Meet The Gold Star Franchise Executive Team
Experienced professionals stand ready to help franchise owners succeed
Roger David, President & CEO
Roger David started his career at Gold Star as a dishwasher and now leads the organization that boasts two iconic brands in its portfolio as President and CEO of GSR Brands, the parent organization and franchisor of two successful brands: Gold Star and Tom & Chee. David oversees a team of dedicated professionals working to continue building the Gold Star brand that the first generation of his family began more than 50 years ago. Since being named president and CEO in 2015, David has expanded the business to include Tom & Chee, the famous grilled cheese melts and soup restaurant chain that rocketed to stardom thanks to a successful appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, and the creation of GSR Brands.
Under his leadership, Gold Star has completed strategic updates to all areas of its business in order to drive success and growth for the next 50 years and beyond. A $25 million investment translated into a new restaurant look, menu and guest experience for its 80+ locations throughout Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. David believes restaurant brands are built table side and has advanced the company’s training and development efforts, as well as a deliberate investment into facility efficiencies in order to build environmentally-friendly restaurants, which pays off for franchise owners who are realizing improvements in labor costs, energy usage and employee productivity.
James Conover, CMA, Chief Financial Officer
Driving the financial success and planning for the future of Gold Star is at the heart of everything James Conover, CMA, does. Conover directs all aspects of financial activities for GSR Brands and its two flagship brands, Gold Star and Tom & Chee, overseeing all accounting, financing, treasury, budgeting, audit, tax, reporting and insurance activities for both brands.
He is well-versed in topics surrounding franchisee financing and accounting for franchise brands. For James, the key to Gold Star’s success is craveable food and a simple operations model designed for franchisee success.
Brian Harper, Vice President of Operations
Brian Harper serves as the Vice President of Operations at GSR Brands (Gold Star and Tom & Chee brands), a senior leadership position with the Company. In this role, Brian is responsible for leading the execution of the brand’s vision and strategy for all company and franchise operations in a way that achieves sales growth and best-in-class operations, while fostering a guest-centric culture. In addition, Brian drives the development, implementation and adoption of new procedures, processes and technologies for the long-term success of the Gold Star and Tom & Chee brands.
Prior to joining GSR Brands four years’ ago, Brian served as a strategic business consultant for both company and franchise operators at International Dairy Queen, Inc. for 25 years. Brian has a proven track record of success helping franchise owners drive operational and financial results while delivering an outstanding guest experience.
Jaimie Green, Human Resources Director
Jaimie Green is a seasoned, C-Suite experienced, Global Human Resources Executive. She possesses extensive experience in building successful people operations programs that include designing, managing, and facilitating. She has proven success in creating cultures of collaboration and implementing change to achieve workforce excellence. Jaimie has a track record of coaching in the areas of transformational leadership, communication, team building, and managing change. Her industry expertise includes technology, manufacturing, engineering, and hospitality. Jaimie is a results-focused leader who delivers solutions that help companies harness the full power of one of their most valuable assets – their people. She rounds out her experience with her Master’s degree in Human Resource Development.
Jamie Pollard, Senior Director of Marketing
Pollard started her career at Gold Star as a server while working her way to a college degree, where she quickly found value in the company’s passion-driven, family-oriented culture.
Now as Senior Director of Marketing, Pollard leads the team planning, developing and executing all marketing and communications initiatives across its portfolio of companies in order to hit and exceed critical business objectives. Pollard works to ensure the voice of the guest is reflected throughout the organization and across every company-owned and franchise restaurant, helping deliver on GSR Brands’ vision to create a more hospitable world. She also partners closely with franchisees and operations teams to support restaurant openings, local marketing efforts and community engagement initiatives across more than 60 locations.
Jenny Rachford, Franchise Development Manager
Rachford has a deep love for all things cheesy, and her experience backs it up. As co-founder of the nationally recognized brand, Tom & Chee, Rachford spent plenty of time promoting the cheese love on behalf of the brand. After Tom & Chee transitioned to the GSR Brands family, Rachford moved to her current role of franchise development coordinator. She is often the first face that prospective franchisees know when they explore Gold Star and Tom & Chee franchise opportunities, managing initial incoming franchisee and resale requests. She also coordinates and plans site selection activities, assists with real estate process and development, and maintains the brands’ updated franchise disclosure document and franchisee files.
Rachford is an active brand ambassador, involved in multiple public relations activities. She is an expert at building relationships with teams, clients and partners and can speak to the value community engagement and involvement plays in a restaurant’s success.
An experienced management team has franchise owners’ backs all day, every day. Wondering what else we have to offer? Click here and we’ll send over some detailed information and arrange a call so we can answer any questions you have.
