Taziki’s Future Innovations Franchise Advisory Council Meets in Nashville
Turning Franchisee Feedback Into Action: Our FA-FAC in Nashville
When you’re building a great restaurant franchise, progress doesn’t come from big presentations, it comes from real operators and brand leadership sitting down together, naming what matters, and leaving with clear next steps.
That’s what happened in Nashville during a two-day meeting of the Future Innovations Franchise Advisory Council (FA-FAC). This was the first gathering of our newly re-established council, focused on what’s next for the Taziki’s franchise system.
What is the Future Innovations Franchise Advisory Council?
The FAC is a quarterly forum designed to keep franchise partner feedback close to the work. It brings together franchisees and leadership to surface what’s working, what needs improving, and what innovations will help operators win whether they’re running a single restaurant or building a multi-unit market.
It’s intentionally practical. The goal is always the same: be positive, be productive, and move from discussion to action.
Eight franchise partners. Many market perspectives. One shared focus.
This FAC meeting included eight franchise partners from across the country, representing a healthy mix of experience levels and market sizes:
Large, established multi-unit operators
Newer franchise partners growing their footprint
A couple of owners operating one location
That blend matters. Some operators see things through the lens of scale and systems. Others bring a fresh point of view from earlier-stage growth. When you put both in the room, you get better decisions and fewer blind spots.
Leadership at the table
The FAC also included key members of the Taziki’s leadership team:
Dan Simpson, CEO
Billy Magruder, CFO
Patty Travinio, CMO
Jesse Deshield, Senior Director of Franchise Operations
A strong franchise opportunity isn’t only defined by great food or a strong category. It’s defined by alignment, how quickly a system can listen, decide, and improve. That’s what this council is built to support.
Built for execution: 7 days, 30 days, 90 days
One of the most important parts of the Nashville meeting was the format: every meaningful topic turned into a time-bound next step.
Action items were assigned into clear windows:
7 days — immediate follow-ups, quick fixes, clarifications, and next-step decisions
30 days — items that need collaboration, review, documentation, or testing
90 days — larger initiatives requiring deeper work, resourcing, or phased rollout
This structure keeps momentum strong after everyone returns to their markets—and it creates accountability that doesn’t fade once the meeting ends.
“The best FA-FAC meeting” and excitement for the future
At the close of the meeting, CEO Dan Simpson shared this reflection:
“This was the first meeting of our newly re-established FAC, with a focus on the future. All of the feedback I received after the meeting was that it was the best FAC meeting and the partners are excited for the future of Taziki’s.”
That’s the outcome we want: franchise partners leaving energized and aligned,not because everything is perfect, but because the system is committed to improving together.
Why this matters to franchise candidates evaluating the best opportunities
If you’re researching the best restaurant franchise to invest in, especially if you’re evaluating a fast casual franchise or Mediterranean franchise, this is one of those behind-the-scenes signals that tells you a lot about a brand.
A high-functioning Franchise Advisory Council can indicate:
The franchisor values franchisee input and real-world operations
Decisions are shaped with operators, not just for them
Innovation is organized, measured, and executed
The system is built for long-term growth especially for multi-unit partners
In today’s market, many investors are looking for a healthy franchise concept that fits how consumers want to eat now, while also offering strong operations and a culture people are proud to be part of. Councils like the FA-FAC help keep those two goals, brand soul and operational discipline moving forward together.
What’s next
Because the FA-FAC will meet quarterly, this isn’t a one-time conversation. It’s a cadence:
Listen → prioritize → act → review → improve.
Over the coming weeks, the commitments from Nashville will move through the 7-, 30-, and 90-day follow-up windows, with progress carried into the next quarterly FA-FAC meeting.
Interested in the Taziki’s franchise opportunity?
If you’re exploring restaurant franchise opportunities, especially a Mediterranean fast casual franchise with strong operational support and a brand built on hospitality, we’d love to share more about what it takes to become a franchise partner.
FAQ: Franchise Advisory Councils (FAC)
What is a Franchise Advisory Council in franchising?
A Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) is a group of franchise partners who meet with brand leadership to provide feedback, help prioritize initiatives, and strengthen the franchise system through ongoing collaboration.
How often will the Taziki’s FA-FAC meet?
The Future Innovations FAC will meet quarterly, creating a consistent loop of feedback and follow-through.
Why do Franchise Advisory Councils matter for multi-unit operators?
For multi-unit franchisees, an effective FAC helps ensure system decisions are practical, scalable, and driven by operator realities—often improving execution, communication, and speed of improvement across markets.