Open to opportunities

Daniel Watkins

@danielwatkins

Message

Franchise and corporate finance consultant driving cost savings and growth.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek remote roles leveraging franchise development and corporate finance expertise, focused on strategic impact, process improvement, and leadership opportunities.

I am a hands-on franchise and corporate finance consultant with deep experience in franchise development, FP&A, controllership, and process improvement. I work remotely and serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership across franchisors and CPG clients.

At The Franchise Consulting Company I support development for emerging brands and have global consulting reach, helping clients research and select franchise opportunities at no cost to the prospect. I have a proven ability to generate leads, coach, and close franchise agreements.

In corporate finance roles I have led accounting policy changes, managed debt covenants, closed fiscal years, led external audits, and strengthened internal controls — notably delivering a complete three-year strategic plan and cash forecasting at WineDirect within 60 days.

I delivered sustained top- and bottom-line growth at Constellation Brands by consolidating finance operations for a $400M sales division, correcting multi-million-dollar plan gaps, and leading post-acquisition integration. I bring practical leadership, team building, and a results-oriented approach to capturing fiscal efficiencies.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Franchise Consultant

Current

The Franchise Consulting Company

Jan 2015 - Present (10 years 9 months)

Provide business development and franchise advisory services to hundreds of franchise brands, guiding lead generation, franchise selection, and client onboarding while operating remotely.

Franchise Development Lead Generation Advisory Business Development Process Improvement

Corporate Financial Consultant

Wine & Spirits Clients

Jan 2013 - Dec 2019 (6 years 11 months)

Advised wine & spirits clients on corporate finance, strategy, and process improvements across treasury, inventory, and financial reporting for multiple engagements (2013–2019).

Corporate Finance FP&A Internal Controls Cash Management Inventory Management Financial Reporting Strategic Planning

Interim Corporate Controller

WineDirect

Jan 2014 - Dec 2014 (11 months)

As interim Corporate Controller, restructured accounting policies for internally developed software, managed bank covenants, closed the fiscal year, led external audit, and implemented cash forecasting within 60 days.

Corporate Accounting Accounting Policies Internal Audit Cash Forecasting Internal Controls

Director of Sales Finance

Constellation Brands

Jan 2008 - Dec 2013 (5 years 11 months)

Directed finance for a $400M sales division, consolidated accounting and forecasting across five subsidiaries, and supported initiatives that drove ~3% bottom-line growth and 2.5% volume gains annually.

Sales Finance Forecasting Financial Planning Pricing Strategy Budgeting Internal Controls

Director of Finance

Pacific Wine Partners

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008 (1 year 11 months)

Led corporate finance for a $300M division, served as division-level CFO, closed a $1.8M profit gap, and built a high-performing finance team.

Division CFO Team Leadership FP&A P&L management Financial Reporting Strategic Finance

Controller

Constellation Brands

Jan 2004 - Dec 2007 (3 years 11 months)

Managed controller responsibilities for the Western Division, reduced monthly close from 5 to 3 days, and improved management reporting and variance analysis.

Month End Close Management Reporting Process Improvement Cross Functional Collaboration