Jackson Hewitt® Appoints David Prokupek as CEO

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., a national leader in full service paid tax preparation and related financial services with approximately 6,400 locations, more than 650 franchise partners and more than $500 million in system-wide sales announced today that David Prokupek has been appointed president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Prokupek has a proven track record of successfully leading financial services and consumer growth companies most recently serving as Chairman and CEO of Smashburger, which is broadly credited with being the leading fast casual brand in "better burgers" based on its award winning food, innovative business model, franchisee relations and highly engaged consumers. During Mr. Prokupek's six-year tenure, Smashburger received numerous business and consumer accolades including Forbes No. 1 Most Promising Company, the Inc. 500|5000 list of fastest growing private companies, Technomics's #1 Social Media Brand, and numerous "top" franchisor awards. In addition, Mr. Prokupek served as chief investment officer and managing partner of Consumer Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on liquid market strategies as well as direct private equity investments in startup and emerging growth consumer companies.

Previously Mr. Prokupek served as chief executive officer and founder of Geronimo Partners, an investment and wealth management firm, and was chief executive officer of Tucker Anthony Sutro Capital Markets, which he helped lead and transform into a national private client, asset management, wealth management, and institutional capital markets adviser. Mr. Prokupek received a bachelor's in finance and marketing from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management with concentrations in marketing and finance.

"We are delighted to welcome Dave to Jackson Hewitt^® and are excited about the deep franchise and corporate leadership experience that he will bring to the Company," said Carl Kelley, President of the Jackson Hewitt Franchise Council. "Dave is a highly experienced executive with a reputation for building 'challenger' consumer and financial service brands. He comes to Jackson Hewitt with an impressive track record of driving revenue acceleration and innovation in branding, customer engagement and loyalty, franchise relations and business optimization."

"I am proud to join Jackson Hewitt and look forward to working with the corporate team, franchise partners and Bayside Capital to help accelerate the Company's growth by building on Jackson Hewitt's strong brand, established national footprint and award winning business model," said Mr. Prokupek.  "Jackson Hewitt provides franchisees with a proven system for starting, managing and growing an income tax preparation business and a strong platform to build a modern consumer tax and financial services business. The increasing complexity of tax returns, the advent of healthcare reform and the need for better financial services for under-banked consumers provide multiple growth opportunities for Jackson Hewitt and our franchise partners."   

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. 
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is the #2 provider of full service paid federal and state tax preparation and related financial service products delivered through approximately 6,400 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including locations in Walmart and Sears stores across the United States. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service also offers an online tax preparation product at www.JacksonHewittOnline.com. For more information, or to locate your neighborhood Jackson Hewitt office, visit www.JacksonHewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact 
Phil Denning 
646-277-1258

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.