Experience

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  Uno Chicago Grill

  • Senior VP - Marketing

    • Jul 2006 - May 2013

    Managed the Marketing Department that included an in-house Creative Agency responsible for concept design and merchandisingWas responsible for brand management & evolution of Uno Chicago Grill brand identity, helped in the creation of and directed brand management of Uno Due Go, the company's fast growing fast casual concept. Excellent presentation and business skills.

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  Link Inc

  • President & Chief Experience Officer

    • Jan 1999 - Jul 2006

    •Spoke on branding & marketing throughout North America to corporations, Convention & Tourist Bureaus & associations as diverse as the Association of Independent CPA’s, The Alaska Travel Industry Association and The Bowling Proprietors of America on topics such as:• How to WOW• Wall-to-Wall Marketing: 10 GEMS To Build a Remarkable Retail Brand Experience• Taking Your Show on the Road: Neighborhood Marketing Strategies in the Experience Era• Being Remarkable: Performance Branding in the Experience Era•Provided research and consulting services to companies and Industry Associations in their efforts to better position their respective brands. This has included over 15 separate research studies, including assessing the market potential of a major international casual pizza concept for an private investment group •Published on a regular basis articles in 30 different retail, hospitality, association, educational and foodservice industry publications on branding, trends, experiential marketing and exceptional guest service. I am a well regarded expert on brand and marketing issues from whom columnists and reporters seek opinionsIncreased same store sales a 60+ unit Arby’s Franchisee, of 4.1% in FY 2002, 3% in FY 2003 and 4% in FY 2004 when parent saw declining sales

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  Daka International

  • Senior VP - Marketing

    • May 1990 - Dec 1998

    As Senior Vice President of Marketing • Crafted and executed a Strategic Marketing Plan for Fuddruckers that transitioned the brand from a coupon driven commodity battling with fast food for market share to an consumer defined & driven 'World's Best Hamburger' Experience• Crafted and executed a Strategic Brand Marketing Plan for Fuddruckers that increased: Comparable real same store sales six straight years Income from restaurants grew from 6.7% to 12.9% Unit volume increased an average of $250,000 Unit growth increased from 33 to 98 units Income from Franchise Operations grew 14%•Defined, developed and managed the ‘evolutionary’ Fudd 66 positioning strategy which initiated menu expansion and building remodel attractive to the guests, profitable to the company and cost effective for the Franchise Community Developed and taught an affordable “ neighborhood marketing strategy” to Fuddrucker's company managers and franchisees, combining targeted local marketing and a focus on leveraging marketing opportunities within “the 4 Walls” of each restaurantFor Daka International •Developed and Managed the first ever Daka Client Retention Program  •Conceived, developed, branded and managed of initial operation of 6 ‘Adult Quick-Casual’ concepts for use in food courts & other retail spaces. In over 35 locations, their average volume per unit was $350,000 •Identified the market potential and developed French Quarter Coffee Company as a multi-channel brand, including 700 outlets nationwide with 300 carts and kiosks and several full service Cafes•Conducted the strategic research and created the differentiated position of “Daka Restaurants” in the undifferentiated contract foodservice arena