Franchise Today

Doug Willmarth shares his career journey from being a navy pilot to finding his passion in marketing and the restaurant business, leading to various roles including chief marketing officer at Wingstop and President at Mooyah Burgers, Fries, and Shakes. With experience in brand management at companies like Kraft Foods and PepsiCo, Willmarth transitioned into franchising, gaining a deeper appreciation for its impact while at Wingstop. He later worked with Rave Cinemas and Pizza Hut before joining Mooyah, where he learned the intricacies of running a smaller company, preparing him for executive leadership. At Mooyah, Willmarth focuses on high-quality food, particularly burgers, fries, and shakes, adopting a specialization strategy akin to successful brands like Chipotle and Chick Fil A. He emphasizes the use of certified Angus beef and the importance of streamlined operations for consistent service across franchises. Despite challenges during the COVID pandemic, Mooyah thrived due to a robust digital and delive