[Hiring] CEO @Hire Ground Talent

Role Description

On behalf of our client, we are searching for a Chief Executive Officer to lead their company through an ambitious, disciplined growth phase. This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of a franchise brand with real momentum: a differentiated product, a passionate community, and a model built to scale. The right leader will protect the brand and culture they've built while pushing them further, driving sustainable growth, stronger unit-level economics across their franchise network, and long-term shareholder value. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role requiring someone who can connect with employees, franchisees, and coaches at every level, building a high-performing organization committed to delivering world-class experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Growth: Set and execute the company’s growth strategy, balancing expansion, profitability, and long-term shareholder value.
• Franchise Performance: Partner with franchisees to improve average unit volume (AUV), unit-level profitability, operating consistency, and new-location development.
• Financial Leadership: Own the P&L, drive financial accountability, and report regularly to the Board on performance, growth, and strategic priorities.
• Operational Excellence: Build scalable systems, processes, and organizational capabilities to support responsible domestic and international expansion.
• Leadership and Culture: Develop a high-performing executive team, foster accountability, and maintain a strong, collaborative culture.
• Brand and Innovation: Protect and evolve the brand, leveraging technology and innovation to enhance the customer experience and business performance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with the founder, Board, franchisee leadership, employees, and strategic advisors.

Leadership Approach

The CEO must balance strategic leadership with a hands-on, relationship-driven approach. They will be expected to advance the existing strategy rather than disrupt it, working constructively with the founder, senior franchisee leadership, and strategic advisors while strengthening accountability and execution across the organization.

Measures of Success

• Revenue, EBITDA, and sustainable business growth.
• Improved AUV, unit-level profitability, and franchisee performance.
• Successful new-location development and domestic and international expansion.
• Strong operating systems, leadership capabilities, and organizational accountability.
• A consistent customer experience, engaged franchise network, and high-performing culture.

The Opportunity Ahead

This is an opportunity to lead a distinctive, growth-oriented franchise brand with the potential to expand its reach and impact. The right CEO will combine strategic vision, financial discipline, and exceptional people leadership to protect what makes the company special, strengthen business performance, and scale the brand with purpose and ambition.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven executive with a track record of scaling multi-unit, franchise-driven businesses and delivering sustainable, profitable growth.
• Significant franchising experience, including improving franchisee performance, AUV, and unit-level profitability.
• Experience scaling businesses through disciplined operations, franchise development, and strong business systems.
• International expansion experience, including master franchise arrangements, preferred.
• Strong financial acumen, P&L ownership, and an understanding of the metrics that drive shareholder value.
• Experience leading boards, shareholders, and senior leadership teams; capital-raising experience is an asset.
• A dynamic, approachable leadership style, high emotional intelligence, and a passion for building strong teams and culture.
• An appreciation for sports, fitness, or other experience-driven consumer brands, strongly preferred.
• An ability to turn technology and innovation into meaningful commercial advantages.
• Genuine alignment with the company’s mission and commitment to its franchisees, customers, and communities.