Meet the Team

Our Franchise Real Estate professionals bring together backgrounds in commercial real estate, franchise development, market analytics, and operations—giving our clients a rare blend of strategic insight and practical execution.

We work as an extension of your brand, collaborating closely with franchisors, franchisees, brokers, and landlords to ensure every site decision supports long-term growth. From first-time franchise owners to multi-unit operators and enterprise-level brands, our team is built to guide smart expansion, mitigate risk, and create locations where franchises don’t just open – they thrive.

Meet our seasoned group of real estate strategists, market analysts, and franchise operational experts – united by one goal: securing locations that make your brand shine.

Mike Brugger is the President of Franchise Real Estate where he with oversees the real estate and construction team to find ideal locations for owners. He got started in commercial Real Estate in 2006, helping launch over 80 retail locations and has helped over 1200 businesses find their ideal space. Mike has been very successful in overseeing multiple departments since he came on board in 1994 including marketing, technology, and training and spent 4 years as the President of Fully Promoted. He has a passion for helping people succeed, value engineering and finding creative solutions related to business.

Brian Constantinou is a Senior Real Estate Manager for Franchise Real Estate at United Franchise Group since 2015. A real estate professional since 2009, specializing in commercial and multi-unit development with strengths in project management and data analytics. He brings a strategic, results‑driven approach to site selection and market analysis, partnering with franchisors and franchisees on acquisitions, leasing, and property optimization

Fre has been with United Franchise Group for just over three years and is a key member of the Franchise Real Estate Team. In this role, Fre supports real estate strategy and site selection for brands including Graze Craze and Fully Promoted, while also working with select AFI clients.

Fre is known for a hands-on, franchisee-first approach, taking the time to understand each owner’s goals and market before guiding them through the real estate process. With a strong focus on value and long-term success, Fre works diligently to secure quality locations and negotiate the best possible deals, helping franchisees build a solid foundation for growth.

Hemal Parag is a construction and franchise project management professional with more than 23 years of experience delivering complex projects across commercial, hospitality, retail, restaurant, industrial, government, and residential sectors. He specializes in construction strategy, estimating, contract and change management, and cross-functional leadership, consistently executing projects on time, within budget, and in alignment with brand standards. Currently serving as a Senior Project Manager for Franchise Real Estate, Hemal oversees design coordination and construction execution for new, existing, and franchised locations. A former entrepreneur and hotel developer, he brings a unique owner-operator perspective, and a hospitality-driven approach focused on problem-solving, collaboration, and long-term success.

As Director of Real Estate, I lead real estate strategy and site development for The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, while also supporting Graze Craze and other AFI brands. I collaborate with franchisees, brokers, landlords, and internal partners to secure high-quality locations, negotiate competitive lease terms, and manage each project from initial site selection through lease execution. My role is focused on supporting franchisees in developing their territories, executing multi-unit development plans, and keeping projects on schedule to ensure long-term success.