Blair Chancey
Editor
QSR
As QSR’s editor, Blair Chancey oversees the editorial direction of both the print magazine and its accompanying Web site, QSRmagazine.com, ensuring both bring balanced and original news to industry insiders. From Howard Schultz to the Commissioner of the FDA, Blair’s exclusive interviews have brought unrivaled industry access to QSR readers since she joined the team in 2007. In addition to her leadership at QSR, she also sits on the board of the International Foodservice Editorial Council and the National Restaurant Association’s Faces of Diversity panel.
José J. Cofiño
CEO and Co-Founder
Desert West Ventures
José J. Cofiño recently returned to the entrepreneurial world as CEO and co-founder of Desert West Ventures, a Los Angeles–based consultancy and investor in emerging entertainment, hospitality, and food and beverage companies. He previously served as president and COO of ADIR Restaurants Corporation, the master franchise for Pollo Campero in six western states. Prior to that Cofiño was owner of management and investment firm TruCo, LLC and CEO of entertainment industry software and Web site developers Fresh Ground Software, LLC and Counterpoint Systems, Inc. In addition, he served as vice president of Disneyland Resort, president of PepsiCo Restaurants International in Brazil, and held several executive positions at the Taco Bell division of PepsiCo. He serves on the boards of directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the IFA’s Diversity Institute. Cofiño was born in La Habana, Cuba, raised in Mexico City, and immigrated into the U.S. in 1968. He earned a BS in international economics from Georgetown University and an MBA from Stanford University.
Kenneth Cutshaw
EVP, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer
Cajun Operating Company – Church’s Chicken
Ken Cutshaw manages the legal affairs, government relations, and global expansion of Church’s Chicken and Texas Chicken, recognized brands in the quick-service sector with 1,700 locations in 22 countries and system sales of $1.3 billion. Cutshaw was formerly a partner with Holland & Knight, LLP, a global law firm focusing on global business transactions. Cutshaw co-founded Cheers Funeatery; Red, Hot & Blue; and Let’s Go Back, LLC, the first franchisee of Flying Biscuit restaurants in Atlanta. Mr. Cutshaw served as honorary consul for India in the United States and on several India chambers and groups. He is a co-founder and owner of Georgian American University (founded 2004 in Tbilisi, Georgia). He has served as an adjunct professor at Emory University, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University, teaching global business to graduate students. He has consulted with the Bureau of International Expositions, a treaty organization in Paris responsible for sanctioning World Expositions, and served on the Bush Administration Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. In 1985, Cutshaw accepted a political appointment to serve six years with the Administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush at the U.S. Commerce Department in various international trade positions involving export/import regulatory programs. Mr. Cutshaw served as deputy and acting assistant secretary overseeing and managing the Export Enforcement program of the Commerce Department. Mr. Cutshaw served as senior counsel for The 1982 World’s Fair, senior attorney for the Tennessee Legislature, manager of a U.S. Senate campaign, and assistant in a Tennessee District Attorney General office. Cutshaw is co-author of Doing Business in China, Doing Business in India, and Doing Business in Russia and writes a monthly column for the Association of Corporate Counsel magazine. Cutshaw received a Master of Laws international studies degree from American University, a J.D. in business law from The University of Tennessee, and a B.A. in public administration from The University of Tennessee. Cutshaw is married to Diane Dracos Cutshaw, president of Family Wealth Services LLC. They have three children and reside in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tad Dolbier
President
Tar Heel Capital
As one of the largest Wendy’s franchisees in the country, Tar Heel Capital operates 78 units throughout North and South Carolina. Tad Dolbier joined the company in 1980 as an assistant manager in training when the company had 6 stores. In his 24 years of service he has served as general manager, district manager, training and HR director, area director, director of operations, and vice president before being appointed president. Formed in 1977, Tar Heel Capital has been awarded top honors within the Wendy’s system with such recognition as the Wendy Award, Founders Award, and Wendy’s Hall of Fame.
Don Fox
CEO
Firehouse of America, LLC
A 30-year restaurant industry veteran, Don joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 and quickly rose to the rank of CEO. He oversees Firehouse of America, a subsidiary created to manage franchisee operations for the company. He is the liaison between Firehouse Subs and its franchise community and wears many hats. Don is known for his forward-thinking attitude and sharp management skills. He is also a musician and a published author, having written Patton’s Vanguard, an in-depth study of the 4th Armored Division during WWII. Don is married with three children.
Steve Hammel
Dining Services Program Manager
U.S. Navy
As dining service program manager for Navy Region Southwest, Steve Hammel is responsible for 13 galleys and 50 on-base food and beverage operations throughout the six-state region. During his tenure he has developed a retail environment for each of his operations. The creation of several loyalty card programs and a focus on mentoring are keys to success of one of the largest self-operated foodservice operations in the country. Hammel has over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including hotels such as Marriott, Hyatt, Playboy, and Radisson; B&I; senior dining; theme parks; and retail coffee shops. He developed food and beverage operations for Disneyland’s California Adventure and has been responsible for retail quality assurance and field operations for Starbucks Coffee Company. Hammel has twice been presented with the Society for Foodservice Management President’s Award and received the 2008 IFMA Silver Plate Award in the Specialty Foodservice category. Hammel graduated from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas with a degree in hotel administration.
Aziz Hashim
President and CEO
National Restaurant Development, LLC
As president and CEO of Atlanta-based National Restaurant Development (NRD), LLC, Aziz Hashim manages a vertically integrated group of companies in the quick-service restaurant sector he founded with a single store in 1996. The NRD portfolio includes KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Subway, Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, and Moe’s Southwest Grill. He is also managing member of Cordoba Property Group, LLC, a real estate investment company with a diversified portfolio of assets. Prior to focusing on restaurant franchises, Hashim was founding president and CEO of Platinum Federal Credit Union. He serves on the franchise advisory council for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants and on the advisory board for the Atlanta region of BB&T. Mr. Hashim holds a BS in electrical engineering from the University of California-Irvine.
John Huffman
Chief Operations Officer
Biscuitville, Inc.
Biscuitville is a family-owned company based in Greensboro, North Carolina, whose motto is "Fresh Biscuits. Friendly Folks." The first Biscuitville location opened in 1975 and has fifty-seven restaurants in North Carolina and virginia as the company continues to grow. Shortly after graduating from N.C. State University in 1975 with a degree in economics and business, John’s Biscuitville journey began. John joined the Biscuitville family in operations with the opening of the second stand-alone Biscuitville. John has led the operations division of the company as senior regional supervisor, district supervisor, director of operations, and currently as chief operations officer. In addition to operations, John has had integral involvement in many areas of the organization including training, construction, real estate development, repairs and maintenance, human resources, and marketing. John and his wife reside in Cary, North Carolina, and have three sons and four grandchildren.
Lattimore Michael
President
Michael’s Enterprises, Inc.
Lattie Michael founded, co-owned, and operated Back Yard Burgers before the company was sold to a private equity group in November 2007. Founded in March 1987 in Cleveland, Mississippi, Back Yard Burgers grew to 177 restaurants at the time of acquisition. Currently, he owns and operates Michael’s Enterprises, Inc. He is also involved in a bistro restaurant with one of fifty Master Chefs in North America, a motel, and various real estate investments. In addition, he is affiliated with numerous local and national charities, including the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, Memphis East Rotary Club, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Larry Reinstein
President and CEO
Fresh City
Larry Reinstein is president and CEO of Fresh City, a successful and fast-growing multi-concept restaurant company that includes fast-casual chain Fresh City. Founded in 1997 Fresh City has evolved through strategic branding, including the institution of a new community-centered marketing campaign, the implementation of cutting-edge training programs, and the development of over 70 unique fusion-based menu items. Fresh City offers a wide assortment of freshly made-to-order menu items, including salads, wraps, Asian noodle and stir-fry dishes, and smoothies in a comfortably sophisticated, yet energized, atmosphere.
Mary Roszel
Founder and VP Development
Biggby Coffee
Mary Roszel co-founded BIGGBY Coffee, a Michigan-based franchise company that now has more than 100 cafes in the Midwest. The first BIGGBY Coffee opened in March 1995, followed by a second one in November 1997. Today Mary provides leadership in the company and participates in the design and buildout of new stores. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1988 with a degree in Hospitality Business. While attending classes she worked for a breakfast concept, and later, with a partner, opened a store for that concept, which became the most successful store in the chain. In January 1994, they sold that store and began to develop the concept for BIGGBY Coffee. Mary grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in 1974 moved to East Lansing, Michigan, with her two children to begin her college career. She received a paralegal degree from Lansing Community College and worked for the Michigan Supreme Court for 13 years. In 1987, after her children had finished school, she began her studies at MSU. In addition to the Dine America Advisory Board, she is also a member of the board for Michigan Small Business Technical Development Center; the Entrepreneurship Advisory Council for the MSU School of Business; and Ele’s Place, a local organization that helps grieving children and their families. She also enjoys travel and many other activities including art, wine, and walking.
Chuck Winship
CEO
Beef O’Brady’s
Chuck Winship is a founder and the CEO of Family Sports Concepts, Inc., the franchisor of Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pubs. Chuck and his two partners incorporated Family Sports Concepts in 1998 to expand Beef O’Brady’s from 30 to more than 260 locations today. Prior to joining Family Sports Concepts, Chuck held several positions, including president and CFO of Sunstate Ventures, a Chili’s franchisee organized in the Southeast in 1984. He also worked within S&A Corporation, a subsidiary of Pillsbury, as a financial analyst and manager of financial planning. He received his BA from Yale University in 1978 and pursued business studies at the University of Texas Graduate School of Business. Chuck is married with two children and is an avid pilot.