Bryan Marks (215) 353-3816 • bmarks0817@gmail.com Allentown, PA 18104 • LinkedIn Operations Management – VP of Operations Accomplished, results-driven professional with extensive experience as both franchisor and franchisee, driving operational excellence, streamlining processes, and overseeing performance across 850+ restaurants. Demonstrated background in transforming large-scale operations, improving service quality, and standardizing practices to elevate brand consistency throughout multi-location networks. Proven history of success in building high-performing teams, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing data-driven strategies to enhance business profitability. Track record of aligning operational initiatives with strategic growth goals, fostering collaborative partnerships, and creating people-first culture to ensure employee engagement and guest satisfaction. Recognized for leveraging dual franchise and corporate management experience to drive change across functional, business, and geographic boundaries. Areas of Expertise • Multi-Unit Operations Management • Franchise & Franchisor Relations • Business & Revenue Growth • Stakeholder Engagement • Strategic Planning & Execution • Data-Driven Decision Making • Customer Service Excellence • P&L & Financial Oversight • Team Development & Leadership • Partner Relationship Building • Cross-functional Collaboration • Brand Awareness Professional Experience Applebee’s Grill and Bar/Dine Brands-Corporate, Pasadena, CA 2018 – 2024 Vice President of Operations Oversaw turnaround strategies for underperforming franchises to drive improvements in financial performance and process efficiency. Cultivated strong franchise partnerships by promoting collaborative culture, improving franchise engagement, and guaranteeing operational success. • Directed oversight of 850+ Applebee’s restaurants and generated over $2.6B in annual sales, resulting in consistent brand growth across U.S. • Led and developed 19-member field operations team to deliver franchise support, drive operational consistency, and enhance overall business performance. • Achieved significant revenue growth and operational enhancements across franchise network by championing top-line priorities and strategic initiatives. • Drove sustained sales growth by improving guest experience metrics, maintaining brand standards, and ensuring high guest satisfaction and operational consistency. • Achieved industry-leading black box results year-over-year by delivering strategic franchise support and executing operational excellence initiatives. • Increased franchise profitability by fostering knowledge-sharing culture through franchise-to-franchise collaboration and best practice dissemination. • Embedded “People First” culture to ensure employee satisfaction, improve retention, and increase guest loyalty/experience. • Reduced team member turnover rates from 177% in 2022 to 138% in 2024 by significantly enhancing franchise stability and operational efficiency. • Launched quarterly roundtables across 32 franchise groups to foster collaboration, increase sales growth, and drive best practice adoption. Page 1 | 3 • Developed guest feedback scorecard and ranking system to drive targeted improvements, optimize sales, and maintain Applebee’s industry leadership in black box results. Apple Gold Group/Applebee’s Franchise, Raleigh, North Carolina 2016 – 2018 Vice President of Operations Built high-performing teams, oversaw P&L management, and executed targeted marketing initiatives, resulting in increased marketability for franchise sale. Led team development to enhance guest experience, drive continuous sales growth, and contribute to EBITDA improvement. • Directed oversight of multi-unit directors across 52 Applebee’s locations and generated over $160M in annual sales, leading to strengthened operational efficiency. • Achieved stable operations by successfully staffing critical markets, filling two area director, 12 general manager, and 22 assistant manager positions. • Reversed negative sales trends within first three months and achieved positive comparable sales growth against declining company average, trend continued for two consecutive years. • Increased EBITDA from 5.5% to over 11% between 2016 and 2018, driving substantial profitability growth. • Elevated restaurant valuations, successfully facilitating franchise sale at higher market price. Cosi Restaurants-Corporate, Boston, Massachusets 2014 – 2016 Vice President of Operations Onboarded three new franchisees, expanded brand’s footprint, and ensure long-term business growth. Spearheaded initiatives to drive revenue growth for corporate restaurants and franchises, while building high-performing teams and successfully onboarding new franchisees. • Directed oversight of two Regional Vice Presidents, Director of Franchise Development, Director of Training, and Human Resources, ensuring operational excellence across both franchise and corporate restaurants. • Achieved positive sales trends within first six months, while maintaining sustained growth throughout tenure. • Doubled Cosi’s stock price in first full year, significantly enhancing shareholder value. Additional Experience Regional Vice President of Operations, The Rose Group/Applebee’s Franchise, Newton, Pennsylvania • Spearheaded team of Multi-Unit Directors across PA, MD, DE, and NJ, driving over $167M in annual sales and surpassing regional revenue targets. • Increased sales growth, strengthened team development, and enhanced bench strength through strategic P&L and marketing initiatives, resulting in sustained profit margins. • Achieved six Franchise of the Year awards at annual Applebee’s Grill and Bar Conference, enhancing brand reputation and operational excellence. • Expanded Rose Group’s restaurant portfolio from 24 to 55 locations in eight years, positioning organization as a regional leader in growth and market presence. • Cultivated high-performing teams at all leadership levels, leading to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and long term operational success. Education & Credentials Bachelor of Arts in Business Management Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina Affiliations Page2 | 3 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Chair Guest Speaker, Cystic Fibrosis Pro-Am Tennis Tournament Player and Sponsor St Jude Children’s Hospital, Contributor Page3 | 3
