Keith Hudson

Keith Hudson, CFE, first became interested in franchising early in his business career, while managing the Small Business Division of the Trust Department of Texas Commerce. At the bank, one of his customers was the Houston-area developer of Burger King franchises. In serving the needs of his customer, Keith gained knowledge about franchising and became intrigued by its unique opportunities.

After his tenure at Texas Commerce, Keiths career took him to Occidental Petroleum Company, where he served as director of banking for its Hooker Chemical division before he joined an investment group that purchased a Houston bank and made Keith the institutions CEO.

In the early 1980s he left banking a second time, now to assist a major Houston commercial real estate developer in managing construction, leasing and management functions. During the same period, Keith became developer, owner, operator and manager of several retail and commercial office developments for his own and others accounts.

As the 1990s approached, firmly entrenched in financial consulting and private investment banking, Keith discovered that his interest in the franchise business had not waned. For seven years, as his wife owned and operated two franchise stores, Keith served as her business consultant. Working alongside her in those businesses, Keith not only gained extensive knowledge about franchising, but also developed formulas for efficiently launching and marketing new franchiseswhich remain his passion today.

Keith is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a mark of distinction and leadership, demonstrating his commitment to franchising and his ongoing pursuit of franchise knowledge. Keith holds a BBA (finance) degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of International Business degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and a MBA (finance and marketing) from St. Thomas. He has served in varied capacities at several charities, Duchesne Academy and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. He is also active in his church, having served on the Executive Finance Committee and the Administrative Board.