The driver’s education brand has introduced new tech to roll franchising ahead.
By Andrew Carlo
Jungle Driving School, a driver’s education franchise, is under new leadership and making strides to expand its program.
The Omaha, Nebraska-based company said it is now using a “rebuilt, tech-forward” approach in expanding its brand while providing entrepreneurs with a franchise opportunity.
Founded in 2003 by Fred Westdale, Jungle Driving School said an aspect of its mission is to prepare teens for “wild roads ahead.” Over the years, the brand has introduced enhanced curriculum and family-focused programming, and with its recent acquisition, has added real-time vehicle tracking technology to further elevate the customer experience.
A company relaunched this year and is being led by CEO Zach Beutler, a multi-brand franchise founder, multi-unit franchisee, co-founder of HorsePower Brands, and strategic growth expert who has helped scale multiple national franchise brands.
“Jungle Driving isn’t just another driver’s ed school, it’s a program built to save lives,” said Beutler. “We’ve reengineered the program from top to bottom, built out the right tech and systems, and are now ready to grow with franchisees who care about making a real impact in their communities.”
The relaunch has included bringing on board new leadership and talent. New members of the leadership include:
- Cheryl Price (Onboarding & Training) brings a background in instructional design and employee development, having built comprehensive onboarding programs for franchise owners at HorsePower Brands and supported training initiatives at Right at Home, The Key, and Home Instead. Jungle Driving said that Price excels at translating complex business concepts into accessible, engaging learning experiences for franchisees and their teams.
- Cody Kindschuh (Technology & Operations) is a systems integration specialist who has led digital transformation projects in franchising. With expertise in process automation, technology solutions, and Microsoft Power Platform, the brand said that Kindschuh ensures Jungle Driving’s tech stack is built for scalability and real-time performance monitoring.
- Tavis McVey (Marketing & Creative) is a brand strategist and creative leader with a track record of launching and scaling franchise brands at HorsePower Brands. He specializes in building bold, cohesive brand identities and producing high-impact design and video content. With deep expertise in business development and process improvement, McVey led efforts to streamline creative operations, eliminate backlogs, and ensure consistent, high-quality execution across all marketing initiatives.
- Jen Wherrell (VP of Franchise Development) is a franchise development veteran with a passion for helping others grow, according to Jungle Driving. A former CEO and multi-state franchise co-founder, the company also said that Wherrell brings real-world operational experience and a relationship-first approach to recruiting and supporting new franchise partners. She’s also a published author and community advocate with a heart for mentorship and youth-focused causes.
“I joined Jungle Driving because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with an all-star team of franchise experts, people who have built, developed, and scaled more locations than anyone in the business,” said Wherrell. “This brand is more than a business to me; it’s a mission to save teen lives and help others build something truly meaningful in the process.”
For more information about Jungle Driving and franchise opportunities visit jungledriving.com/franchising.
