Our Franchise Team
A collective built to support your growth, not just your launch.
See & Be Kitchen isn’t just access to founders. Yes, you’ll learn from Chrissy and Ben, but more importantly, you’re stepping onto a team.
Behind every location are people who understand all of the moving parts and how this actually works—from product, operations, and systems to brand and growth. Not in theory, but from doing it themselves.
When something comes up (and, trust us, it will), you have the right people to think it through with you. To pressure test decisions. To help you dial in the details that matter day to day.
It’s not top-down advice, but rather from the ground up experience offered at the right moments, from people who’ve been there and done that.
Who Supports You
Chrissy Traore, Chief Executive Officer, CEO Business Training & Education, Brand, Marketing & Growth
Chrissy Traore is the CEO and Co-Founder of See & Be Kitchen, where she blends culinary expertise, business strategy, and community-driven leadership to shape the company’s growth and vision. She leads overall business development with a focus on expanding the brand through thoughtful franchise partnerships and market growth.
Before building See & Be Kitchen, Chrissy spent more than a decade working as a chef in New York City, developing a deep understanding of food, hospitality, and the power of meaningful dining experiences. Her background also includes extensive work in digital marketing strategy, giving her a unique ability to bridge creative culinary thinking with scalable business systems.
Throughout her career, Chrissy has launched entrepreneur and chef-in-training programs, helped develop an innovative tech-forward CSA distribution model serving communities across NYC, and remained deeply committed to education and mentorship. She currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Food Science at John Jay College, where she supports and inspires the next generation of food professionals.
Chrissy is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and has been recognized for her leadership and impact as a Woman of Excellence, earning induction into the Women Professionals Hall of Fame by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. She is also an active member of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Driven by purpose and long-term impact, Chrissy continues to help redefine what modern food entrepreneurship can look like — building a brand rooted in craft, accessibility, and meaningful community connection.
Ben Traore, Chief Bread Officer, CBO Culinary & Product Development, Production Training & Education
Ben Traore is the Co-Founder and Head of Bakery Operations at See & Be Kitchen, where he leads product development, production systems, and artisan baking training across the brand. With extensive experience in both fine dining and high-level bakery production, Ben brings a meticulous eye for detail and a deep respect for traditional sourdough craftsmanship.
Before co-founding See & Be Kitchen, Ben served as Head of Viennoiserie at Bien Cuit and later as Head Baker at Saraghina — two of NYC’s most respected artisan bakery programs. His expertise in fermentation, laminated doughs, and large-scale artisan production has helped shape the foundation of See & Be Kitchen’s product line and operational approach.
At See & Be Kitchen, Ben personally developed and launched the company’s signature Arborio and Croissant Bread products, both of which earned Gold Awards at the International Bread Expo. He is also an active member of the Bread Bakers Guild of America and a graduate of the organization’s Bakery Leadership Circle program.
Known for his uncompromising standards and commitment to quality, Ben has developed a production and training system that allows teams to learn artisan, production-scale baking efficiently — without relying on factory machinery or highly specialized equipment. His leadership continues to shape the company’s hands-on, craft-driven culture, with a focus on exceptional ingredients, repeatable systems, and true artisan tradecraft.
Teresa Lewis, Chief Operating Officer, COO Operations & Systems, Legal Compliance, Supply Chain & Partnerships
Teresa Lewis is the Legal & Operations Compliance Lead at See & Be Kitchen, where she brings together legal expertise, operational structure, and people-focused systems to support the company’s growing franchise model. With a strong foundation in psychology and criminal justice, she holds a Master’s in Legal Compliance from Albany Law School.
Teresa began her career within the New York State network, where she managed a multi-county caseload focused on compliance, oversight, and regulatory enforcement. Over nearly six years in that role, she developed a deep understanding of how strong systems and clear standards create both accountability and stability within complex organizations.
At See & Be Kitchen, Teresa leads HR operations and employee relations while ensuring the business remains aligned with evolving legal and regulatory requirements. Her compliance background has been key in building internal systems that reduce risk, support team development, and create a consistent, well-structured working environment.
As the company scales, she is also instrumental in designing operational frameworks that will support future franchisees—translating best practices into repeatable systems that can grow with the brand. Known for her clarity, structure, and steady leadership style, Teresa plays a critical role in ensuring See & Be Kitchen grows with integrity and operational excellence.
Built for Operators. Designed for Investors.
Our model works because it respects both sides of the business.
For operators, it’s hands-on. Clear systems, real guidance, and support where it counts, so you can focus on running a strong, consistent operation instead of running yourself ragged.
For investors, it’s confidence. Not just in the concept, but in the infrastructure behind it—the team, the process, and the discipline that drives winning performance over time.
From our very first conversation about starting franchises, we aimed to build a platform designed to scale with intention.
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