PANELISTS

Clifton Rutledge | CEO | Shipley Do-Nuts

Clifton Rutledge is a proven industry leader and executive with over 35 years of experience in numerous restaurant companies throughout the U.S. Clifton is a visionary leader with extensive experience in communications, product development, strategic oversight and planning, financial analysis, contract negotiations, franchising, key partnership development, operations management, mergers and acquisitions, and human resources. Prior to joining Shipley, he was COO at Jack’s Restaurants, president and CEO at Bojangles’s Chicken and Biscuits and COO and senior vice president at Whataburger Restaurants LLC. Previously he operated in several positions at KFC.

Jeff Sturgis | Chief Development Officer | Another Broken Egg Cafe

Jeff Sturgis is Chief Development Officer for Another Broken Egg Cafe, leading all restaurant franchise and development functions for both company and franchise units. Jeff is an accomplished, experienced and strategic senior franchising executive. His deep experience, knowledge and understanding of all development functions gives him the ability to align development strategy with unit level operational dynamics and with overall organizational goals and strategy. His experience includes leading cross-functional teams in single and multi-brand environments with the goal of driving intelligent and sustainable unit growth. Jeff has held several senior leadership positions in the franchise industry including Chief Development Officer for Fazoli’s Restaurants and Chief Development Officer for McAlister’s Deli.