Food Service Development and Operations Leader
Career Summary
A highly accomplished and growth-oriented executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in franchise operations, foodservice, and retail business development. He has consistently delivered impactful business turnarounds, record-breaking growth, and operational transformation across multi-state organizations. His unique career includes executive roles with national brands, franchise consulting, proprietary concept development, and ownership experience in both corporate and independent settings. Known for combining strategic planning, team empowerment, and performance analytics to drive sustainable profitability.
Core Functions of the Positions He’s Held
- Directed operations for 60+ locations across five states, including QSR, C-store, grocery, hotel, and RV properties
- Led non-traditional business development efforts in airports, universities, stadiums, and travel centers
- Managed licensee and franchisee recruitment, application processing, and pipeline reporting
- Developed three proprietary restaurant brands, overseeing branding, kitchen layout, equipment procurement, and menu development
- Created tools for daily tracking of labor, food cost, and sales performance in markets lacking integration
- Oversaw national account negotiations, retail site design, new store openings, and remodel strategies
- Led cross-functional alignment across HR, training, marketing, legal, and operations
Industries Worked In
- Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR) – corporate and franchised models
- Retail fuel and convenience stores
- Fast-casual dining and national franchise concepts
- Hospitality and lodging (RV parks and motels)
- Grocery and retail foodservice
- Franchise consulting and non-traditional venue development (e.g., stadiums, campuses, travel centers)
Management Skills
- Led teams of up to 25 direct reports and supported over 1,000 indirect team members
- Developed new market territories, implemented performance systems, and optimized field structures
- Served as liaison between ownership and field teams, aligning business objectives and execution
- Mentored and coached multi-unit operators and franchisees on P&L analysis, operations, and customer experience
- Built tools and dashboards for live performance tracking and real-time business coaching
- Delivered performance turnarounds by installing shift-level tracking, data-driven decision-making, and team culture improvements
Core Competencies
- Franchise and licensee development
- Turnaround and transformation leadership
- Multi-unit field operations and KPI systems
- Menu development, culinary R&D, and proprietary brand creation
- Strategic planning, budgeting, and P&L accountability
- New unit construction, remodel design, and equipment procurement
- Relationship building, stakeholder alignment, and negotiation
Business Building and Growth Successes
- Turned around a 150-unit region from a $100K/period loss to $300K+/quarter profit within 6–9 months
- Created and launched 3 original QSR brands, replacing legacy units with proprietary concepts to grow margin and reduce dependency
- Exceeded annual non-traditional unit development goals by 35%, including partnerships with major national venues
- Delivered 18% EBITDA improvement by uncovering $400K in unaccounted losses and restructuring field teams
- Increased franchisee engagement through data-driven coaching, reversing comp sales trends from -2.3% to +5% in 6 months
- Supported 45+ new store openings, creating scalable project management and onboarding systems for franchisee success
What Type of Role Would Be of Interest
He is seeking an executive-level opportunity in operations, development, or transformation leadership. Ideal roles include SVP/VP of Operations, Head of Foodservice or Retail, or CEO of a growth-stage or private equity-backed portfolio brand. He excels in environments requiring turnaround expertise, multi-unit scale, or franchisor-franchisee collaboration. He also welcomes strategic development or startup roles where he can design and implement systems for growth, profitability, and team engagement.
Preferred Locations
He is open to relocation within warm-weather regions, with a strong preference for Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin), Florida, and the Carolinas. He values family proximity and climate considerations but is flexible for the right strategic role.
Compensation Expectations
He is targeting a total compensation package of $195K, inclusive of base and performance incentives. He is accustomed to managing large-scale operations and understands the value of performance-linked compensation. He is open to travel up to 75% and typically provides four weeks’ notice to his current employer.
