July Luncheon (7/9) – Access to Capital

Five years since the recession and access to capital is still a significant issue for many prospective franchisees as well as existing franchisees looking to expand their businesses.

Aziz Hashim, SEFF member, Atlanta-based franchisee and future chairman of the IFA and Judith Thorman, IFA Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy, will join leadership and development franchise professionals from across the Southeast, as they tackle this compelling issue head-on, during our July luncheon meeting. Leading our discussion will be Richard Hunt, President & CEO at the Consumer Bankers Association, and Richard Bradshaw, Head of Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs at TD Bank.

Register today for this compelling and important look at how access to capital is affecting the franchise community.

Richard Hunt
President & CEO, Consumer Bankers Association
Richard Hunt is President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), the national trade association for retail banking. Since his appointment in 2009, Hunt has led the association in increasing advocacy and educational efforts pertaining to retail banking issues.
Hunt has been recognized as the recipient of several industry accolades, including being named among the top association executives by CEO Update, and recognition as one of the Top Lobbyists by The Hill newspaper. He was most recently awarded the “Spirit of Franchising Award” by the International Franchise Association (IFA) for his efforts to reduce obstacles franchises face in securing loans. Hunt is also a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Association Committee of 100. His extensive experience and keen knowledge of financial services issues allow him to provide both political insight and strategic advice to senior financial executives.


Richard Bradshaw
Head of Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs, TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank
Bradshaw manages TD Bank’s expanding SBA team in delivering competitively-priced, government-backed financing programs that help small businesses grow and succeed. He steers the bank’s efforts to achieve SBA portfolio growth and become a top SBA lender throughout the Maine to Florida footprint. TD Bank is currently the 7th largest SBA lender in the U.S. (as of September 30, 2012).
Bradshaw brings more than 20 years of experience in the lending field to TD Bank. Bradshaw came to the bank following his outstanding leadership at Carolina First, where he was instrumental in developing Carolina First’s successful SBA lending unit. Prior to his work at Carolina First, Bradshaw served as President at UPS Capital Business Credit in Atlanta, Ga. Bradshaw is a retired, highly decorated Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence Program, and served five years of active duty as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He is currently on the Board of Directors for Greenville Literacy Association and NAGGL (National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders).


Aziz Hashim
President and Chief Executive Officer of NRD Holdings, LLC and Dandle, Inc.
Aziz Hashim is a highly regarded franchisee and executive in the U.S. restaurant and international retail space. Hashim founded NRD in 1996 with one Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) location and has grown the company to over 60 restaurants, including several high-profile brands: Popeyes®, Subway, and Checkers/Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc®. Mr. Hashim expanded his portfolio with his international retail company, Dandle, Inc., in 2010 as a franchisee of PetValu, a major pet-supply franchisor in Canada.
Hashim serves on several boards including the International Franchise Association, where he will become the chair in 2016 as only the 4th franchisee in the 50 year history of the organization. He also serves on the Popeye’s Foundation and the Multi-Unit Franchise Conference advisory board. He is deeply involved in community service and frequently contributes to the industry at large, sharing his knowledge and experience at major restaurant and franchise conferences. His dynamic leadership and strategy for success is reflected both in his compelling message to the industry and in NRD’s significant and consistent growth.


Judith Thorman
IFA Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy
Judith Thorman is Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, spearheading the association’s federal and state lobbying efforts on issues such as credit access, healthcare reform, job creation, and creating employment and ownership opportunities for returning U.S. military service members and minorities.
Thorman was recognized as one of the nation’s “top lobbyists” by CEO Update in 2010 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Beverage Association, where she also ran state programs. She held senior leadership positions with the Washington offices of New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean (R) and Illinois Governor James R. Thompson (R), as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service during the Reagan Administration. Thorman began her career on the staff of Sen. Charles Percy (R-IL).