John “JD” Draper has more than four decades of retail and restaurant management experience. JD” as he is affectionately known, is the Executive Consultant for V&J Holding Companies, Inc. previously JD served as President of Operations for V&J Holding Companies Inc., one of the largest multi-unit franchise restaurant companies in the United States with over 90 million in sales annually as reported by GE Capital 2012 Chain Restaurant Industry Review. He has been with V&J for over nineteen years and has played a significant role in the organization’s growth and success. Since assuming his role as President in January 2007, JD has had direct responsibility for over 160 restaurants including Pizza Huts, Burger Kings, Auntie Anne’s, Coffee Beanery’s, Cinnabon Bakeries and Häagen Dazs shops that collectively operate in six states, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. JD is a hands-on operator who supervises the training and development of over 4,500 team members while working with the Executive Board of Directors to execute strategic development and operational plans.

 

In 1994 JD was hired as the District Manager with V&J Holding Companies, Inc., with 20 Burger Kings Restaurants. In 1997 JD was promoted to the franchise Vice President of Operations where he led the company’s largest expansion of 70 Pizza Hut franchisee units in Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Later in 1999 in added to that expansion with an additional 40 Pizza Hut franchised unit, to take the total in two years to 110 units.

He also worked with Keys Group Company a Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisee for over twenty years as Vice President of Operations. As a District Manager under Keys Group, JD developed operational systems that became models for the franchisees in the Detroit, Michigan area and throughout the country. One such program was called the “Draper System” the Draper System developed in the early 1970, consisted of the day-to-day monitoring and managing of restaurants against a profit plan which increased profits by more than 30% in the first year of implementing this program.

 

While developing his career in hospitality, JD served as a Dental Specialist Five in the United States Army Reserves for six years, owned and operated J.C. Draper Management Consultant, Inc., and for four years was an owner, Vice President, and General Manager of two radio stations, WJIZ-FM and WJYZ-AM Communications Group in Albany, Georgia.

JD is highly respected for his big smile, astute leadership, dedication, and constant professionalism, and credits his success to optimism, ambition, passion, integrity, and hard work, qualities he exercises in all his pursuits. An avid believer in the importance of education, John attended Wayne State University and received a B.A. where he majored in Business Administration. He is a proud member of several professional organizations including The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance and a life member of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the NAACP. From 1994 until 2019 JD was a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he maintains an active profile within the local community where he serves as a Board Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Southeast Wisconsin and a previous Board position with North Milwaukee State Bank and the Milwaukee World Festivals. JD was appointed in 2013 to the International Franchise Association Diversity Institute as a Board member and was selected as IFA’s Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award recipient. The award was formally presented during IFA’s Annual Convention in New Orleans on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. In 2016 JD was appointed to IFA Board of Directors and in 2020 he was appointed to the International Certified Franchise Executives Board of Governors Directors.

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JD has been recognized numerous times for his efforts within the African American community from Multi-Unit Franchise Magazine, QSR Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine and Essence Magazine and has been featured in many articles about his company’s work within the business community to increase awareness of the opportunities in the franchising, including his son John C. Draper II who was a multi-unit franchisee in Michigan. JD donates generously in time and support to United Way and Doctors without Borders.

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Honors & Awards:

2020 International Certified Franchise Executives Board of Governors Directors

2019 –50 Year Life Member Service Award Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

2019 Year Service Award Board Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Southeastern Wisconsin

2019 Board Member Center of Teaching Entrepreneurship

2016 Men and Women of Excellence Award, Michigan Chronicle

2016 – 2022 IFA Board of Director, International Franchises Association

2015 NRA Education Foundation’s Fasces of Diversity Award, Wisconsin State Finalist

2014 Who’s Who Network of Executives and Professionals, Network of Professionals Publications

2014 Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award, International Franchise Association, February 2014

2013 Board Member and 1 st Vice Chair, IFA Educational Foundation Diversity Institute

2013 Speaker Award at Entrepreneur Event Delta Sigma Tau Theta

2010 Who’s Who of Executive, Professional & Entrepreneurs, Cambridge Who’s Who Publications

2009 Who’s Who in Leadership, Strathmore Who’s Who Publications

2007 You Are The Standard of Excellent Award, V & J Holding Companies, Inc.

2006 You Are The Standard of Excellent Award, V & J Holding Companies, Inc.

2005 You Are The Standard of Excellent Award, V & J Holding Companies, Inc.

2004 – 2019 Board Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Southeastern Wisconsin

2004 – 2014 Board Member North Milwaukee State Bank, Milwaukee Wisconsin

2001 Playmaker Clipboard Award #48, Mike Miles, CEO Pizza Hut Inc.

2001 You Are The Standard of Excellent Award, V & J Holding Companies, Inc.

2000 – 2003 New York Restaurant Association Board of Directors

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2000 – 2006 Board Member and Vice Chair of Food Committee, Milwaukee Summerfest Board

2000 Who’s Who of International Professionals, International Who’s Who of Professional Publications

1994 –25 Year Life Member Service Award Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

1990 – 1992 Board Member of the Booker T. Washington Business Association

1992 – 1994 Member of the National Radio Association

1993 Keys Communications The Rock Award

1999 You Are The Standard of Excellent Award, V & J Holding Companies, Inc.

1998 Cheese Head Award #210, Mike Rawlings, CEO Pizza Hut Inc.

1989 Who’s Who Among American Executives, Who’s Who Among American Executives Publications

1988 Who’s Who in Midwest America, Marquis Who’s Who Registry

1978 Honorable Discharge, United States Army

1978 Best Boss Award, Keys Group Company

1968 President of the National Honors Society, National Honors Society of Secondary Schools

1968 Treasurer of the Senior High School Class, Murray Wright HS

1968 Caption of Football Team, Murray Wright High School

1965 Certificate of Honorable Mention, American Legion School

1964 American Legion Award, Pelham Junior High School

E-mail: jcdraper1@Gmail.com