Super Mom, Super Franchisee

Cassie Gerety started as a Domino’s delivery driver in 1995 when she was a high school senior. She became a general manager a year later, working her way up to win Rookie Manager of the Year in 1996 and Manager of the Year in 1997. During this time, she gave birth to her son, Bryce, who was born March 4, 1997.

Unfortunately, Bryce was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy found in babies and children, just six months after he was born. Bryce never went a day without seizures, and he was left severally mentally handicapped, unable to speak or walk.

Despite this, Cassie continued to set records and was promoted to manage a higher-volume store. She gave birth to her daughter, Renee, in 1999. Cassie continued work as a general manager until she was promoted to supervisor of seven stores in late 2001, just five months after she had her third child, Lyn.

Instead of slowing down, she continued to pick up the pace in her career. Cassie said her drive to move up the Domino’s ranks came from her children, especially Bryce.

“I had a handicapped child and two others,” Cassie said. “I was dedicated to making Bryce’s life better. He’s the reason I was as strong as I was to handle what was being thrown at me. I wanted a better life for all of them.”

She began to consider franchising but hadn’t found the right opportunity. In 2004, Cassie seized her chance to start her franchising journey.

“I finally found a store to purchase as minority owner in Sweetwater, Texas,” Cassie said. “I still worked as supervisor for the seven stores under Elite Team LP, while proving myself as a good owner and that I could turn this store around and make a profit.”

Cassie did just that and continued to build and purchase stores with Jim Gerety as the franchise owner. She went through Franchise Management School and worked with Jim on expanding Domino’s footprint in Texas. After years of working together, Jim and Cassie fell in love and they married in 2008.

In 2013, Bryce passed away after a lifetime battle with his health. Cassie and Jim delayed the opening of their store in Seminole, Texas, to January 2014, which set a U.S. opening record at $82,000. They continued to battle for the opening week record until October 2018, when Cassie and her team set the current record in Pecos, Texas with $150,000.

On March 4, 2019, Cassie’s dream of franchising finally came true. The date holds incredible significance as it would have been Bryce’s 22nd birthday. Currently, Cassie owns 10 stores in Texas as Sweet Pizza LLC. The business is a family affair, as her two daughters, Renee and Lyn, also work in her stores.

“I want to inspire others and show other women that it can be done, no matter what the obstacle,” Cassie said. “There are no excuses, just solutions. And when you fail, take a deep breath, dust yourself off, and try again. Always remember you must experience failure to experience success!”

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