We're here to help you succeed!
We will provide professional assistance in site selection, lease negotiations and construction coordination to set your restaurant up for success. We have a network of preferred real estate brokers, architects and contractors to help you through the process.
We are searching for a 2nd generation restaurant location between 3,500 square feet and 6,000 square feet with patio seating, adequate parking and the ability to serve alcohol in a separate space than the main dining room. An area for kids is preferred.
An ideal location would be a 4,000 square foot standalone building or an endcap with dedicated parking, a game room, a 20-foot bar, separate dining area, space for 30 TV’s and a patio with enough seating for 30 guests.
All new franchisees will gain hands-on experience in our existing corporate-owned restaurants from running a successful business all the way down. Our corporate team will each train you and your general manager, if applicable, through their expertise in front of house operations, back of house operations, facilities, POS support and digital ordering. Once your opening date approaches, our training team will provide training support for your new hires through our ExpandShare program and stay on board during your first full week of opening, at minimum.
We have leveraged our buying power to allow us to maintain virtually the same exact products through broadline distribution across 6 states that we operate in. We have every facet of your new business covered with industry pricing, availability and ease of access.
From your opening date announcement to your 10 year anniversary and every Wing Wednesday in between, we will be there to help advertise and build brand recognition within your community. We assist you with advertisements, SEO, social media, special offers, merchandise, LTO’s and more.
After training, we are there for you. Just opening your new restaurant is not the finish line, it is the starting block. Jefferson’s loves getting out of the blocks fast, so we are there for your opening to make sure you start off on the right foot. After opening, we maintain franchise visits to assist in holding your teams accountable to support you in continuing to grow!
President
Brandon Graham graduated from the University of Kansas, where his love for Jefferson’s first started in 2000 when they opened their second location ever in his hometown. He’s been a franchisee for over 12 years now and worked for the brand for 6 years before acquiring Jefferson’s Franchise Systems in April 2018.
Additionally, he has owned and operated four other concepts before and during his time with Jefferson’s. Brandon understands franchising, and the impact that leadership and partnership from the franchisor makes to the operators that work hard to build the brand every day.
He’s married and has triplet boys who enjoy being in their two family owned Jefferson’s restaurants in Lawrence. They’re the biggest double dipped wing fans you can find and really enjoy “helping” the servers in the restaurants!
Vice President
As a 30 plus year veteran of restaurants, Ned has done it all in the business. Still not afraid of busing a table or making a drink at the bar, he loves all aspects of this business. His strength has become the business side of restaurants. The last 15 years have been focused on real estate, franchising, and helping people bring their dreams of owning their own business come to life. His daily focus is to negotiate the best possible products at the best possible price coming into the back doors of our restaurants.
Ned said he joined Jefferson’s because of the unbelievable passion displayed by the support center team, franchisees, and direction of the company. This brand is going places, and he is excited to be a big part of its success. His free time is spent watching his 15-year-old son play golf and anything to do with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Director of Operations
Andrew spent the first two decades of his career working professionally in the beer business and came to know Jefferson’s in 2014 when moving to Lawrence, KS. Andrew’s been hooked on the double dipped wings ever since. He worked alongside the Lawrence franchises of Jefferson’s as their beer distributor building a bigger and better beer portfolio for the restaurants.
In his 21 years in the corporate beer world, he spent 15 years of those in upper management including as a District Manager. Andrew prides himself on his ability to effectively communicate with anybody and everybody he meets.
Andrew and his wife, Mindy, have two kids, Max (17) and Chloe (12), as well as a golden retriever named Hank. Andrew is at his best grilling out for his family & friends with the tunes rocking and an ice cold beer in hand!
Director of Marketing
Arielle is an accomplished marketing leader having worked in the restaurant industry for over a decade. Her career started in 2013 when she joined Applebee’s International, igniting her passion for restaurant marketing. Since then, she has traversed various roles, from the the largest grill and bar brand to the dynamic environment of Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, guiding brand leadership for the Dairy Queen account at Barkley, and now, of course, with Jefferson’s – excited to share the good news of Doule Dipped wings.
She has a passion for crafting strategic restaurant marketing plans excels in forging strategic partnerships, evident from her successful collaborations with sports icons like Patrick Mahomes and Sporting Kansas City, effectively highlighting key brand messages for previous Brands. She’s also a native to the digital domain on social media. She has adeptly overseen brand-wide location-specific advertising, orchestrated hands-on community management programs for franchisees, and produced engaging social-first content that promotes the brand identity.
If you need her outside of work – you can find her enjoying an audiobook, a trip, or a full order of SAUCED Chicken Nachos.
Franchise Field Operations Consultant
Tim is a former General Manager for the Jefferson’s Downtown Lawrence location. In his 6 years in this location, he worked in every facet of the restaurant in his tenure from back-of-house to front-of-house to management. He has almost two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, including his most recent position with Granite City Food & Brewery in Naperville, IL.
Tim couldn’t stay away from Jefferson’s for long and joined the team in 2021 to lead back of house operations. He is excited to be back with Jefferson’s and to be a part of the growth of the system.
Franchise Field Operations Consultant
Z started his career with Jefferson’s as a Manager for the Oxford, AL location back in 2010. Two short years later, he worked his way up to General Manager and never looked back. In the years to follow, Z earned further promotions, serving as the Director of Operations for several Jefferson’s restaurant markets in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
When the Jefferson’s Franchise Systems’ Field Operations position was announced in 2021, Z was excited for the opportunity to join the JFS team and take the next steps in his career. He is well versed in both Front and Back of House Operations, jumping in to help the team win by playing any role necessary. His natural leadership through coaching and remaining levelheaded in high energy environments makes him a perfect fit.
Legend has it that Z skipped a recruiting visit to hang with some buddies at Jefferson’s in Jacksonville, AL in 2001. Funny how the campus hangout spot ultimately turned into his career path (isn’t that the dream?!) In his personal time, Z can be found at the gym living out his hoop dreams, playing the stock market or shopping at Foot Locker.
Operations Support Assistant
Chelsea began her career at Jefferson’s in July 2010 at the Downtown Lawrence, KS location. Starting as a part-time server while in college, she worked her way up through multiple promotions, eventually becoming the Assistant General Manager and Manager of Front of House.
She first moved to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas for a Child Psychology degree but found her passion in the restaurant business. Chelsea has been Jefferson’s Franchise Systems’ Operations Support Assistant for two years now, filling numerous support roles and managing the office.
Chelsea is, and always has been, outstanding with our guests and has made regulars out of first time customers her whole career. She is an excellent trainer and teacher in all aspects of the front of house operations, especially the instinctive nuances that make her an elite server, teacher and trainer.
In her personal time, Chelsea has a 5 year old daughter who keeps her on her toes. The two of them have lunch at the Downtown Lawrence location every Saturday. Her daughter loves to welcome each customer that walks in with our famous Jefferson’s greeting, “Welcome to Jefferson’s, you can take a seat wherever you’d like!”
Franchise Field Operations Consultant
With nearly a decade of experience in the restaurant industry in Lawrence, KS, James has cultivated a deep understanding of the dynamics that drive success in this business. As an ardent football enthusiast, he loved watching games over a basket of wings at Jefferson’s, sparking his passion for the brand. In 2019, James took the leap and embarked on a journey with Jefferson’s, starting as the Assistant Area Manager and diligently climbing the ranks to eventually become the Area Manager in Kansas.
James became the driving force behind the successful launch of the Topeka location in 2022, serving as the General Manager. Working hand in hand with Andrew, he expertly oversaw the grand opening and skillfully managed the store’s day-to-day operations. Now, James is gearing up to share his wealth of expertise as a Franchise Field Consultant, moved him to the Chattanooga area to better cater to our Southern locations. With his unwavering commitment and boundless enthusiasm, James is set to make a significant impact on Jefferson’s growth and success.
Procurement Manager
After graduating from Emporia State in 1988, Kelly began his 30+ year career in the restaurant industry. Starting as a franchisee owner of two Mr Goodcents Subs and Pastas locations in the ’90s, he eventually found his way to procurement as a sales consultant for Sysco KC for 22 years.
Kelly’s Jefferson’s story began in 2000, when the 2nd Jefferson’s location opened up in Downtown Lawrence, KS. He was the initial Sysco representative for the Lawrence location when it opened, and continued in this role for Jefferson’s KC market for two decades. He couldn’t get enough of the Double Dipped wings, and finally joined the JFS team in 2022!
Kelly is married with one daughter who is a nurse. Him and his family love to spend time at the beach any chance they can get and cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks!
Content Marketing Manager
You can find Hadley at her local coffee shop, at the dog park with her pit-bull, reading a book, or trying new restaurants.
Field Marketing Manager
Ryann started her college experience at Johnson County Community College where she played soccer for two years before transferring to The University of Kansas. While attending KU she started her Jefferson’s career as a server, bartender and manager. It was during this time she fell in love with the brand (and the Double Dipped wings). After graduation she joined the Jefferson’s Franchise Systems with an interest in local store marketing and building positive connections within the community.
Ryann has a passion for creativity and in her personal time you can find her crafting, reading or most likely gaming.
Controller
In 2018, Alexandra joined Jefferson’s as its Controller. She previously worked with Profit Plus Business Solutions, LLC located in De Soto, KS in accounting and payroll services focusing on the restaurant industry. Prior to working for Profit Plus Business Solutions, LLC, she was an outside controller engaged by Prosody Consulting, LLC located in Kansas City, MO. From 2006 to 2012, Alexandra worked as a controller for IRR-Residential, LLC in Westwood, KS.
New Restaurant Operations Consultant
Starting his restaurant journey on store opening teams for brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, Chuy’s, and our very own Jefferson’s, Nick has become an expert in training, p and l’s, and sales growth.
In January of 2013, the founder of Jefferson’s reached out to Nick about purchasing the Murfreesboro, TN location. Nick came on board as the Director of Operations for the brand and owner of the Murfreesboro location. Since then Nick has continued that role for Jefferson’s Franchise Systems, and in partnership with his brother, they now own six additional Jefferson’s and a branded food truck. The restaurants are located in Gadsden, AL; Hiram, GA; Rockmart, GA; Villa Rica, GA; Brentwood, TN; Murfreesboro, TN and Manchester, TN while the food truck operates in the Middle Tennessee area.
Nick considers himself a Jefferson’s maniac. It’s his favorite thing to talk about, and reflecting on the opportunities that Jefferson’s has created for him is what fuels his passion to want to continue to grow and succeed. He’s in the unique position of being a franchisee and working on the “corporate” team which allows him to see things from multiple perspectives. His motto is do everything with the guest in mind first. He’s probably most proud of the relationships he’s built with franchisees, team members, vendors, and guests. Nick would be the first to tell you that he’s available 24/7 whether it’s for urgent help or just a listening ear.
The Jefferson’s Foundation Executive Director
Pam received her MPA with an emphasis in nonprofit, from Park University in 2016. She joined the Jefferson’s Foundation as Executive Director in 2018. Prior to joining the foundation, she worked for Graham Restaurant Group as the Director of Marketing and Community Outreach.
She also sat on the board for Gold Glove Charities and worked for 11 years as the Director of a local nonprofit that offered recreation programs for children. She is excited every day about working with the Jefferson’s organization and is inspired by their commitment and vision to assist all children, who are less fortunate, by offering them support when needed and to ensure these children receive the physical and financial needs to encourage a stable and healthy environment to grow and develop.
Pam is married, has four children and nine grandchildren. Her spare time consists of attending her grandchildren’s ballgames, wrestling matches, dance recitals and other activities. She and her husband are diehard KC Royal and KC Chief fans and of course, they love their Jayhawks!
