Marketing

Wolfnights snags marketing guru to help fuel nationwide expansion

Wolfnights has hired restaurant marketing veteran Stacey Kane to help hone its story and develop compelling branding to prepare for rapid growth

July 8, 2020

Wolfnights, a gourmet wrap concept founded in 2011 in New York City, has hired restaurant marketing veteran Stacey Kane to help hone its story and develop compelling branding to prepare for rapid growth. Founder and CEO Itai Afek hopes to open more than 1,000 locations within the next 10 years but plans to focus on New York, New Jersey and along the east coast over the next two years.

"Wolfnights locations have a smooth and efficient financial and operational system, making them ideal for aggressive franchise expansion," Afek said in a company press release. "However, we felt that we needed to sharpen the brand message, especially with our response to COVID-19. Stacey Kane and the King Street Consultants can give us that extra marketing edge."

Kane works for King Street Consultants, a company founded last year by former 5 Guys veterans Scott Goodrich and Maurico Romero along with Dan Rowe of Fransmart. IT provides comprehensive c-level support for emerging restaurant and franchise brands. The point is to give brands of all sizes, which may not normally afford it, access to veterans who can provide insight on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

"They offer affordable, customized support to achieve maximum productivity for start-up franchise budgets when expert knowledge is needed most," according to the release.

Dan Rowe, franchise industry veteran and CEO of Fransmart, Wolfnights' franchising partner, said bringing on Kane was a smart move.

"The pandemic has changed the way we do business," he said. "Now, he's not only planning an expansion, but also a COVID-19 response. The fluid landscape of the restaurant industry over the last few months has shown a spotlight on the brands that can alter their business model and keep up with the fast-paced changes. The brands that thrived through this are the brands that will meet their expansion goals."