MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ServiceMaster Company, one of the world's largest residential and commercial service networks, announced today that Thomas Coba has joined as president of ServiceMaster Clean and Merry Maids. Coba will report to ServiceMaster Chief Executive Officer Hank Mullany.
Coba is responsible for 6,375 franchises and international licenses in 33 countries, 82 branches and 31,000 team members operating under the ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, AmeriSpec and Furniture Medic brands. These brands hold category-leading positions in residential and commercial cleaning, disaster restoration, home inspections and furniture repair, respectively.
Coba joins ServiceMaster from Milford, Conn.-based Subway Restaurants, where he served as chief operating officer at the world's largest quick-service restaurant chain. Subway operates more than 35,000 restaurants in 99 countries and has approximately $16 billion in annual sales.
Mike Isakson, formerly president and chief operating officer of ServiceMaster Clean and Merry Maids, will take on the role of president of Franchise Relations, reporting to Coba. In this newly created position, Isakson will work closely with ServiceMaster's global network of franchisees to help accelerate growth in the company's existing franchise businesses.
"I'm very excited to have someone with Tom Coba's proven leadership in global franchising join ServiceMaster," said Mullany. "Tom has an outstanding track record of increasing revenues and franchise profitability, as well as transforming customer experiences. By attracting talented leaders like Tom, we will turn ServiceMaster into a rapidly growing, best-in-class service provider."
"I'm also extremely pleased that Mike Isakson will remain in an important executive role with the company," said Mullany. "His past experience as a ServiceMaster Clean owner and his vast industry knowledge will allow him to forge even deeper relationships with our franchisees, driving growth in both residential and commercial services."
While at Subway, Coba oversaw the addition of more than $7.7 billion in new revenues and increased both same-store sales and franchise profitability seven years in a row. Coba also brings a wealth of experience in market expansion, leading operations responsible for opening 13,000 new restaurants and remodeling 13,900 locations since joining the company in 2004.
Coba's accomplishments at Subway included a technology strategy that included development and launch of an online university, the rollout of electronic gift cards and high-speed credit/debit processing. He had a lead role in the launch of the chain's new breakfast menu and implementation of a customer feedback initiative. He also led a number of retail technology initiatives, including software management tools to increase franchisee sales and profits.
Prior to joining Subway, Coba spent 20 years at Dunkin' Brands, Inc., of Canton, Mass., a leading franchiser that operates the Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's chains. At Dunkin' Brands, Coba held a number of executive roles in operations, real estate, development, construction, franchising and concept innovation. He was eventually promoted to vice president of franchising and new business development.
Prior to Dunkin' Brands, Coba led a multi-unit McDonald's franchise in the Boston area where he had direct P&L responsibility and oversight for all aspects of the business, including operations, new store openings and remodels.
He graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and biology.
About ServiceMaster
With a global network of more than 6,900 company-owned, franchise and licensed locations, Memphis-based ServiceMaster is one of the world's largest residential and commercial service networks. The company's high profile brands are TruGreen, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. Through approximately 22,000 corporate employees and a franchise network that independently employs over 31,000 additional people, the ServiceMaster family of brands serves more than 8.2 million customers every year and hold market-leading positions in residential and commercial lawn, tree and shrub care, termite and pest control, home warranties, furniture repair, home inspections, residential and commercial cleaning and disaster restoration. Go to www.servicemaster.com or twitter.com/ServiceMaster for more information about ServiceMaster.
For further information contact:
ServiceMaster:
Chris Curran
Work: 901.597.7829
Cell: 901.619.9056
Chris.curran@servicemaster.com
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