FOUNDER, CEO, WKS RESTAURANT GROUP
WHY: Restaurant heavyweight. WKS has more than 5,500 employees and close to 200 restaurants in the western U.S. The largest franchisee in the El Pollo Loco and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts systems, as well as the largest Wendy’s franchisee in California.
RECENT: Business Journal Family-Owned Business Award winner in October.
NOTABLE: Got start in business via real estate company, Spongberg, Kirkland & Associates. Switched to restaurants after recession in 1980s. Other holdings include Denny’s, Blaze Pizza and Corner Bakery franchises.
