Our Team
Everyone in Franchise Growth Partners and each of our franchisor clients know FGP views itself as a strategic partner, not a vendor, integral to the development and success of our clients. If a FGP client doesn’t understand this, then we have failed at the onset of our relationship in explaining how FGP works.
Scott J. Simcik
President & CEO
Mr. Simcik serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Mr. Simcik works closely with the leadership teams of our franchisor clients. He represents FGP with clients throughout the U.S. Mr. Simcik is focused on FGP’s skills to deliver excellence, and the highest level of improved performance and profitability for franchisor organizations.
Since 1986, Mr. Simcik was formerly founder and chairman of Inches-A-Weigh North America, Inc., with overall management responsibility for the company’s operating results. He successfully navigated the company through three stages of challenging franchising and economic environments, reporting profitability 23 of his 24 years in tenure. Inches-A-Weigh was acquired in 2010 by a Canadian firm.
Mr. Simcik represents FGP in spearheading new relationships and providing one-on-one consulting in all areas of franchising. In addition, he has a passion for FGP to provide valuable outsourcing services, which strategically align with the greatest needs of franchisors. These management tools include: initial consultation, compliance documents and operations manuals, franchise sales services, and franchisee funding and lease negotiations.
Mr. Simcik has been a guest speaker at franchise events and his company has been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. FGP is a current member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Mr. Simcik is continuing his vocational education and working toward a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) credential.
Mr. Simcik attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) on a basketball scholarship. He served as President of the Student Government Association. Additionally, he was elected as the President of the Graduate School Association. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing. 1n 1983, Mr. Simcik was voted “Businessman of the Year” in Montgomery, AL.
Dave Page
Vice President of Leadership Development
Dave Page serves as our Vice President of Leadership Development. Dave earned a B.A. in Business Economics and holds 2 masters degrees including an Executive MBA in Leadership from the Ken Blanchard School of Business at Grand Canyon University. Dave has started 3 organizations and now devotes the majority of his efforts toward coaching leaders. Dave has trained and coached hundreds of leaders both nationally and internationally on four continents. He is a Certified Life Purpose Coach and was recently selected as "Coach of the Year." Dave is a sought after speaker at leadership conferences and workshops around the country. Dave specializes in helping leaders lead at a higher level. He empowers leaders through training on "Developing a Leadership Point of View," Becoming an Effective Leader Through Situational Leadership," "Launching Large" and "Winning at Work by Partnering for Performance."
Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager, said, "I recommend Dave to you as a leadership coach! He has a lot of experience both educationally and professionally. I'm a big fan!"
Jenna Crain
Executive Assistant
Jenna Crain serves as the Executive Assistant for Franchise Growth Partners. Ms. Crain has held previous administrative positions and works closely with FGP in managing all administrative aspects of the company. Ms. Crain assists FGP Commercial Leasing and FGP Franchisee Funding in all areas of client services and general office activities by coordinating calendars, client meetings and office work flow. She performs general clerical duties and responds to routine inquiries for all divisions of Franchise Growth Partners.
In 2009, Ms. Crain received a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
Robert W. Ball
Senior Compliance Officer
Robert W. Ball serves as our Senior Compliance Officer. Prior to joining FGP, he had a long and distinguished career serving major corporations in manufacturing, distributorships and franchising operations, including terms as: Vice President of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation (NYSE) at their international headquarters in Irvine, California; Corporate Legal and Insurance Manager For Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. at their national offices in Torrance, California; and as the manager of dealer relations and litigation for Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.(NYSE) in Riverside, California. At those times, each of the companies was the largest in the world in their chosen fields.
While his service has largely concentrated on franchising and franchise system development, limited partnerships, public and private offerings, and franchise documentation, registration and compliance matters, he also gained experience by assisting in the development of dealer and distribution agreements and systems, multimillion dollar repurchases of subfranchisor systems and the purchase and sale of corporate assets. Mr. Ball has assisted several companies in raising large amounts of capital for the expansion of their distribution and franchising businesses.
Scott P. Simms
Senior Restaurant Consultant
Founding partner in Mimi’s Café. Sold interest in Mimi’s Cafe to a venture capital firm. Mimi’s Café is now owned by Bob Evans Farms (145 locations in 24 states). Mr. Simms has spent 35 successful years in the food and beverage industry in a variety of management, consulting and ownership roles involving all aspects of operations. Currently, Mr. Simms is a managing partner of a high volume casual dining concept in Manhattan Beach, California. He is involved in a variety of ventures including additional restaurants (partnerships and investments), grape growing and wine making. Mr. Simms received his BA degree from San Diego State University in 1978. Mr. Simms is an active member of the California Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association. Mr. Simms offers full service one-on-one consulting in all areas of: company vision, business systems, strategies, site analysis and selection, store openings, management staffing, budgets and financials, and menu development.
Steven J. Eichberg
Real Estate Attorney
Mr. Eichberg as an Attorney has been practicing law in Los Angeles, California since 1978. He was a senior partner in the Law Firm of Lever, Anker & Israel, Eichberg & Feldman and Goldfarb, Sturman, Averbach & Eichberg. Mr. Eichberg has experience in landlord-tenant disputes, altering county ordinances, obtaining Conditional Use permits and other areas of real estate law. Mr. Eichberg has extensive knowledge of, and has worked on, almost every type of transactional matter, from simple contracts to complex real estate transactions. He has reviewed over one thousand (1000) leases for franchisors and franchisees.
Mr. Eichberg has represented and served on the boards of international corporations, RGB Systems, Inc., d/b/a Extron, Fastframe USA, Inc, d/b/a Fastframe, and California Closet Company. He has represented businesses in the audio-video market, electronics market, computer market and numerous retail and wholesale businesses. Mr. Eichberg received his BA Degree from California State University at Los Angeles in 1971, his Juris Doctorate Degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1974 and his Mediation Certificate from The Strauss Institute of Pepperdine University.
Bob Misko
Vice President of Commercial Leasing
Bob Misko serves as the V.P. of Commercial Leasing. Mr. Misko coordinates FGP's commercial leasing activities for our franchisor clients. He conducts market analysis and demographic services, market visits, franchisee communication and expert lease negotiations. Upon franchisor/franchisee approved locations and final terms of the letter of intent, Mr. Misko works closely with our legal department to review and finalize franchisee leases.
Prior to joining FGP, Mr. Misko (licensed real estate agent/broker) has worked in various real estate capacities including commercial loans, investments and limited partnerships. He has negotiated complex real estate transitions in all areas of retail, office and medical properties. Mr. Misko received his BA degree from Northridge University and his Masters from Azusa Pacific University. He's currently a member of the National Association of Realtors.
License #00780088
Andrea K. Smith
Director of Franchisee Funding and Commercial Leasing
Andrea Smith is director of franchisee funding and commercial leasing for FGP. In this important financial management role, Ms. Smith identifies and secures critical funding information for client business plan development; conducts due diligence and works directly with banks on types and sources of capital, including SBA 7(a) loans, 401(k) rollovers, and secured and unsecured lines of credit; and provides comprehensive support to existing franchisor clients currently seeking well-located, affordable commercial properties for franchisees.
Ms. Smith brings more than 25 years of professional experience in office and financial management to FGP. Previously, she owned and operated a bookkeeping company that specialized in working with small and mid-sized businesses in multiple industries, including the real estate, health and beauty, landscaping, medical, and physical fitness sectors. Prior to that, she spent nearly two decades in the professional services domain managing office operations and support activities for legal and accounting firms. Beyond her core office and financial administration expertise, she also possesses significant experience in drafting and editing articles of incorporation, financial statements, loan and estate planning documents, contractual agreements, and other important business materials. Ms. Smith holds a B.A. degree in psychology from the University of California Los Angeles, with an emphasis in business administration.