Corner Bakery Cafe announced today the promotion of John LaBarge from director of franchise business to vice president of franchise business, representing Corner Bakery’s continued commitment to developing strong franchise partnerships. In this role, LaBarge will work in partnership with the vice president of franchise development, Bob Hartmann, serving as a liaison between franchisees and Corner Bakery’s internal team.
“We’re excited to strengthen our executive team and reinforce our franchise development program through the promotion of John LaBarge,” says Jim Vinz, Corner Bakery Cafe president and chief operating officer. “LaBarge’s many years of multi-unit operating experience and extensive brand depth ensures our franchise partners will receive an unparalleled level of service and support from Corner Bakery Cafe.”
“We are privileged to have John LaBarge as our Corner Bakery Cafe franchise representative,” says John Cutter, president of The Cutter Group. “John’s expansive knowledge of the brand, his work ethic, his values, and his integrity have contributed immensely to our success as a Corner Bakery Cafe franchise partner.”
Under LaBarge’s leadership, Corner Bakery has developed a strong relationship with its franchise partner in Salt Lake City, opening its first location in the market earlier this year. In Denver, franchise expansion has been met with continued success as it recently opened its fourth location. CBC Restaurant Corp has a total of 125 committed new franchise locations, more than doubling the current Corner Bakery Cafe system with additional partnerships to be announced in the near term.
LaBarge boasts more than 20 years of industry experience and 10 years of operational success with Corner Bakery Cafe. He will guide new franchise partners during the training process on through to their cafe openings and serve as the ongoing contact for day-to-day assistance. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, LaBarge has also served as an area director for Corner Bakery in Chicago and worked previously with Brinker International in multi-unit operations.
