James C. Hartenstein, Managing Director
Jim's entire career has been internationally focused, starting as a territory salesman in Venezuela and most recently as the senior corporate executive responsible for all international franchising in two major multinational restaurant companies. He is now a senior international franchising consultant and Board Director.
As the Senior Vice President-International for both Wendy’s and Little Caesars Pizza with full P&L responsibility, he developed and implemented Strategic Plans and managed their expansion into multiple countries around the world where he has been responsible for opening hundreds of franchised locations.
Prior to entering the restaurant industry, he worked with local licensees in the transportation and financial services fields, adapting and expanding multinational concepts in their countries.
He was Regional Vice President of TNT Express Worldwide's Latin America/Caribbean Region and while there he was elected Chairman of CLADEC (Conferencia Latinoamericana de Compañías Express), a regional transportation industry association involved with the Free Trade Area of the Americas and other trade issues.
He also worked for American Express for 11 years, most recently as Division Vice President of Sales and Marketing for their Latin America and Caribbean Division.
He started his career with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company where he held various international Sales, Marketing and General Management positions.
Jim received his MBA, "With Distinction", from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Denison University, where he was also president of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He has served on a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Wendy’s and is currently on the Board of Directors of a Mexico-based multinational restaurant company as well as the Board of Directors of a Saudi Arabian restaurant company. He has been a member of the International Committee of the International Franchise Association and is on the Advisory Council of the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference. He is also on the Board of Directors of two non-profit organizations, including Executive Board and Committee Chair responsibilities.
As a recognized authority on international franchising, he is a frequent speaker at industry events and author of several published articles on international franchising topics.
Jim has visited over 60 countries. He speaks Spanish, has lived with his family in Venezuela, Panama, Chile, and Mexico, and currently resides in Miami, Florida.
Experience:
