Daren Hawthorne is the President of Black Box Franchising. He is a respected leader in franchising, corporate law, and business strategy. Daren also serves as President of the Franchising Division at Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurants, the largest Black-owned franchisor in the U.S., with $210 million in annual sales.

A serial entrepreneur, he owns businesses globally and actively invests in real estate and other ventures. Daren was selected as an expert mentor on the Emmy-nominated series Small Business Revolution, where he guided a business through the process of becoming a franchise.

Daren Hawthorne, Esq., CFE has a wealth of diverse work experience. Daren served as President & General Counsel, Restaurants at Golden Krust, where they oversaw franchising, in-house and outside counsel, and the company's litigation portfolio. Daren also held the role of Executive Vice President of Franchising & Corporate Counsel at the same company, providing legal oversight for various divisions and managing labor and employment cases. Prior to their time at Golden Krust, Daren worked as Corporate Counsel, where they handled corporate governance procedures and litigated intellectual property cases. Additionally, they worked as Of Counsel at Brian Ponder, LLP Trial Lawyers, where they provided legal support. Earlier in their career, Daren held various legal intern and law clerk positions at organizations such as the Southern University Law Center, The Shaw Group, Westchester County, NY District Attorney's Office, Law Office of David Benowitz, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Westchester County Supreme Court, and Corbally, Gartland and Rappleyea, LLP.

 

 

He is deeply passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented communities, and is committed to helping them scale through proven strategies, strong franchise systems, and smart business development. A valedictorian law school graduate, Daren earned the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and serves on multiple Boards of Directors, using his expertise to drive economic empowerment and community growth.