In a strategic move to further solidify its position as the nation's leading restaurant brokerage franchise, We Sell Restaurants has established a Franchise Advisory Board. This board, comprising three seasoned industry experts, is designed to propel the company's expansion and reinforce its commitment to delivering exceptional service and market insights to restaurant owners.

Located in Palm Coast, Florida, We Sell Restaurants has consistently dominated the restaurant brokerage sector. The formation of the Advisory Board marks a significant step in the company's ongoing pursuit of excellence.

A Message from the Founders

"We Sell Restaurants has consistently led the way in the restaurant brokerage sector, and this Advisory Board will be instrumental in driving our continued success," stated Robin Gagnon. "As a brand, we are committed to continuous improvement, ensuring our franchisees and clients receive top-tier service and market insights."

The We Sell Restaurants brand was launched over two decades ago by co-founders, Eric and Robin Gagnon. Eric said of the recent advisory board launch, “We are thrilled to have assembled such a talented and experienced Advisory Board. Their collective expertise will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our services, ensuring that We Sell Restaurants remains at the forefront of the restaurant brokerage industry. When asked how the advisory board will affect the operations of the brand going forward, he continues, “This strategic partnership will not only enhance our ability to support our franchisees but also further solidify our commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Meet the Advisory Board Members

The newly formed Advisory Board includes three distinguished business leaders, each contributing unique expertise to fuel the company's vision for growth:

David Humphrey: Vice-Chair and former CEO of Ignite Fitness Holdings. Humphrey has a celebrated career in franchising, having served as CEO of Ignite Fitness Holdings, a major franchisee group within the Planet Fitness gym chain. During his tenure, he oversaw the operation of over 125 Planet Fitness gyms across several states and provinces. Humphrey also serves as Chairman of Massage Heights Franchising, a 120-unit upscale spa franchisor, and is on the boards of Handel’s Ice Cream and Uni K Wax. Previously, he was CEO of Massage Envy Spa, where he doubled the size of the company to over 670 locations during his three-year tenure.

Humphrey also served as the Chairman of the International Franchise Association in 2024. His extensive experience in launching new ventures, fortifying brands, and driving sustainable growth will be invaluable to We Sell Restaurants. "Every franchisee in any industry needs options for exiting profitably when the time is right. I believe every franchisor, regardless of size or strength, needs a trusted partner for an exit strategy," Humphrey noted. "We Sell Restaurants is a tremendously successful business model that has the potential to extend into other categories, allowing Robin and Eric Gagnon to help a much broader range of clients."

Greg Cory: Managing Director of CTO Nation, Chief Product Officer at QModo AL, Inc., and Chief Technology Officer with the International Franchise Association. Cory is a recognized leader in franchising and business technology, with a history of streamlining operations and enhancing scalability through innovative technology solutions. He has spearheaded updates for the We Sell Restaurants website and is well-positioned to contribute to the brand's next phase of growth. Cory's expertise will be crucial in leveraging technology to unlock We Sell Restaurants' full potential.

"Based on the unit economics We Sell Restaurants is demonstrating, the potential for the business model is massive," said Cory. "Technology will be a key player for future expansion, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to help Robin and Eric reach their goals for the brand."

Josh Wall: Chief Operating Officer of Unleashed Brands. Wall is an accomplished brand leader with over 20 years of experience in franchise development and management. He has played a pivotal role in driving growth and strategic direction at Unleashed Brands, which encompasses more than 2,000 franchise locations across several youth enrichment brands. Before joining Unleashed Brands, Wall was instrumental in the expansion of Christian Brothers Automotive and Urban Air Adventure Parks. His expertise in strategic acquisitions, brand scaling, and market growth will be invaluable to We Sell Restaurants.

"The Gagnons have created an industry-leading process for helping restaurant owners sell their businesses with dignity while maximizing value. They are well-respected leaders and friends who have a great vision for the future," said Wall. "I am excited to add some value to their enterprise."

Benefits of Advisory Boards in Franchising

Strategic Guidance: Advisory Boards provide franchisors with strategic guidance, helping them navigate growth challenges and capitalize on opportunities. They bring diverse expertise that the franchisor may not possess internally, such as finance, technology, or market expansion strategies.

Improved Decision-Making: By offering objective opinions, Advisory Boards enhance decision-making processes, reducing the risk of decisions based on personal interests and improving the overall health of the franchise.

Risk Mitigation: Advisory Boards can help identify potential risks and address them before they become major issues, protecting the franchise's reputation and financial stability.

Innovation and Growth: They encourage the exploration of new products, services, and technologies, helping the brand stay competitive.

Recent Achievements and Recognition

We Sell Restaurants has achieved several notable milestones in the past year, solidifying its position as a leader in the restaurant brokerage industry:

Record Revenue and Listings: The company exceeded $90 million in sales revenue in 2024 and reached a record of 1,000 active listings with over $420 million in listing inventory by Q4 of 2024.

Expansion and Market Growth: We Sell Restaurants expanded into 11 new markets, attracting seasoned entrepreneurs and seeing three franchisees reinvest in the opportunity. The company achieved a 17.7% increase in transactions, significantly outperforming the broader market.

Awards and Recognition: We Sell Restaurants received the Top Franchisee Satisfaction Award in 2025 and was named Most Innovative, Most Profitable, Top Low-Cost, and Top Franchise Culture in 2024 by Franchise Business Review. The brand was listed among the fastest-growing private companies for the third consecutive year on the INC5000 list and ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for the second time, moving up seven spots.

Operational Improvements: Listings sold faster, with a decrease in the average number of days on the market. Average selling prices increased by 10.9%, reaching $274,652.

Fueling Growth in a Booming Industry

The restaurant industry presents substantial opportunities for brokerage expertise, with nearly one million restaurants in the U.S. and an estimated 20% of them for sale at any given time. Restaurants make up more than 28% of all franchise locations, with the total number of independent and franchised restaurant units surpassing 750,000 nationwide.

According to We Sell Restaurants’ 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Item 19, franchisees earned an average of $273,251 in gross commission income, with more than 40% of franchisees brokering over $1 million in sales.*

Join the We Sell Restaurants Franchise Network

As the company scales, We Sell Restaurants is offering franchise opportunities in select markets. Entrepreneurs and business professionals interested in entering the restaurant brokerage industry can learn more at www.wesellrestaurants.com/franchise.

About We Sell Restaurants

With over 20 years of experience, We Sell Restaurants is the nation’s premier business broker franchise specializing in restaurant sales, leases, and acquisitions. The company and its franchisees have facilitated thousands of restaurant transactions nationwide. Currently, We Sell Restaurants maintains an extensive listing inventory of nearly $450 million in available restaurant properties. For more information, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com.