Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc.

Recently, I appeared on the John Lofstock podcast where we discussed retail basics. While I like to chase the shiny penny on occasion, there is no substitute for simple blocking and tackling to create success in retail. Here is a short clip: https://lnkd.in/e4KjWbwm John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #interimmanagement #projectmanagement #strategicplanning #raleigh

FRANCHISE ADVISORY COUNCILS A well-managed Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) can yield a tremendous opportunity for the franchisor and franchisees to work as one. This process of two-way communication helps to foster excellent franchise relations and provides the franchisor “with another set of eyes” for new product development, effective marketing and field support. Learn the ins and outs of FAC’s - click here: https://lnkd.in/gGgQws_V John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail

CELEBRATING STORE ANNIVERSARIES It is time to puff up your feathers and stand on the highest mountain and S-C-R-E-A-M “It’s my store anniversary, hear me ROAR!” Whether it’s your first or tenth year anniversary, recapturing the enthusiasm of your customer base with an annual celebration is a must. Think about all of the competitors that opened since you began operations or that you store has blended into the retail landscape. It is time to rejuvenate your base and what better way than to tell the world you “survived” another year! Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eU6Prks2 John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #interimmanagement #projectmanagement #strategicplanning #raleigh #localstoremarketing

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY I met Brad Back when I started my career at Little Caesars and progressed my way from a store manager trainee to National Marketing Director in six years. My role at Little Caesars was to manage and direct all company store and franchise co-op marketing activities in 35 DMA’s for 1,600-stores throughout the entire United States with an advertising budget exceeding $35 million. It was a large role for someone in their early 30’s and I owe a debt of gratitude to Brad for the confidence he had in me and the guidance he provided. "John Matthews is one of smartest, strategic, and instinctive marketers I've known. What makes him one of the best is that he's also enthusiastic and practical, cutting right to the chase to maximize effectiveness, and efficiency. He's a master at organization and detail, as well as networker. He developed tremendously successful marketing plans that impacted national efforts, and drove huge sales gains on a regional and local level. His communication skills are superior in every way possible, and I would love the opportunity to work together again at some point. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with John Matthews on--or leading--your team.”  -  G Bradley Back, APR, VP, Corporate Marketing and Field Marketing. Little Caesars John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #interimmanagement #projectmanagement #strategicplanning #raleigh #restaurants #cstores

Recently, I wrote a blog on how brand pillars serve as a foundation for how the brand behaves, communicates, and connects with its target customers. CStore Decisions magazine just picked it up: https://lnkd.in/eGPWNBkp John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #branding

Whether you are new to LinkedIn or a seasoned vet, this social media platform can provide countless levels of opportunity to network; prospect; and even create sales for you and your company. There are many angles to grow your presence on LinkedIn from a genuine networking approach to a less-than-appealing wam, bam sales approach (“no, I don’t want to open a franchise or look at your AI-driven lead generation tool”). LinkedIn should be viewed as what it was designed to do - create long-lasting, mutually-beneficial networking opportunities that may or may not result in an immediate sale. Treated as such, you will find that you can have your cake and eat it too - creating a wide-ranging network of colleagues where some of these translate into sales. For more insights and tips to better optimize your LinkedIn experience, check out my blog: https://lnkd.in/gxdjq8si John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #networking

I am living proof that by using LinkedIn, you can create a broader network of working professionals to foster relationships with and begin to build up an impenetrable circle of contacts that are exclusively yours. Targeting prospective connections via groups and companies, in addition to your already established network, will begin to develop a referral system that creates both short and long-term bonds. This network can become a very profitable way to grow your business. Recently, I discussed this on a radio interview: https://lnkd.in/eAUzCeg5 John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #networking

GRAY CAT UNLEASHED: STORE OF THE FUTURE Developing a Store-of-the-Future takes a lot of thought to consider all the potential elements that should be included in a go-forward operation. Some may be “need to have” while others may be “nice to have”. A lot will depend on your location, the competition, the consumer and quite candidly, the amount of capital you can afford to spend. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/egjT-HeF John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #Storeofthefuture

My first retail job: I was a cheese mold scraper….. https://lnkd.in/gKRGSAcB John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #professionalgrowth

Want to improve your business-building skills but don’t know where to turn? Introducing the Gray Cat Learning Series. Over my career, I have had some pretty cool roles:  - President of Jimmy John’s  - National Marketing Director at Little Caesars  - VP of five (5) divisions for Clark, a 1,400-store c-store chain Now, combined with my experience at Gray Cat Enterprises for the past 20+ years, I have cobbled all of that experience into fifteen (15) online training courses to help hone business-building skills. Available as individual pre-recorded courses; live, in-person presentations; or company-wide subscriptions. The flexibility with this series is endless. To discuss, please send me a direct message in LinkedIn and I can fill you in on all the options. Take a look at this quick overview. John Matthews #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #raleigh #graycatlearningseries