About Us
What makes Cornerstone unique is the fact that all our partners have actual experience as business owners. We’ve done everything from running a food cart to being executives at some of the largest franchise brands in the world. This experience allows us to truly empathize with entrepreneurs because we understand the daily challenges of running a business.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Ryan Combe
Ryan has spent his entire career in franchising. He has been a CEO, Senior VP, Franchisee, Franchisor and almost anything else you can do within a franchise concept. Launching his first concept in 2007, he grew the brand to over 20 units open and over 80 units sold in just 18 months. Since then, Ryan has played an integral role in launching dozens of brands. He has found a unique niche as an expert in service brands where he has helped hundreds of people launch their own service business. As the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Cornerstone, Ryan has advised on billions of dollars in Private Equity transactions.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Ryan Hicks
Ryan has served the franchise community as an accomplished supplier and trusted technology advisor for more than a decade. His knowledge in franchising combined with skills in strategy, business development, franchise technology, local and national marketing, and uncanny ability to network and build relationships has helped organizations achieve explosive growth. Ryan is the host of Modrn Business Podcast, which boasts one of the largest franchise community audiences in the world— publishing over 400 episodes since January of 2018 with the most prominent franchise leaders in the world. He is a Certified Franchise Executive, serves on the IFA Marketing and Innovation Committee, has served as a member of IFA’s FranPACTask Force, and has a personal mission to evangelize franchising as a vehicle to personal freedom.
Principal/Partner
David Barr
David has decades of successful experience as a strategist, investor, and operator. He is the former Chair of the International Franchise Association and is one of the most respected voices in the franchise industry. He currently serves as the Chairman of PMTD Restaurants. He has served on the board of directors for numerous brands, including Domino’s Pizza-China, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group (owner of premium steakhouses), TITLE Boxing Club (boxing fitness studios), Rita Restaurant Corp. (owner of Don Pablo’s Mexican Restaurants), Bistro Group (franchisee of TGI Friday’s), The Jewelry Group ( the third largest retail jeweler in Australia), Samuels Jewelers, Inc. (the United States’ 7th largest specialty retail jeweler), Famous Brands (owner of Mrs. Fields and TCBY), and Real Mex (owner of Chevy’s and El
Toritos).