Meet Sean Bell, CFE!
An accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in the packaged goods and restaurant sectors. Sean has led the finance, operations, development, procurement, human resources, legal, IT, risk management and menu development functions for a variety of brands within the Canadian market. In 2022, Sean managed the acquisition and integration of Fat Bastard Burrito into MB International Brands (the parent company of Mary Brown’s Chicken), and assumed the President’s role post acquisition.
Preceding the move to Fat Bastard Burrito, Sean was the CFO for Mary Brown’s for over 5 years where he helped scale the organization to over 250 locations nationally. Prior to Mary Brown’s, Sean was the CFO and part owner of The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro. During his tenure he managed the acquisition, growth from 5 to 30 units and eventual sale to MTY.
His experience has spanned many iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Coors, Maple Leaf Foods, Mars and Recipe Unlimited. Sean holds an Honours Degree in Economics, as well as the CPA, CFA, and CFE designations.
What inspired you to join the CFE program?
I strongly believe in life long learning, regardless of your experience and stage of career. I have actively participated in CFA sponsored events and learning opportunities for many years and the CFE program is a great way to formalize your learning path in Franchising. The CFE designation has been the gold standard for Franchise professionals in the US for many years, and when it became available to Canadian members, it was a logical next step in my development journey.
What does having your CFE Designation mean to you?
As the designation gains traction in Canada, it will become a mark of credibility and professionalism within the Canadian Franchise community. This will be especially relevant for individuals within the development and franchise sales functions. Given the risks around the franchise sales process, it would be prudent for any franchisor to seek out CFE designates to lead their development efforts.
What has been the most challenging part of obtaining your designation?
If you are an active member of the CFA community, the CFE designation should not be difficult to obtain. As with any learning path, the most challenging part is prioritizing and working learning opportunities into your schedule.