Operator experience. Investor discipline. Long-term vision.
Daniel Guedes
Entrepreneur and Professional Board Member with more than 30 years of experience in franchising. His career combines network creation, expansion and governance.
Experience
AS AN EXECUTIVE AND INTERIM MANAGER has extensive experience managing franchise networks, including franchise structuring and expansion. He has led and/or served as president of some of Brazil’s largest franchising companies and was recognized as Best Franchisor of the Year by PEGN (2020) and ABF (2022), as well as achieving a Top 100 GPTW ranking among the best companies to work for. He has experience in international expansion and relationships with Private Equity and Venture Capital funds. He is Director of Relationship Intelligence, Regional Chapters and Member Value at ABF (Brazilian Franchising Association) for the 2027–2028 term.
AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, he has built businesses across several sectors, especially franchise networks in education and foodservice. He attracted investors including José Carlos Semenzato, founder of SMZTO and a Shark Tank Brazil investor, and banker Guilherme Benchimol, founder of XP Inc. Today, his holding company GDS Participações owns stakes in franchisors that together have more than 200 franchises and annual GMV above R$ 300 million.
AS A BOARD MEMBER, he completed the Professional Board Member Program at Fundação Dom Cabral and has served on the boards of companies across sectors and sizes, including SMZTO, Casa do Construtor and Grupo Seta Inspeção Veicular, among others.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND includes undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Philosophy. He also holds an MBA in Marketing from FGV, an MBA in Franchising from FIA/USP and international graduate education with an MBA and a Master’s degree from the European university ISCTE Business School. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Fundação Dom Cabral.
AS AN AUTHOR/RESEARCHER, he has published more than 10 books in 9 countries and two languages. His work spans franchise network management, delivery and restaurant management, performance, technology and AI, as well as philosophical essays, novels, fiction and academic articles published in Brazil and abroad.
Knowledge built at the intersection of practice, research and business experience.
A selection of works on franchising, strategy, technology, leadership and entrepreneurship.
