Patrick K. Walls, J.D.

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Senior Franchise Consultant
iFranchise Group, Inc.

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Area of Franchise Expertise

Strategic Franchise Development and Business Planning:
Strategic Planning, Franchise Law, and Franchise Expansion

Patrick Walls has 30 years of experience working as a CEO, President, COO, CDO and General Counsel for small and medium-sized companies, primarily in the franchising and distribution space. 

Born and raised in Chicago, Mr. Walls started his career in 1994 working for a large franchise consulting firm, consulting with and drafting franchise documents for companies ranging from start-up franchisors to Fortune 50 companies. 

In 1997, Mr. Walls was recruited by McAlister’s Corporation, one of his former consulting clients and the franchisor of McAlister’s Deli.  At that time, McAlister’s Deli was a 10-unit restaurant chain in Mississippi that had recently started franchising.  During his 12-year tenure, the company grew to 300 units doing over $280 million in systemwide sales and Mr. Walls had risen to Chief Franchise Officer, Secretary and General Counsel, overseeing the franchise sales, real estate, construction, administration, franchise operations, training, legal and corporate compliance functions for the company.  Mr. Walls also oversaw the legal process for the company during a management-led buyout in 1999 and a private equity buyout six years later.

In 2009, Mr. Walls moved to Las Vegas and served as President, COO and General Counsel for Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, a 40-year-old franchised regional sandwich chain with 40 units.  During his six-year tenure, the company more than doubled in size, sold hundreds of franchises and developed a national footprint.

In 2015, Mr. Walls then was recruited to become CEO of United Aqua Group, one of the country’s largest swimming pool buying groups.  After four years of unprecedented growth in sales and membership and the creation of an international program, Mr. Walls left with the goal of semi-retirement.  This lasted for a few months before Mr. Walls was recruited by Leisure Pools, one of the world’s largest fiberglass swimming pool manufacturers, to become COO and develop a franchised swimming pool service business.  After developing the business model, opening a working prototype, recruiting and hiring an entire franchise support staff and launching the franchise program in 2021, Mr. Walls again decided to semi-retire.  Mr. Walls now finds himself putting his extensive franchise business and legal experience and acumen to work for iFranchise Group and its clients. 

Mr. Walls is a published author and has spoken at numerous franchising events, IFA conferences, and franchise legal symposia in the U.S. and internationally.  He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Mississippi and is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.  Mr. Walls resides in Henderson, Nevada with his wife and son.