CC's Coffee House Franchise Leadership

Celton Hayden, Jr. serves as the president and CEO of CC's Coffee House. He joined CC’s as a store manager in 2001. Since then, he has held several positions while gaining more accountability for the leadership and strategic direction of the company. Practical, visionary, and servant are all words used to describe his steady leadership style. These achievements are evident in his successful leadership of the spin-off of CC’s from its former parent company, Community Coffee Company®, in 2013. He was appointed president at that time and became the company's CEO in February 2015.

A Dallas native and former student of Texas A&M University, Celton has over 35 years of experience in the retail and restaurant sectors. From his teen years as a grocery clerk to today as a CEO, his driving principle remains constant: to serve everyone better than anyone else. This became CC’s mission statement and represents the unyielding commitment to excellence that provides the foundation for its growth and success.
 

Mary Dixon has served as vice president of finance and administration at CC's Coffee House since 2014, where she oversees the company's financial operations, human resources, technology, and culinary innovation. With 37 years of industry experience, she has held transformative leadership roles, including chief financial officer at Nottoway Plantation & Resort and controller at Burtons Grill, based in Andover, Massachusetts, helping build the chef-driven concept from its beginning. Her executive experience includes managing development at Kelly's Roast Beef and serving as Director of Administration at Outback Steakhouse franchise for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.

Throughout her career, Mary has directly contributed to the successful launch of over 35 restaurant locations across eight states, demonstrating expertise in operations and finance that began with guest service roles at Chili's and Outback Steakhouse. A proud Baton Rouge native and resident, she balances her professional commitments with volunteer work and enjoys biking, hiking, gardening, cooking, traveling, and family time.

Sean Marlow serves as senior director of culinary and innovation at CC's Coffee House. He brings 26 years of experience with the company to his role, overseeing menu management, supply chain logistics, and green coffee procurement and roasting. Beginning as a store manager, he has held various leadership positions across operations, facility management, real estate, construction, training, and supply chain, developing comprehensive expertise in all aspects of the coffee industry. His extensive knowledge and adaptability have enabled him to make significant contributions across numerous departments throughout his career.

A graduate of Quincy University with a background in business administration, Sean's education, combined with his hands-on experience, provides the foundation for his current role in leading culinary innovation and strategic initiatives at CC’s. His deep understanding of operations and product development continues to drive the company's commitment to quality and innovation in the specialty coffee segment.

Gerald Lewis started with CC's Coffee House in 2014 as a general manager in the Lafayette market and joined the franchise team in 2024. A native of Southwest Louisiana, they have more than 10 years’ experience in management and QSR operational success. Before joining the franchise team, Gerald was involved in new store planning, training, and openings.

As a franchise business consultant, Gerald focuses on guiding owners/operators to CC’s goal of C.O.R.E. (Constant Operational Results Every Day). Gerald enthusiastically waits to introduce others to CC’s unique blend of guest service, coffee, and people on their journey to franchise ownership.

Jessica Andrus joined CC's Coffee House in 2012 as a barista while pursuing a degree in journalism from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she graduated in 2014. In 2016, Jessica transitioned into a marketing internship with CC’s, and her passion for the brand led to a full-time role in 2017 as a branding specialist.

Over the years, Jessica worked diligently to support and enhance the company’s brand presence, eventually earning the position of assistant brand manager. With a deep understanding of CC’s culture and a love for storytelling, Jessica continues to play a key role in shaping the company’s marketing strategies.

With over seven years of experience at CC's Coffee House, Elizabeth Panzica has a track record in optimizing profits through innovative in-field marketing programs and special events. As a key player in the marketing team, she collaborates closely with the marketing manager to create engaging tactics that foster community relationships in CC's operational markets. Elizabeth is passionate about community engagement and social responsibility, exemplified through her leadership of initiatives like Campus Clean Up, Grounds for Growth™, and Chords for Kids™.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA, Elizabeth has deep family roots and a strong desire to serve the communities around her. She began her journey at CC's as an administrative assistant, progressing to office manager, where her commitment to service has always shone through. Her exceptional communication, networking, and organizational skills have significantly impacted CC's commitment to giving back to the communities we serve.