At Schnitz, success is built on genuine connections, both within our franchise network and the communities we serve. Keri Risetto, who joined Schnitz in 2019, has made these connections the cornerstone of her work as a Business Development Manager (BDM). With a background in hospitality and franchising, Keri is passionate about helping Franchise Partners not only build profitable businesses but also create strong, engaged teams that deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Nurturing Relationships to Drive Growth
Keri’s strength lies in her ability to connect with people – whether they’re Franchise Partners, team members, or customers. “Building strong relationships is essential,” she explains. “It’s not just about supporting Franchise Partners with numbers and compliance; it’s about understanding their passions, challenges, and vision for their business.”
Keri works closely with each Franchise Partner to ensure that they have the tools and guidance needed to succeed. “We focus on KPIs, local marketing, and customer service, but at the heart of it is creating a store culture that thrives,” she says. Through regular check-ins and collaborative planning, Keri helps Franchise Partners identify opportunities for growth while keeping their guests’ needs front and centre.
Enhancing the Customer Experience Through Leadership
One of Keri’s primary goals is to help Franchise Partners elevate the customer experience in their restaurants. “The guest is at the heart of everything we do,” she emphasises. Keri uses tools like Mystery Shopper reports, customer feedback, and KPIs to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
Her hands-on approach involves observing teams in action, providing feedback, and working alongside Franchise Partners to ensure that every guest has a memorable experience. “Great customer service isn’t just about training; it’s about creating a culture where teams feel motivated and empowered to do their best every day,” Keri explains.
Overcoming Challenges with Strategic Problem-Solving
Challenges are an inevitable part of running a business, but Keri’s proactive approach to problem-solving helps Franchise Partners navigate them successfully. Whether it’s managing labour costs, improving team engagement, or fine-tuning operations, Keri works closely with Franchise Partners to develop strategies that address these issues head-on.
“We look at everything from sales per labour hour to stock management processes,” she says. “By breaking down the data and creating action plans, we can pinpoint areas where stores are underperforming and implement solutions that lead to improvement.”
Celebrating Wins and Encouraging Growth
For Keri, success is measured not just by financial performance but by the growth and satisfaction of the Franchise Partners she works with. “I love celebrating the wins, no matter how small,” she says. “It’s about recognising the hard work of Franchise Partners and their teams and motivating them to keep pushing for more.”
Keri’s advice to potential Franchise Partners is to embrace the full scope of what Schnitz has to offer: “It’s more than just food and operations—it’s about understanding your local market, engaging with your team, and constantly improving the guest experience. If you’re passionate about food and people, you’ll find business satisfaction within the Schnitz network, and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”
Turn your passion for customer service and food into a thriving business. Explore our franchise opportunities now!