Meet the Management Team
Betsy Schmandt
CEO and President
Betsy Schmandt serves as the CEO & President of A&W Restaurants, Inc., America’s first franchised restaurant chain. With a rich background in the franchising industry, she previously held the position of President of Franchising at Famous Brands, overseeing Mrs. Fields and TCBY. Ms. Schmandt’s expertise extends across licensing and marketing, with impactful roles at esteemed companies including Godiva Chocolatier, Sesame Workshop, and Macy’s. Ms. Schmandt holds an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business and a B.A. from Miami University in Ohio.
Meredeth Jones
Vice President of Franchise Development and Design
For over 15 years, Meredeth Jones has been a driving force in the franchise industry, helping brands turn ambitious growth goals into thriving realities. Her journey began in the ever-changing world of quick-service restaurants and has since spanned various sectors, from fast-casual and full-service dining to child enrichment, health and wellness, and retail. Throughout her journey, she’s honed her expertise in franchisor growth, sales strategies, and brand sustainability.
Meredeth’s leadership has been shaped by her work with iconic names like Caribou Coffee, Inspire Brands, and Chick-fil-A, where she played pivotal roles in their growth and success. In 2010, she founded Two Chicks Consulting—a franchise consulting brand dedicated to empowering franchisors and supporting sustainable growth.
Today, as Vice President of Franchise Development and Design for A&W Restaurants, Meredeth channels her passion for excellence into leading the brand’s expansion while fostering strong franchisee relationships. Meredeth’s goal for A&W Restaurants is to drive strategic growth by expanding franchise opportunities across the U.S., enhancing brand awareness, and delivering an exceptional experience that attracts superior franchise candidates to the iconic All-American brand.
Barry Friedman
Director, Franchise Development
bfriedman@awrestaurants.com
734-496-4793
Barry Friedman is an accomplished growth executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in franchise development, real estate strategy, and multi-unit operations across some of the most recognized brands in the restaurant industry.
Barry has held senior leadership roles with global and national brands including Domino’s Pizza, Popeyes, Carl’s Jr., and Hardee’s. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale franchise sales initiatives, market expansion strategies, site selection and real estate development, and cross-functional growth execution at both domestic and international levels.
Earlier in his career, Barry spent 13 years with PepsiCo, working closely with Gatorade and leading commercial and innovation initiatives that strengthened national distribution and brand performance. He also brings firsthand entrepreneurial experience as a former restaurant owner, giving him a practical operator’s perspective on unit economics, profitability, and franchisee success.
Randy Cordray
Vice President of Operations & Training
Randy is a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry with over 25 years of experience including 9 years dedicated to A&W Restaurants. He has served the Brand in several roles including Area Coach, Franchise Growth Leader, & Director of Operations during his tenure. Prior to coming on board with A&W, Randy has worked with other QSR and Fast Casual Brands both in Franchise and Corporate Operations. Randy and his Team have been and continue to be focused on driving profitable sales for the existing Franchise System, as well as opening profitable new restaurants for the Brand. Randy is passionate about helping restaurant operators identify and leverage opportunities, assisting them in maximizing their profits, and empowering their teams. He believes People are the most valuable resource a restaurant has, and the most critical to care for.
Amanda Potts
Vice President of Marketing and Innovation
Amanda Potts is the VP of Marketing and Innovation at A&W Restaurants, with over 20 years of experience working with retail and restaurant brands. Before joining A&W Restaurants, she served as Director of Franchise Marketing at Valvoline Inc., where she partnered with franchisees to implement marketing solutions for over 1,200 locations. Her prior experience includes various roles at Fazoli’s in Brand Management, Digital, and Public Relations. Amanda holds a B.S. in Integrated Strategic Communications from the University of Kentucky and resides in Lexington, KY, with her two daughters, Caroline and Jill.