Franchise Services of North America Inc. (TSXV-FSN) announced that Thomas H. McNeely has agreed to stand for nomination to the company’s board of directors at the annual meeting to be held March 26, 2009 in Toronto.

McNeely will stand for election in the place of Stephen J. Mallory, who has withdrawn his nomination for personal reasons.

From 2003 to 2007, McNeely was president and CEO of Herbal Magic LLC. Before that, he was employed by the Tim Hortons group of companies, most recently as executive vice president and CFO. Prior to that, McNeely served as vice president and Corporate Controller at Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and spent several years as an external auditor with PriceWaterhouse LLP's Toronto office.

McNeely’s appointment as a director of the company is subject to TSXV approval.

At the meeting, shareholders will be asked to elect the directors of the company for the ensuing year, ratify the appointment of the company’s auditors, consider a resolution reconfirming and approving the company’s stock option plan, and the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

If elected by shareholders at the meeting, it is intended that McNeely would be nominated to the company’s audit and compensation committees.

As stated in the company’s management information circular, if, prior to the meeting, any vacancies occur in the slate of proposed nominees, the persons named in the form of proxy intend to vote for the election of any substitute nominee or nominees recommended by management and for the remaining proposed nominees. McNeely constitutes a substitute nominee for this purpose.

“We are extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to stand for nomination as a director. His background in finance and his managerial experience will be a valuable resource to the Board and the management of the company,” said Bob Barton, COO, Franchise Services of North America Inc.