Expert Details
QSR/Restaurant Development, Strategy, Real Estate; International
ID: 737021
California, USA
Before joining this QSR, Ms. Expert spent over seven years at Panda Restaurant Group as Chief Development Officer and Vice President of Development overseeing Real Estate, Design, Construction, Facilities, and Strategic Sourcing. Before joining Panda Restaurant Group, Ms. Expert spent over ten years with Arby’s and Wendy’s Arby’s Group in various leadership positions in Development. Ms. Expert started her career in luxury hospitality, designing high-profile palaces & mosques in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Ms. Expert has experience leading initiatives for various fast-casual, full-service, and quick-service brands operating in major markets worldwide. Her background uniquely combines experience in interior design, architecture, real estate, construction, facilities, sourcing, and asset management. This allows her to craft winning strategic plans, right geographic and market development plans to deliver the results to shareholders.
Ms. Expert holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree in Interior design from the School of Planning & Architecture, American Intercontinental University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. In 2018, Ms. Expert completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, an intensive program that creates transformational leaders capable of tackling an organization’s toughest challenges. Ms. Expert was honored with the Exceptional Women Awardee award; serves on the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Board of Trustees. Ms. Expert also serves on the Board of Directors of Diamond Rock Hospitality Company, a publicly-traded self-advised Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and is involved in non-profit work with GLEAM Network. GLEAM is a Global Leadership Enhancement and Mentorship Network serving underrepresented and underserved professionals in the foodservice industry.
As a globally versed executive, Ms. Expert is active with The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and currently pursuing certification as a corporate director.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2018 | Degree: Advanced Management Program | Subject: Business | Institution: Harvard Business School |
| Year: 2002 | Degree: Master of Fine Art | Subject: Architecture | Institution: Savannah College of Art and Design |
| Year: 1999 | Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts | Subject: Interior Design | Institution: American Intercontinental University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2018 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Chief Development Officer | Department: Development |
Responsibilities: Brought on board to play a key role in turnaround strategy and restore dedication to innovation and customer confidence in the brand. Oversee global real estate, construction, design, and contract administration functions to support the financial and brand performance of restaurants worldwide. Develop a holistic restaurant portfolio strategy for the U.S & Canada Develop systems and processes to optimize existing restaurant portfolio by executing digital forward conversions and drive the brand's growth byinnovating on flexible restaurant footprints. Direct all aspects of real estate development strategy and contract administration, including site selection, leasing, lease administration and property management. Strategize and lead global execution of digital revenue-generating initiatives in existing and new restaurants and grow the digital business. Oversee the Center (undisclosed) to ensure the restaurants reflect the renowned brand image and provide a convenient and welcoming environment. Collaborate with Customer experience, Digitaland Brand and Restaurant Operations on continual innovation. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2018 | Employer: Panda Restaurant Group | Title: Chief Development Officer | Department: Development |
Responsibilities: Earned rapid promotions as the company went through a period of significant change and growth. Handpicked and groomed by CFO for CDO role to lead real estate, asset management, architecture and design, global FFE sourcing, facilities, and construction for all PRG concepts in markets worldwide. As part of the corporate “2020 Vision” strategy, catalyzed a fundamental shift around innovation and brand development. Championed a proactive approach to ensure portfolio stays relevant to drive growth. Managed 110-employee team with multiple direct reports earning promotions to Director level and above. Delivered 15% savings for overall restaurant package by establishing a global sourcing network, including a reliable vendor network in Asia to source 50% of the total FFE package for Panda Express restaurants. Transformed the Panda Express building prototype to spur 23% growth in average unit volume and developed a phased remodel program to update 100 stores annually. Maximized success of expansion by developing multi-tier business model strategy with different concepts for different markets. Notably, it implemented Innovation Kitchen, a showcase store that tests new ideas. Led development of 14 new domestic DMAs in 4 years by implementing a real estate long-range planning process. Qualified franchisee partners and produced brand guidelines and development processes to support global expansion in Mexico, South Korea, Guatemala, Canada, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. Led real estate, design, and construction for full-service and fast-casual brands and new concept joint ventures, including Panda Express, Panda Inn, Hibachi Inn, Raising Canes, Ippudo, Uncle Tetsu, Yaki Yan, and Pieology. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to 2011 | Employer: Arby's Restaurant Group | Title: Senior Director, Store Planning | Department: Development |
Responsibilities: Promoted to lead the team through all aspects of store development and franchisee support. Took on additional responsibility to drive the international growth of Wendy’s brand. Heightened ROI for remodeling program by reducing investment by 50% and increasing positive comp sales by 15%. Value-engineered remodel designs and tested concepts in the first year, achieving higher ROI in all markets. Led project to increase the number of franchisee-owned stores and exceeded the goal by 25%. With <40 stores under development atmid-year, revitalized program to drive 100 stores to completion (against a plan of 80) by year’s end. Instrumental in clinching 100-store development deal with Al Jammaz Group to drive expansion in the Middle East. Leveraged design experience in the region to create four dual-brand concepts for free-standing buildings. Enabled expansion into new international markets—Singapore, Russia, Japan, Latin America, and South America—by developing design standards-aligned with geographically unique consumer/brand voice. Achieved Silver LEED Certification by internally championing a sustainability program and overseeing the implementation of the company’s first green building. Won Maverick Award for successes. |
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International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 1993 to 1999 | Country / Region: Oman and Zanzibar | Summary: Rana Vision, Design and Engineering and Qurum Design (1993–1999) Served as Senior Interior Designer for ultra-high-end projects in the Middle East, including the Grand Mosque and Guest Palaces of Sultan Qaboos (Oman) and the Presidential Hotel and Airport Terminal (Zanzibar). |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Certified LEED Accredited Professional – U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) CFI-Customer Focused Innovation certification- Stanford University, Graduate School of Education Certified Interior Designer – Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Master Executive Coach – The Hudson Institute |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Serves on the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Board of Trustees. Serves on the Board of Directors of Diamond Rock Hospitality Company, a publicly-traded self-advised Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and is involved in non-profit work with GLEAM Network. GLEAM is a Global Leadership Enhancement and Mentorship Network serving underrepresented and underserved professionals in the foodservice industry. |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Exceptional Women Awardee Award |