FAC Election Results are in!

Congratulations to our new FAC members for 2023: Omar Athar, Edward Kaplan and Bonnie Wetsel and also to Ben Newell and Keith Kirkland on their re-election for 2023. They will be joining current council members, Brandon Trimyer, Dave Marks and Gary Kopel.

Thank you to all nominees for taking the initiative and stepping up for this opportunity! We truly appreciate your engagement and desire to strengthen the brand!

Get to Know the Council Members

Omar Athar- Garden City Park, New York

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 2 years

How will you add value to the FAC: I want to help support current and future franchisees.

Edward Kaplan- Naples, Fort Myers and Boca Raton, Florida

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 1 year

How will you add value to the FAC: I can bring a new perspective to my peers and the company on our ability to navigate change, bring future thinking to be competitive, innovative and work to bring our franchisees to the table to have more of a voice and offer feedback.

Bonnie Wetsel- Ammon and Twin Falls, Idaho

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 1 1/2 years

How will you add value to the FAC: I think fresh and new ideas can be a great asset to the FAC. We’re all in this together to take Duck Donuts to the next level!

Keith Kirkland- Herndon and Fairfax, Virginia, DMV Food truck

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 3 years

How will you add value to the FAC: Being on the Council for the last year has made me very familiar with the inner workings of both business and operations as well as a sounding board for others joining the Duck Donuts Family.

Ben Newell - Two locations in San Antonio, Texas, and Food Trailer

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 5 years

How will you add value to the FAC: I can share my experience that can help new franchisees traverse the franchise landscape, especially for franchisees that have no prior food retail experience.

Gary Kopel- Huntington Beach, Irvine, Garden Grove and Rancho Cucamonga California opening soon: Las Vegas, NV and Santa Monica, CA

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 4 years

How will you add value to the FAC: I bring a different experience background in retail and industry than the rest of the group. I speak my mind but take into consideration all types of stores when adding value.

Dave Marks- Latham, NY

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 2 years

How will you add value to the FAC: We have a creative and enthusiastic approach to this business and feel many of our ideas would be embraced by all.

Brandon Trimyer- Cary, Raleigh, and Durham, North Carolina 

Years as a Duck Donuts Franchisee: 7 years

How will you add value to the FAC: The value I believe I would add to the FAC is the direct experience with store performance of a wide range of success in team retention and consistent revenue performance