How Dog Haus’s new area director program could fast track growth, according to CEO
Michael Montagano shares how 15 area directors will help take the fast casual from 60 locations to 300 and beyond.
July 2, 2026
Dog Haus recently introduced a new franchise model that leverages area directors in 15 territories to ramp up unit growth.
But while plenty of restaurant companies have leveraged area directors to streamline growth, Dog Haus CEO Michael Montagano thinks the brand’s program is unique in how it gives those ADs equity and board seats — a much deeper relationship between franchisor and franchisee that is intended to align both parties on the chain’s growth journey.
Montagano recently sat down with NRN’s editor in chief at Dog Haus’s original location in Pasadena, Calif., to share more about how this new AD program could help Dog Haus grow to 300 locations and beyond. The two also talk about Dog Haus’s unique new beverage relationship with Dr Pepper.
In this conversation, you’ll learn more about why:
Franchisees should be experts in their trade areas
You should treat your franchisees as the brand partners that they are
Area directors are like player coaches who can level up the brand
There’s no deadline for ramping up growth
An experiential concept in a streamlined footprint equals future restaurant success
Franchisees should be experts in their trade areas
You should treat your franchisees as the brand partners that they are
Area directors are like player coaches who can level up the brand
There’s no deadline for ramping up growth
An experiential concept in a streamlined footprint equals future restaurant success
Contact Sam Oches at [email protected].
About the Author
Sam Oches
Editor in Chief
Sam Oches is an award-winning Editorial Director with Informa Connect Foodservice and editor in chief of Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. A graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Sam previously served as Editorial Director of Food News Media, publisher of QSR and FSR magazines. He’s a past president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) and a past board member with the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). His foodservice insights have been shared in national media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, and CNBC. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and three kids.
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