Landers & Partners

What Landers & Partners does

Landers & Partners is a privately held, independently owned full-service advertising agency founded in 1977 and headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. The firm delivers integrated marketing services — marketing strategy development, cross-platform media planning and buying (TV, radio, print, online, direct mail, outdoor, social, mobile), market research, graphic design, event representation, partnership/sponsorship negotiation, and franchise development — primarily to franchise brands, their corporate parents, and their local franchisees. Its core specialization is managing the tension between national brand consistency and local market activation through local co-op advertising programs, with a stated emphasis on the restaurant/food-service franchise vertical (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, IHOP, Arby's, Blaze Pizza, Bojangles, Long John Silver's, Momma Goldberg's Deli, Gigi's Cupcakes), plus adjacent franchises such as European Wax Center and non-profit clients including Boy Scouts of America.

The business operates as a professional services firm with 11–50 employees, generating revenue through project-based fees, retainer arrangements, and campaign execution. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting franchise organizations and national brands, supported by long-tenured sports and media sponsorship partnerships (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN, NY Mets, NY Giants, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, multiple universities) and supplier relationships with beverage and CPG brands (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper, Frito-Lay, Campbell's) that enable co-branded promotional opportunities and rebate capture for franchise clients. The technology stack is traditional — there is no proprietary software, AI/ML capability, SDK, or API offering disclosed; value delivery rests on human expertise, agency-of-record relationships, and execution across established media channels.

Operationally, the firm blends "large agency resources" with the flexibility of a smaller team, a positioning reinforced by multi-decade client testimonials from executives at Taco Bell, Pacific Bells, Momma Goldberg's Deli, and JEM Restaurants. Leadership comprises President Michelle Darr (Purdue graduate, ex-sports-industry marketing director), Director of Media Services Jenna Pullaro (ex-Yum Brands), Creative Director Jennifer Meadows (Addy Award winner, joined 2003), and Mid-West Account Management Director Will Starks. There are no funding rounds, acquisitions, subsidiaries, or public-market events in the record; the firm is bootstrapped, owner-operated, and has maintained continuous operation for 47 years with geographic reach concentrated in the Southeast US and expanding into the Mid-West.

Name

Landers & Partners

Legal name

Landers & Partners

Website

https://landersandpartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Landers & Partners is a privately held, independently owned full-service advertising agency founded in 1977 and headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, serving franchise brands, national brands, and local franchisees — primarily in the restaurant/food-service vertical — with integrated marketing strategy, cross-platform media buying, creative, and co-op management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Marketing Services: Full-service advertising agency providing marketing strategy, media planning and buying, creative services, and campaign execution to franchise clients, national brands, and local co-ops. Revenue generated through professional service fees, retainer arrangements, and project-based campaign work.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Landers & Partners is a full-service advertising agency that delivers integrated marketing strategy, media planning and buying, creative/graphic design, and local co-op advertising management primarily for franchise brands, national brands, and local co-ops (notably QSR and food-service clients such as Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and IHOP). Services span TV, radio, print, online, direct mail, outdoor, social and mobile channels, supported by market research, franchise development campaigns, sponsorship negotiation, and event representation. The agency combines the resources of a large firm with the flexibility and hands-on service of a smaller, independently owned operation.

Product overview

Landers & Partners is a full-service advertising agency offering a unified suite of marketing and advertising services rather than a modular software product. The company provides integrated services including marketing strategy development, local co-ops management, market research, event representation, cross-platform media services (TV, Radio, Print, Online, Direct Mail, Outdoor, Social, Mobile), partnerships and sponsorships, graphic design, and franchise development. These services work together to serve franchise clients and national brands with both large agency resources and the flexibility of hands-on service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marketing Strategy Development Establishes media goals, objectives, well-defined target audiences, and media tactics to guide client marketing efforts; foundation service for franchise and brand clients.
• Local Co-Ops Management Provides consistent reliable support and stewardship, comprehensive financial reporting, structured purposeful meetings, and A-Z communications for franchise and co-op advertising programs.
• Market Research Identifies tools to gather intelligence on top competitors, measure brand performance, understand consumer opinions, and study industry trends to inform client campaigns.
• Recognition and Event Representation Event planning services to celebrate, reward, and recognize brand and local initiatives for client organizations.
• Cross-Platform Media Services Media planning, buying, and posting across TV, Radio, Print, Online, Direct Mail, Outdoor, Social and Mobile platforms for client advertising campaigns.
• Partnerships and Sponsorships Explores and negotiates sponsorships that differentiate brands with relevance, leveraging relationships with sports teams, theme parks, and charities to build client visibility.
• Graphic Design Award-winning in-house design department that fulfills and brings creative ideas to life for advertising and marketing materials across channels.
• Franchise Development Direction and campaign development to generate awareness and lead follow-up for franchise organizations seeking to grow their franchisee base.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% increase in job applicants for Taco Bell franchisees through recruitment campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tampa Bay BuccaneerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1977Sports team partnership for promotional campaigns and community marketing initiatives spanning over 41 years of relationship building.
• ESPNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partnership for sports-related promotional opportunities and brand visibility across sports audiences.
• University of Florida (Gators)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity athletics sponsorship partnership for community engagement and promotional activities.
• NY MetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor league baseball team partnership for regional promotional campaigns and sponsorships.
• New York GiantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL team partnership for promotional and community marketing initiatives.
• Cleveland BrownscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL team partnership for regional promotional campaigns.
• Buffalo BillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL team partnership for community and promotional marketing.
• Purdue UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity athletics sponsorship for collegiate marketing and brand visibility.
• Iowa State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity athletics partnership for promotional activities and community engagement.
• Michigan State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity athletics sponsorship partnership.
• Dr PepperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage brand supplier partnership for promotional and advertising opportunities, maximizing rebates for promotional activities.
• Coca-ColaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage brand supplier partnership for promotional campaigns and advertising opportunities.
• PepsiCominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage and snack brand supplier partnership for promotional opportunities and rebates.
• Frito-LayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnack brand supplier partnership for promotional and advertising opportunities.
• Campbell'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood brand supplier partnership for promotional and product placement opportunities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• LRXD: Denver-based independent advertising agency with category experience in restaurant and franchise marketing. Comparable to Landers & Partners in independent structure, franchise vertical exposure, and similar mid-market full-service positioning.
• Tombras: Knoxville, Tennessee-based independent full-service advertising agency serving regional and national clients. Comparable to Landers & Partners in independent ownership structure, full-service offerings across media/creative/strategy, and similar mid-market scale.
• McGarrah Jessee: Dallas-based independent advertising agency with deep restaurant and franchise category experience (Whataburger and other regional brands). Comparable to Landers & Partners in independent ownership, full-service model, and franchise vertical specialization at similar mid-market scale.
• Barkley: Kansas City-based independent advertising agency providing full-service marketing across multiple categories including QSR and consumer brands. Comparable to Landers & Partners in independent ownership, full-service model, regional roots with national client reach, and similar agency scale.
• Zimmerman Advertising: Fort Lauderdale-based advertising agency specializing in franchise marketing for QSR and restaurant brands including Wendy's, Papa John's, and other franchise systems. Directly comparable to Landers & Partners in vertical focus (restaurant franchise), Florida presence, and similar agency scale.
• Bernstein-Rein: Kansas City-based independent advertising agency historically recognized as a leader in franchise marketing (long-time McDonald's agency of record). Directly comparable to Landers & Partners in deep franchise specialization, independent ownership model, and mid-market full-service positioning.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/landerspartners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Landers & Partners