---
title: "Empower Brands Announces Franchising Expert R. Scott Sutton as New Chief Development Officer"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/df4e147c-a352-4464-8f4b-229e77c171f6
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230120_empower_brands_announces_franchising_expert_r_scott_sutton_as_new_chief_dev.html
category: "Franchisors"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
segment: "Franchisors"
topics: ["Finance & M&A","People"]
published: 2023-01-20T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:34:44.559Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1526304640581-d334cdbbf45e?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Empower Brands Announces Franchising Expert R. Scott Sutton as New Chief Development Officer

**TL;DR:** Empower Brands has appointed R. Scott Sutton as its new Chief Development Officer, bringing over two decades of franchising experience. Sutton will play a critical role in capitalizing on each brand's growth potential through franchise development strategies.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-01-20. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20230120_empower_brands_announces_franchising_expert_r_scott_sutton_as_new_chief_dev.html).*

## Story

Richmond, Virginia - Empower Brands has appointed franchise development expert R. Scott Sutton as its new Chief Development Officer.

With over two decades of franchising experience, Sutton will play a critical role in capitalizing on each brand’s growth potential through the expansion and execution of franchise development strategies across Empower Brands’ portfolio.

“Empower Brands had a milestone year across our network, and Scott will be a crucial part in continuing momentum in franchise development,” said Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. “Scott brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in the franchising industry."

In his new role, Sutton will be responsible for the franchise development strategies, initiatives and tactics across Empower’s commercial and residential service brands, which currently include: Archadeck Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Conserva Irrigation, JAN-PRO, Intelligent Office, FRSTeam and Superior Fence & Rail.

Sutton holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and is both a Certified Franchise Executive and a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor. Currently, Sutton also serves as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the International Franchise Association’s (the "IFA") Foundation and is a member of the IFA’s Legislative Action Group. He is a former Chairman of the Emerging Franchisor Conference and served on the Board of the International Institute of Franchise Education at the Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Franchise Industry (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- executive appointment (topic)
- IFA (company)
- JAN-PRO (company)
- Empower Brands (company)
- R. Scott Sutton (person)
- Conserva Irrigation (company)
- Outdoor Lighting Perspectives (company)
- Superior Fence & Rail (company)
- Intelligent Office (company)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20230120_empower_brands_announces_franchising_expert_r_scott_sutton_as_new_chief_dev.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/df4e147c-a352-4464-8f4b-229e77c171f6).