Graze Craze, a charcuterie franchise pioneering the graze-style food category, announced today the appointment of Cory Hibbard as its new Brand President. Hibbard most recently served as Vice President of Operations for Transworld Business Advisors where he was integral in taking the brand from an emerging business brokerage franchise to the global leader in the space with over 350 locations, 700 brokers system wide, and over $3 billion in active inventory. In his new role as President of Graze Craze, Hibbard will oversee the rapidly growing concept’s operations and ongoing nationwide expansion.
Graze Craze is part of United Franchise Group™ (UFG), the global leader for entrepreneurs, where it has access to UFG’s global network of resources and more than 35 years of franchising expertise. UFG began franchising the emerging concept just last year and has already opened 30 locations with 105 units in development. Graze Craze was previously led by UFG’s Chief Operating Officer, Brady Lee, who served the brand in tandem with his role as COO. Hibbard joins Graze Craze in a fully designated position; Lee will continue his responsibilities as UFG’s COO.
“Going into 2023, we wanted to have a dedicated president for Graze Craze to lead the brand through a pivotal period in its development, so we are so excited to have Cory join the team. He has been with UFG for eight years and was instrumental in the success of one of our fastest growing brands, Transworld Business Advisors,” said Ray Titus, CEO of UFG. “Cory has proven himself to be a strong and capable business leader, and we couldn’t think of anyone more fitting to come into this special brand and take it to new heights.”
Cory Hibbard joined UFG in 2014 after graduating from Palm Beach Atlantic University where he now serves on the board for the Titus Center for Franchising. He spent the last seven and a half years of his eight-year tenure at UFG with Transworld Business Advisors where he fulfilled a variety of responsibilities during a significant period of growth for the brand. He served as a Franchise Support Manager and TBA’s Director of Operations before being appointed as Vice President of Operations where he oversaw the support team, digital marketing initiatives, national accounts, franchise owner relations, and overall network success. Now, as President of Graze Craze, Hibbard’s focus will be on driving unit sales and profits, expanding the brand’s offerings, and leading the concept through another year of substantial growth.
“Graze Craze is on a rocket ship trajectory, achieving tremendous momentum in its first year of franchising. 2023 will be another year of explosive growth and I’m excited to leverage the skills I acquired taking Transworld Business Advisors through a period of remarkable growth and applying it to a new model,” said Hibbard. “It’s undoubtedly an exciting time for Graze Craze and I’m honored to join the team to continue building the brand as a dominant leader in not just the charcuterie space, but the franchising industry as a whole.”
Charcuterie and graze-style dining have gained national popularity in recent years. Sales of charcuterie-based deli meats and charcuterie packaged snacks in the U.S. were over $950 million in 2020 and continue to grow at approximately 10% per year. The global processed meat market is currently valued at $585 million and is projected to increase to $619 million in 2023 and $737 million by 2026. In an increasingly competitive and saturated restaurant industry.
Graze Craze has carved out a defensible niche and is among the first concepts to successfully scale the unique dining style into a proven franchise model.
