Ascent Hospitality Management, franchisor of Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co., has promoted Natalie Hansen to Vice President of Franchise Sales following her successful tenure as Senior Director of Development. Hansen joined the company in April 2021 with 25 years of franchising experience and has been instrumental in driving significant franchise growth across both brands.
Hansen has closed over 125 signed deals, substantially strengthening Perkins and Huddle House's presence throughout the United States and Canada. Her most notable achievements include securing the largest deal in Huddle House history—a 20-unit franchise agreement in Texas—and introducing Perkins Griddle and Go to Alberta, marking the brand's strategic expansion into this new Canadian province and demonstrating the company's international growth ambitions.
Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer for Ascent Hospitality Management, emphasized Hansen's critical role in leading both traditional and non-traditional franchise development initiatives. This advancement spotlights her contributions toward our growth and her dedication to developing exceptional brands that attract consumers and franchise partners, Ortiz stated. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and are eager for her to explore new opportunities to expand our franchise network and strengthen our brand presence in the Family, Fast Casual, and Non-traditional dining sectors.
Prior to joining Ascent, Hansen spent two decades at REGO Restaurants, parent company of Quiznos and Taco Del Mar, where she served as Senior Director of Development and held various franchise leadership roles. Her extensive background also includes owning and operating a Quiznos franchise in Greenwood Village, Colorado, providing her with invaluable firsthand insight into the franchisee perspective that informs her current strategic approach.
Hansen highlighted the importance of her dual experience as both a franchisor and franchisee in shaping her leadership philosophy. My personal experience as a franchisee gave me a deep understanding from that perspective that I have been able to leverage for supporting entrepreneurs looking to build their legacies and be part of successful brands, she explained. Since I have joined Ascent, we have revitalized our franchising program through innovative marketing strategies, lead generation campaigns, and advanced technology systems designed to support our franchise partners in building successful and lasting businesses. For more information about franchising opportunities, visit https://www.ascenthm.com.
