> Meet Our Team

Shawn Saraga

Shawn Saraga is the President and the visionary of the franchise and real estate development consulting agency called Mr. Franchise. With a wealth of experience in franchising and growth strategy in various reputable corporations such as Rapid Print, Continental Press, Pizza Pizza, Postnet Canada, MR. GREEK Restaurants, Druxy’s Famous Deli, and SWANN Fitness Centre For Women, Rasoee Indian Kitchen, and The Academy for Mathematics & English. Shawn currently represents Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill & Glama Gal Tween Spa. The awareness of this brand has increased making it stronger than ever before. Currently, Shawn is highly involved with Mount Sinai Hospital & Nishema and was with numerous charities including North York Harvest Food Banks, Youth In Motion, Well of Change, TIP, Make A Wish Foundation. He was chair of 2008 and 2009 Canadian Franchise Association Convention.

Alexandra Grudkin

Alex Grudkin is presently the General Manager of Franchising and Real Estate Development. Previously, she has worked as a supervisor at various market research and telemarketing firms and was a great asset to the organization with her superior multi-tasking abilities. She has also gained plenty of experience working in various Franchises within the food service industry. Alex is currently working on a degree in a business program at York University and is specializing in Human Resource Management. In essence, she has a relatively diverse employment background alongside the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the business environment today. Additionally, Alex is responsible for coordinating our many tradeshows and the preparation of leasing documents and resales. Alex brings a work ethic to our company that is demonstrated in all of her daily activities. Our franchisor and franchisees have come to rely on her for communicating with our organization.

Michael Kotler, MBA, CA, CPA (Illinois)

Michael Kotler spent the last 7 years in a boutique restructuring/turnaround consulting firm as part of a outsourced management team. During his tenure, he worked closely with 17 companies with revenues from $5 million to over $200 million. He is a seasoned professional who has advisory experience in a wide range of industries including, automotive, manufacturing, technology, consumer products and real estate. He has developed strategic action plans, prepared financial models and valuations, negotiated vendor and customer agreements, and managed the day-to-day operations for several large public and private companies resulting in the restoration of stakeholder value. Michael currently has his own consulting practice where he works closely with his clients and applies his hands on experience to enhance shareholder value. Michael formerly worked in private equity and a large accounting firm. He holds an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago in Finance and Entrepreneurship and is a Canadian Chartered Accountant and a CPA (Illinois).

Talya Drescher

As a Business Development Manager for the Mr. Franchise team, Talya provides great input on Mr. Franchise’s Real Estate and Franchise development strategies in relation to the Glama Gals brand. Talya adds significant energy to the Mr. Franchise team and in her ability to bring about exposure to this new and emerging system. Talya is developing her skills comprehensively in commercial real estate sectors. Perseverance, unwavering commitment and loyalty contribute to just part of the exceptional dedicated character Talya brings to her profession.

Payam Katebian

Payam Katebian is currently the Site Scouter in real estate development for Mr. Franchise. Presently, he is enrolled in York University’s Business Administration program, specializing in Marketing. Recently, he has earned his Financial Services Underwriting certificate and completed the Mortgage Broker’s program at Seneca College. Having worked in the financial industry for several years, Payam has gained valuable knowledge and insight that have made him an asset in the field. Payam has experience at the level of management by organizing and coaching several teams during the summer seasons while working with a reputable construction company. Additionally, Payam has proved to be an asset to his community by volunteering his time at The Iranian Youth Association Group, an organization dedicated to mentoring new immigrant and at-risks youth.

Snow Zhao

Snow Zhao is an intern at Mr. Franchise. She is responsible for the summer franchising and real estate projects. Snow is currently a 2015 IBBA candidate of Schulich Business School, York University. She highly involves in numerous volunteer events as a Schulich student Ambassador and a ResCouncil member. Snow also works as a Research Assistant of a faculty member and Marketing Director of Insider Media Group at Schulich. Snow has an international background and perspective, especially she has great knowledge and experience of business in China. She has exceptional interpersonal, leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

Jessalyn Teoh

Jessalyn Teoh is an intern at Mr. Franchise. She is currently working on her international business degree at Schulich School of Business, York University. She is highly active in both her school and church community. Being a Schulich student ambassador, she has demonstrated her outstanding interpersonal skills through communicating and connecting with different external parties. As one of the top 5 finalist teams at the KPMG Case Competition and the administration department head at Nexis Community (Youth Fellowship at Richmond Hill Christian Community Church), she has also shown her exceptional organizational skills and analytical ability through examining and evaluating figures, as well as updating weekly schedules and financial records.

Billy Lai

Billy Lai is a business analyst intern at Mr. Franchise. He is responsible for implementation of Salesforce.com, customer relationship management tool, and is also overseeing the installation of WiFi at Shoeless Joes. Billy is a 2015 BBA candidate at the Schulich School of Business. He is a member of York DECA and Schulich Ambassadors. Unsure of his true calling, Billy is interested in exploring the various fields of business. His open-minded approach is supplemented with strong analytical skills and a robust work ethic.

David Ha

David Ha is currently a business analyst for Shoeless Joe’s. He is currently a second year student that is enrolled in the Schulich School of Business and is an active member of the Schulich community. David is a member of the Schulich Ambassador Program and is also currently an executive member for the biggest club in York University – the York Finance Club. David currently plans to specialize in the financial field and continuously finds ways to improve on his both his technical knowledge of the field and expanding his network.

Kelvin Ng

Kelvin Ng is a business analyst intern at Mr. Franchise. He is currently working on his bachelor of business administration degree at Schulich School of Business, York University. He is involved in the York Finance Club as well as the Schulich Ambassadors. He has demonstrated his critical thinking and communication skills through various case competitions he participated in, including the Edward Jones Case Competition, as well as the Ernest&Young Case Competition. He is pursuing an accounting specialization and working towards a CA designation.

Helen Hoang

Helen Hoang is a Real Estate and Franchise Development intern for Mr. Franchise. She is responsible for researching new markets to promote growth and investment opportunities for Shoeless Joe’s restaurants to the community. She is presently completing her BComm degree at Ryerson University specializing in Retail Management with a minor in Human Resource Management.

Success Stories

Does money make the world go round?

We begin this New Year with renewed enthusiasm and heightened optimism.  While the economic illness of past years have diluted the happiness and threatened the peace of many Canadian businesses, 2011 is proving to be the year of new beginnings.  Every new year I personally adopt a few old maxims as my beacons to guide my future, and the future of my teams.  This self prescribed therapy has ensured that with each passing year we grow wiser, not older.  I invite you to join me in tapping into the financial wisdom of our elders and become financially wiser. Hard Work: All hard work will bring profit; however mere talk and poor execution only leads to poverty;
Complacency: A sleeping lobster is always carried away by the current;
Earnings: Never rely on single sources of income.  While it’s always important to do what you do “best”, one must always be diversified;
Spending: Buying things you don’t need will inevitably lead to you selling things you do need;
Savings: While any amount of money you have to save is worth saving, don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving, and invest in the future;
Accounting: It’s no use carrying an umbrella if your boots are leaking;
Auditing: Beware of little expenses; the smallest leaks can sink the largest ships;
Risk-taking: Never test the depth of a river with both feet; venture one step at a time;
Investment: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

I’m certain that those who have already been practicing these principles continue to enjoy financial health.  And I’m equally confident that those who resolve to practice these principles going forward will quickly regain their financial health. 

At Shoeless Joe’s we have already begun our journey.  The opportunity clearly now exists for the finance team to position ourselves at the heart of the organization.  With the closing of fiscal year 2010 (and the many challenges that brings) to the development and implementation of our refined 2011 budget plans, quarterly business reviews, IT systems implementation, staff development, and many cost savings initiatives, we are well on our way to acting as a key change agent.  We are empowered to execute and monitor the necessary changes to achieve the overall strategic objectives of the organization by means of aligning the roles of steward, operator, and strategist in tandem; all the while ensuring accountability prevails.  Financial freedom is our goal; transparency and tenacity are our tools.

Malcolm Webb

Director of Finance

Shoeless Joe’s Ltd.