“Making profitable growth working with people on the right path at the right time.”
With over 40 years of leadership experience across some of the most recognizable names in fast food and franchising, Jim Kerr is a proven authority in restaurant development, franchising strategy, and multi-unit growth. Having held senior executive roles at iconic brands such as Dairy Queen, Domino’s, and Burger King, Jim has led transformative initiatives that have driven measurable growth and positioned franchise systems for long-term success.
Jim’s most recent tenure at International Dairy Queen spanned nearly 15 years, where he served as Executive Vice President of Franchise Development. During this time, he helped steer the brand through strategic expansion initiatives, new market entry, franchisee recruitment, and site development strategy. He played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s go-to-market planning and aligning real estate strategies with growth opportunities.
Previously, Jim served in leadership roles at Domino’s and Burger King, bringing an innovative, analytical approach to development. At each organization, he consistently emphasized data-driven planning, market optimization, and franchisee engagement. His work helped elevate brand performance by focusing on aligning operator capabilities with the brand’s strategic goals in priority geographies.
Jim is particularly skilled at guiding companies through the critical processes of franchise development, income statement analysis, unit economics, and market planning. He believes that sustainable franchise growth stems from deep understanding—of the customer, of the geography, and of the business’s performance drivers. His strategic planning framework integrates both top-down and bottom-up market analysis to ensure optimized outcomes.
A firm believer in using data to unlock brand potential, Jim has developed and refined proprietary market planning models, site models, and franchisee profiling tools that allow companies to execute growth with precision. He also brings a pragmatic understanding of the limitations of overreliance on technology, instead favoring a balanced approach that combines data with operational and competitive intelligence.
Jim’s work has had a lasting impact on franchisees and brand stakeholders alike. He has helped franchisees not only grow their portfolios but also improve operational efficiency, increase AUVs (average unit volumes), and improve profitability through site selection, remodel strategies, and market repositioning. He sees franchising as a partnership and takes pride in mentoring emerging operators and guiding them toward sustainable, scalable success.
Jim’s academic background includes a Master of Business Administration from Amberton University and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Baldwin Wallace University. His financial acumen has allowed him to effectively assess income statements, determine ROI for development opportunities, and build strategic models that serve both corporate and franchisee interests.
Throughout his career, Jim has been known for his collaborative leadership style, team-building strengths, and ability to inspire cross-functional departments to align behind growth initiatives. His communication style is clear, consistent, and geared toward fostering accountability and momentum.
Although not seeking international placements or multilingual roles, Jim is flexible with travel and always eager to roll up his sleeves and support companies with the right mission and growth mindset. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys woodworking, volunteering, and studying data analytics for continuous learning.
Jim is now exploring board service opportunities where he can bring his extensive franchise and development expertise to help organizations scale profitably and sustainably. With a track record of success, a passion for smart growth, and an eye for operational detail, he is poised to make a significant impact on the right board.
Character:
Jim is a principled, team-oriented leader committed to mentoring others and building lasting, trust-based relationships. He is passionate about helping people and businesses succeed with integrity and shared purpose.
Knowledge:
Jim brings four decades of knowledge in restaurant and franchise development, market analytics, and growth strategy. His expertise spans operations, site selection, franchisee recruitment, and real estate planning.
Strategic:
Jim is a master of strategic growth planning, aligning data-driven insights with actionable market strategies. His holistic approach connects the dots between brand goals, market potential, and franchisee capability.
Communication:
Jim’s communication style fosters clarity, collaboration, and alignment across all stakeholders. He is skilled at presenting complex growth plans in ways that engage teams, franchisees, and executives alike.
