Laura Darrell

Laura Darrell lives in Mexico City, and as a former leadership executive, she has over 25 years of senior leadership experience at some of the world’s most beloved brands like Starbucks and Apple. Her time working in franchised operations for large multi-unit franchisees at A&W Restaurants Canada complemented her executive leadership skills as vice president of operations and training at Boston Pizza Restaurants, Canada’s largest casual dining chain. She prides herself on building strong, collaborative relationships between franchisees and franchisors. She regularly contributes to Franchise Magazine USA and other publications in the franchise periodical space, where she writes about the leadership skills required to lead in a franchised organization and many other topics relevant to franchisee success and strengthening unit economics. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Royal Roads University in British Columbia, Canada, where she conducted her thesis research on multidisciplinary collaborative leadership practices within franchised organizations that enhance business results for all key stakeholders. She is currently enrolled at the University of Charleston, working on a Doctoral Degree in Leadership. She has written three books: The Principles of Franchisee Success – Apply Them and Take Control of Your Business Results; The Promotability Gap – The Real Reasons You’re Not Advancing in Your Career; and The Great Resignation – How a Culture of Coaching and Appreciation Can Help You Win the War for Talent. She travels frequently to the US, Canada, and Mexico to speak at franchised organizations looking to develop strong and effective leadership talent and to help them enhance their relationships with franchisees. She is also the founder of Laura Darrell Leadership Coaching, and you can connect with her directly.