Overview

Gender

female

Investor Type

Angel

Kat Cole is Group President at FOCUS Brands and responsible for building FOCUS Brands revenues and profits through global licensing, manufacturing, and ecommerce.

Previously, she was President of Cinnabon, Inc. accountable for leading and growing the multi-channel brand team that drove record comp sales growth, brand expansion and franchise evolution during her tenure. Prior to her role with FOCUS Brands at Cinnabon, Inc., Ms. Cole was a Vice President at Hooters of America, Inc., a multi-channel brand which operates company and franchise restaurants. She received her MBA from Georgia State University, and sits on the advisory boards of Project Pie, a QSR Pizza Chain and Orpheus Brewing, an Atlanta-based Craft Brewery. Kat is presently the incoming Board Chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum.

Her story is often shared for inspiration as she moved up from working as a hostess at 17 years old to traveling globally to open new franchises. At 19, Kat dropped out of college, advanced to various management and leadership positions, and at the age of 26, became a Vice President at Hooters. She later completed her MBA at Georgia State University.

She is widely known for legacy business model innovation, building brands, humanitarian work in the US and Eastern Africa and mentorship and development of emerging leaders.