DonutNV Director of Franchise Development Kassia Thormahlen to Target Veterans
With franchisee turnover rising, sales agents and brokers fleeing, and even its former franchisee cheerleaders abandoning their supposedly “semi-absentee passive” money machine, a franchise industry newcomer assumes the un-NViable role as DonutNV’s first Director of Franchise Development. A Navy Veteran, she’s on a mission to help other Veterans “start a second career” and not “get stuck in unfulfilling jobs.”Welcome Kassia Thormahlen (nee Kassia Trumbull)! Best of luck in your new position. by Sean Kelly
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) Although DonutNV’s Director of Franchise Development has less than five years of experience spread across five or so companies, Kassia Thormahlen (nee Kassia Trumbull) has already made her mark in the industry.
She is the first franchise salesperson, to my knowledge, to have received a death threat in response to an initial franchise solicitation.
According to Kassia Thormahlen’s (aka Kassia Trumbull’s) LinkedIn post, about a month ago she received a death threat in response to a franchise solicitation she sent out.
The recipient stated that he would like to harm her and her entire family for her “being part of a business model that preys on people.”
“You are truly doing the Devil’s work,” he stated. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Kassia Thormahlen Threatened for Selling “A Business Model That Preys on People.”
Clearly, Kassia Thormahlen’s not ashamed nor hesitant to promote questionable business models.
Her press release (below) states that she is is “thrilled to champion DonutNV’s scalable, mobile business model” which “represents everything I love about franchising.”
“I want to help more people realize they don’t have to stay stuck in unfulfilling jobs. Instead, they can own something meaningful,” she said.
A NAVY Veteran herself, she especially wants to help “veterans starting second careers—it never gets old.”
She wants to help Veterans the way DonutNV helped ARMY Veteran Lee Alcorn?
Or ARMY Veteran & West Point Graduate Jim Mazurek, whose Orlando DonutNV franchise resulted in bankruptcy and loss of his house in Michigan*?
Source: Court records on Pacer.
Kassia Thormahlen Brings Nearly 5-Years of Experience to DonutNV
Kassia Thormahlen seems like a really nice person who doesn’t stay in one place for too long.
(That quality may serve her well in this case.)
According to her LinkedIn profile:
She was a franchise development freelancer for 11 months, working under the company name No Franchise Left Behind (no website).
For 1 year, 9 months she was Franchise Manager at Inspire Brands, parent company of Arby’s, Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, and others.
For 1 year, 9 months she was Franchise Sales Executive for Mayweather Boxing where she “managed the Director of Sales’ Calendar…” and was able to “make over 100 calls per day…” and qualift inbound callers, among other things.
While not listed on her LinkedIn resume, Kassia Trumbull / Kassia Thormahlen was also, evidently, Senior Director – Franchise Development at bubble tea franchisor Gong cha Global.
Somewhere within that time frame, she was Sales Director, Franchise at the infamous Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, one of the worst churning franchises in recent history.
We hope that her tenure at Dickey’s was too short to have taught her their secrets to openly churning locations without government or law enforcement intervention.
DonutNV 2025: Abandoned by Brokers
As I predicted back in December, 2025 is proving to be a defining, and un-NViable, year for Alex & Amanda Gingold & the DonutNV franchise organization:
As reported two days ago, the controversial powerhouse franchise sales organization (FSO) Franchise Fastlane has dropped the DonutNV franchise from its portfolio.
Numerous franchise brokers who signed DonutNV franchise agreements, either for show or for earnest, have apparently now sold, abandoned or stopped operating their DonutNV franchises, including:
FranChoice broker Jeff Bruce & son Jake Bruce of Natick, MA
Once a Social Media Darling, DonutNV Now Shares News Via Paid Press Release Distribution
Just over a year ago, the slightest positive DonutNV news announcement would be posted, reposted, liked and linked among its vast network of commissioned supporters.
Currently, DonutNV must use paid press-release service EIN Newswire to distribute via its contracted network of sites.
Luckily for DonutNV Marketing, EIN is running a special: $499 for 5 PRs plus 2 for Free.
Here’s the press release:
DonutNV Press Release Announcing Its New Director of Franchise Development:
DonutNV Welcomes Kassia Thormahlen as Director of Franchise Development
Aug 07, 2025, 4:03 PM ET
Kassia Thomahlen, Director of Development
DonutNV represents everything I love about franchising: smart systems, passionate founders, a standout product, and a mobile, turnkey model that aligns perfectly with today’s consumer trends.”
— Kassia Thormahlen
ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, August 7, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — DonutNV, the nation’s fastest-growing mobile mini donut franchise, is excited to announce the appointment of Kassia Thormahlen as Director of Franchise Development. With over five years of deep experience in the franchise industry, Thormahlen brings unparalleled expertise and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs to the DonutNV corporate team.
Thormahlen has an impressive track record, having worked with industry giants such as Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Arby’s, and Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, managing the full franchise sales cycle—from lead generation and qualification to territory checks, FDD reviews, and deal closures. “I’ve sold hundreds of units, built dozens of pipelines, and I approach every brand uniquely,” Thormahlen said. “I’m a closer, but more importantly, I’m a builder.”
Her drive for franchising is rooted in its transformative potential. “Franchising is one of the most powerful vehicles to help people achieve business ownership with a proven system,” Thormahlen shared. “You’re not just selling a concept; you’re helping people change their lives and build generational wealth.” This passion aligns perfectly with DonutNV’s mission to make entrepreneurship accessible and rewarding.
What Thormahlen enjoys most is guiding aspiring business owners to their breakthrough moment. “The moment a candidate realizes, ‘This is actually happening. I’m becoming a business owner.’ That’s everything,” she said. “I’ve seen first-time business owners, parents partnering with their adult kids, and veterans starting second careers—it never gets old. I love being their guide through the process.”
As Director of Franchise Development, Thormahlen is thrilled to champion DonutNV’s scalable, mobile business model. “DonutNV represents everything I love about franchising: smart systems, passionate founders, a standout product, and a mobile, turnkey model that aligns perfectly with today’s consumer trends,” she said. “It’s scalable, eye-catching, and most importantly, it delivers joy in every bite.”
DonutNV’s low startup cost, flat royalty fee, and proven mobile model make it an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs. “Our franchisees aren’t stuck behind four walls, they’re in the community, building buzz and creating experiences,” Thormahlen noted. “Our support team is unmatched. We don’t just hand you a manual, we roll up our sleeves and build with you.”
Thormahlen’s personal mission is to make business ownership less intimidating and more achievable. “I want to help more people realize they don’t have to stay stuck in unfulfilling jobs. Instead, they can own something meaningful,” she said.
With her leadership, DonutNV is set to expand its footprint, offering entrepreneurs a chance to join a movement that blends profitability with community impact.
About DonutNV: DonutNV is a leading mobile food franchise, delivering fresh, made-to-order mini donuts, refreshing lemonades and coffee specialties to communities across the country. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and franchisee success, DonutNV continues to expand its footprint, creating exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs nationwide.
Media & Communications Team DonutNV Franchising Inc. +1 8333668868
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Tags: Kassia Thomahlen, Kassia Trumbull, Director of Franchise Development, DonutNV, DonutNV franchise, DonutNV franchise failures, DonutNV franchise turnover, Donut franchise, , Mobile Donut Franchise, Franchise Fastlane, Alex Gingold, Amanda Gingold, Jake Hamburger, Attorney Joe Ferris, Attorney Joseph Ferris, Attorney William C. Clements, Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP
