailer must periodically refresh its image and offerings while maintaining core identity. Quinn’s success with eight brand revitalizations at Sonesta demonstrates his skill with this delicate balance.
His committee assignments also reveal the comprehensive nature of his role. By serving on governance, audit, and compensation committees, Quinn will influence not just growth strategy but also operational excellence and talent development. This holistic approach increases his potential impact on the company’s performance.
Companies across the food and hospitality sectors frequently exchange best practices, making Quinn’s cross-industry perspective particularly valuable. Just as bakery businesses can apply hospitality principles to improve operations, RMCF can benefit from Quinn’s hotel industry insights. This cross-pollination often drives innovation in customer experience, digital strategy, and operational efficiency.
Strategic Implications for RMCF’s Future
Quinn’s appointment signals a new chapter focused on aggressive but calculated growth. The company appears poised to leverage his expertise to overcome current franchise development challenges and capitalize on market opportunities. His track record suggests potential for significant store count increases if his strategies are successfully implemented.
The move also reflects broader industry trends toward specialized expertise at the board level. Much like when Tim Ryan joined Rich Products’ board, RMCF is bringing in specific skills aligned with strategic priorities. This targeted approach to board composition helps companies address their most pressing business challenges.
Operational improvements likely represent another focus area for Quinn’s influence. His experience managing complex hotel franchise systems can translate to more efficient chocolate retail operations and logistics. Potential improvements could include standardized training programs, optimized supply chain management, and enhanced quality control systems.
For RMCF investors, Quinn’s appointment provides reason for optimism. His history of driving substantial growth at Sonesta suggests similar potential for the chocolate retailer. If he can help RMCF achieve even a fraction of the growth he facilitated at Sonesta, stockholders could see significant value creation in the coming years.
Looking Ahead: What This Means For Chocolate Lovers
For customers and chocolate enthusiasts, Quinn’s appointment potentially means greater accessibility to RMCF products. If his strategies successfully expand the franchise network, more communities will gain access to the company’s premium chocolate offerings. This expanded footprint could introduce the brand to entirely new customer segments.
Product innovation may also accelerate under Quinn’s guidance. His experience launching new brands suggests an aptitude for identifying market opportunities and developing targeted offerings. RMCF could potentially expand into new product categories or develop specialized collections while maintaining their core chocolate focus.
The in-store experience, already a brand differentiator, might see enhancements based on Quinn’s hospitality background. His understanding of customer journey and experience design from the hotel industry could translate to refreshed retail environments and interactions. These improvements would further distinguish RMCF in the competitive specialty food landscape.
For those interested in learning more about Quinn’s appointment or RMCF’s strategies, investor relations contact Sean Mansouri (CFA, Elevate IR) can be reached at 720-330-2829 or via email at RMCF@elevate-ir.com. As the company moves forward with Quinn on board, both customers and investors can expect to see his influence shape the future direction of this beloved chocolate brand.