Rick Schanz,
Senior Director Franchise Development, CFE

Rick knows that the best work happens when you’re following your passions. In fact, he ended up in marketing by way of one of his many passions – racing and motorsports – following the racetrack to the premier sports marketing agency, IMG, where he managed sponsorship sales, talent management and special projects.

Once he discovered his love of marketing and business development, Rick widened his scope, managing events and projects, consulting sponsors and developing business-to-business and consumer-facing promotions for brands like Mars Wrigley Confectionery, General Mills, Big Boy and YUM! Brands, helping each client achieve their distinct goals.

The opportunity to work with Pivotal Growth Partners’ incredibly experienced team of franchise industry experts is what sold Rick on the PGP opportunity. As a member of our team, Rick brings an extensive background in client relations to both the franchise recruitment and business development lanes of brands such as Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Rick recently received his CFE destination, giving him even more expertise in the franchise space. As a foodie, Rick takes every opportunity he can to visit our client partners’ kitchens and taste the new products our innovative brands create.

When he isn’t driving growth for our partners, Rick feels at home in the kitchen and in nature. He merges his love of both cooking and hunting by preparing extravagant, wild game dinners for his friends and family. Rick is based out of Detroit and is a big fan of Motown’s car culture. In fact, he still drives the classic car that got him to and from high school – a 1960 Ford Falcon that he restored as a teenager.