Based in Houston, Texas, Liz Townsend is part of Allen Austin's rapidly growing Leadership Advisory segment. Liz specializes in Consumer Goods and Services, with an emphasis on Health, Fitness, and Restaurant brands.

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Prior to joining Allen Austin, Liz spent thirteen years as a P&L operator with 24 Hour Fitness during its period of exponential growth and acquisitions, helped accelerate the fast-growing start-up My Fit Foods to a $100 million valuation, and served as owner/operator of Houston local brands Brown Bag Deli and Lou Lou’s Beignets.

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Liz began her career in personal training while pursuing her degree at Blinn College and the University of North Texas. She quickly found a home on the “preventive side” of healthcare as an Exercise Physiologist at Gold’s Gym. After Gold’s Gym was acquired by 24 Hour Fitness in 1997, she was given the opportunity to start the in-house personal training program for the Central Division of 24 Hour Fitness.

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She quickly grew in that role, using a people, product, process, profit system that enabled her to lead and teach a team of 1,200 trainers and district leaders. The rapid growth and change during her tenure at 24 Hour Fitness created the opportunity to learn every aspect of business and people management, ultimately leading to her becoming a Regional Vice President and P&L operator for the Houston and Austin territory.

After the sale of 24 Hour Fitness in 2008, she began business consulting and quickly found her next venture.

 

In 2008, Liz teamed up with entrepreneurs Mario Mendias and Anthony Milton to develop and grow a healthy fast-food concept aimed at addressing the growing obesity epidemic. Liz joined the company full time and was responsible for all aspects of company sales and operations, ultimately growing the company from 5 to 75 locations in four years while achieving high honors, including the “Best Places to Work” by the Houston Chronicle and the “Top Marketer” Award by the American Marketing Association.

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She recruited and developed a team that implemented all aspects of the company's structure, including store and kitchen standard operating procedures, new menu design, marketing and promotions, PR and media, Human Resources, Learning and Development, and Corporate Wellness. After attracting the attention of major companies such as HEB and Cigna Healthcare, My Fit Foods was sold to TSG in 2013.

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After the sale of My Fit Foods, Liz wanted to learn all aspects of small business, including owning and operating the local sandwich chain Brown Bag Deli and creating and opening Lou Lou’s Beignets. During this time, Liz gained firsthand knowledge, “sitting in every seat” of the business. Liz sold the company to a Houston local in 2019.

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Most recently, Liz worked with the holding company Tilted Concepts and its growing brands, including Tune Up-The Manly Salon, Balanced Foods, and Martini’s & Manicures, resulting in a 19% increase in Average Unit volume, a 27% increase in top-line revenue, and overall streamlining of the company structure over the last year. Liz is a certified coach and speaker with John C. Maxwell and served on his team that launched leadership training for the Guatemalan government and key business segments in 2013.

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Liz is passionate about people and the impact great leadership has on building high-performance teams and brands.

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