Meet the Team
Al Hank
Co-Chief Operating Officer
Al Hank was appointed as Co-Chief Operating Officer of Papa Murphy’s International LLC in December 2023. Mr. Hank began his career with Famous Dave’s as an hourly team member in 2005. During 2020 and up to his election as Chief Operating Officer of Famous Dave’s of American, Inc. (“FDA”) in Minnetonka, MN in 2021, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations. During 2018 to 2019, he held various management roles with FDA, including Senior Director Strategy and Development, Senior Director of Operations and Franchise Business Consultant. From 2015 to 2017, Mr. Hank was an Area Director with FDA. Prior to that, starting in 2012, he served as a General Manager of FDA’s Westbury, NY location.
Adam Lehr
Co-Chief Operating Officer
Adam Lehr was appointed as Co-Chief Operating officer of Papa Murphy’s International LLC in December 2023. Mr. Lehr has been Co-Chief Operating Officer of Famous Dave’s of America (“FDA”) in Minnetonka, MN since October 2022, and prior to that was the Senior Vice President of Operations over both corporate and franchise restaurants since January 2020. Since joining FDA’s in 2018, he was also involved with the franchise operations as both the Director of Operations and as a Franchise Business Consultant.
Shauna Walker
Senior Vice President of Franchise Performance and Engagement
Shauna Walker joined Papa Murphy’s in 1995 on the Operations team where she served franchise owners through 2001. Since then, Ms. Walker has held leadership positions in Field Operations, Training, Advertising and Field Marketing. Most recently she has led Support Center Operations as Vice President, Operations Services until she assumed her current role as Senior Vice President of Franchise Performance and Engagement in August 2021.
Dan Rudolph
Vice President of Field Operations
Dan Rudolph initially joined Papa Murphy’s International LLC in May 2013 as a Market Coach and later as a Market Leader until August 2015. From August 2015 to December 2017, Mr. Rudolph was with L & H Arizona Ventures Inc., DBA Papa Murphy’s, located in Phoenix, Arizona as its Vice President of Operations. In February 2018, Mr. Rudolph rejoined Papa Murphy’s as a Regional Business Leader. In October 2019, Mr. Rudolph was promoted to Director of Operations Excellence. In August 2021, Mr. Rudolph was promoted to Vice President of Operations Services.
Katie Kimbrell
Director of Growth & Acquisitions
Katie Kimbrell serves as Director of Growth & Acquisitions at Papa Murphy’s International, where she is responsible for driving the growth and expansion of the company through the successful launch of new franchise stores and store acquisitions. She has been with the brand since 2021. Prior to joining the team at Papa Murphy’s, Katie spent nine years at barre3 – a nationally recognized premium franchise fitness brand – overseeing corporate studios, leading field training, and directing franchise studio development. Katie has a proven track record in the end-to-end process of opening new franchise stores; supporting and guiding hundreds of franchisees from site selection to store launch.
Ray Zandi
Vice President of U.S. Business Development
Ray opened his first franchised restaurant in the late 1980’s in California, while working full time as a first responder Paramedic. He became a multi-unit operator within a couple of years and expanded his restaurant portfolio. Several years later, he retired from being a Paramedic and moved to Arizona with his family, where he opened a sandwich chain franchise and became a multi-unit operator for that concept. In the mid 2000’s Ray bought the Franchise Development rights to a Mediterranean concept called Extreme Pita out of Canada, and helped open over 50 Extreme Pita locations over the next few years. In 2013 Ray sold his development rights and became MTY’s Vice President of U.S. Business Development for the MTY group of brands. In 2022, MTY Group acquired BBQ Holdings, Inc. Ray became the V.P. of U.S. Development for BBQ Holdings, Inc., that includes well-known brands such as Famous Dave’s BBQ, Village Inn, Barrio Queen and many more. Currently, Ray continues to be the V.P. of U.S. Development for several brands under the MTY umbrella, now including Papa Murphy’s.
Shemar Pucel
Senior Director of Franchise Sales
Shemar Pucel joined Papa Murphy’s International LLC in November 2020 as Director, Franchise Sales. Ms. Pucel was promoted to Senior Director, Franchise Sales in April 2022. Shemar is a certified franchise executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association (IFA) and has more than ten years’ experience working with a variety of franchise brands. Shemar has assisted hundreds of prospective franchisees in navigating through the education and qualification process with a variety of franchise opportunities, including sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt, Samurai Sam’s, and Mosquito Squad.
Rhonda McGrew
Director of Franchising
Rhonda McGrew joined Papa Murphy’s International LLC, in October 1997 in the accounting department. In 2001, Ms. McGrew joined the Franchise Sales team. Since 2001, Ms. McGrew has held various roles of increasing responsibility including promotions to Business Development Manager in February 2008, Franchise Sales Manager in February 2012, and to her current role of Director, Franchising in November 2020 supporting key functions of the franchise development process.
Erin Hughes
Franchise Development Specialist
Erin Hughes joined Papa Murphy’s International LLC in May 2015 with responsibilities that supported the Office Services department. In March 2016, Ms. Hughes joined the Franchise Sales team, responsible for various support roles and currently as Franchise Development Specialist.
Marissa Campbell
Qualification Specialist
Marissa Campbell joined Papa Murphy’s International LLC in July 2021 in her role as a regional Qualification Specialist, for which she is the first point of contact with individuals inquiring about our franchise program and helping them start their discovery process. Before joining Papa Murphy’s, Mrs. Campbell served nine years in the U.S. Air Force in the aerospace program and also held a career in the dental field.
