Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits, the beloved Southeastern quick-service restaurant brand, has partnered with restaurant and franchise industry veteran Mike Reynolds to help grow the company and attract new multi-unit franchisees. The move comes on the heels of the legacy southern fried chicken brand signing new franchise agreements in Atlanta, which signal a new wave of growth for the once-bankrupt restaurant company.

Reynolds most recently served as President and CEO of casual dining concept Rock and Brews, where he was responsible for doubling the chain’s valuation in just 14 months and signing new multi-unit development agreements throughout the country, among other accomplishments as the brand’s first CEO. With a long history in franchise development, Reynolds has sold more than 1,000 franchises domestically and internationally during his 25+ year career in the industry. At Mrs. Winner’s, Reynolds will serve as Chief Development Officer in an advisory position and is charged with brand strategy and franchise development.

Before Rock and Brews, Reynolds was Chief Development Officer for smoothie brand Robeks, where he is credited with selling 80 franchise and multi-unit development agreements as part of the overhaul of the development team, in addition to increasing overall store revenue and implementing a co-branding partnership with Subway. Reynolds was also co-founder and General Manager of national brand Big City Bagels. He additionally held senior level development positions at Arby’s and Grand Met, the parent corporation for Burger King and Häagen-Dazs.

“Mrs. Winner’s is in a pivotal place right now where the brand can come out of near-extinction to rival others in the quick-service fried chicken segment. Our product is second-to-none and I believe there is strong, untapped growth potential for this brand,” said Reynolds.