Unleashing Opportunity: Inside Skiptown’s New Franchise Model with CEO Mike Rotondo

Mike Rotondo, CEO of Skiptown, a fast-growing, tech-enabled pet care brand now expanding through franchising joins Enterprise Radio.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is on association with the Franchising Channel.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Mike Rotondo discuss the following:

Skiptown recently announced it is now franchising. For those who may be new to the brand, can you explain what Skiptown is and what makes this concept so unique in the pet care industry?
You’ve led several major franchise brands in your career. How has your experience at Altitude, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Edible Arrangements shaped the way you support franchisees today at Skiptown?
What do you look for in an ideal Skiptown franchise partner, and what qualities tend to separate the most successful franchisees from the rest?
As Skiptown expands nationally, what are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about entering the pet care industry, and how does Skiptown’s model help overcome those challenges?
Skiptown’s tech platform is a major differentiator. How does technology help franchisees run the business more efficiently and create a better experience for pups and their parents?

Conclusion/Tip: When you’re considering becoming a franchisee, focus first on whether you can truly support your people. The most successful operators I’ve ever worked with, across every brand, invest deeply in their teams, embrace the system, and stay open to feedback. A great franchise model only works when the people running it make their people the priority.

Mike Rotondo is the CEO of Skiptown. He is a results-driven leader known for boosting business performance and profitability through strategic vision and team empowerment.

He holds extensive franchise and brand-building experience and is the former CEO of Altitude Trampoline Parks, a premier indoor entertainment and adventure venue. Under his guidance, Altitude launched profitable programs like the “Endless Jumps” membership, which has driven sustained, double-digit sales growth at numerous locations.

He previously served as CEO of Edible Arrangements, where he led all franchise and company operations for the 1,100+ unit system. Prior to Edible Arrangements, Rotondo was the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café, the nearly 1,000-unit smoothie and sandwich chain based in Atlanta, GA. During Rotondo’s tenure, the brand experienced significant growth as unit-level revenues doubled and franchise owners added over 1,300 new units.

Product innovation, franchisee collaboration, and an ‘anything is possible approach’ are the cornerstones of his leadership style. Rotondo has also held various leadership roles at Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Honey Baked Ham throughout his career.

Rotondo has been recognized as a Hall of Fame Georgia Titan 100.