Rakesh Nanda

Senior Operations & Territory Management leader with 23+ years in the restaurant and food-service industry, including 7 years directing multi-unit operations across 27 full-service restaurants and 4 bars. Proven track record driving revenue and margin improvement (Total Contribution +240 bps), opening 10+ locations and leading major renovations, and lifting service speed by 18% while achieving 96% guest satisfaction. Strengths include P&L ownership, operational turnarounds, food-safety and quality systems (+12 audit points), and talent development—promoted 50+ team members and raised employee engagement by 15 percentage points.

Ready to deliver territory-level growth and operational excellence as a Regional or Territory Director in a growth-focused food service organization.

Director of Operations at Denny's Canada (2002-01 – 2025-01)

Joined the company in 2022 as Restaurant Manager, Promoted to General Manager position in 2004, Promoted to General Manager training in 2005, Promoted to Area Manager in 2006, Promoted to Regional Manager in 2007 and finally Promoted to Director of Operations in 2008

• Oversaw 27 full-service restaurants and 4 bars across multiple Canadian regions — one of the largest Denny's territories in Canada by location count.
• Ranked among the top regional directors nationally, excelling across key performance metrics including sales growth, labor accuracy, turnover, stability, and guest experience scores.
• Opened 10+ new restaurant locations and led multiple major facility renovations, managing cross-functional coordination from site readiness through grand opening.
• Realigned territory structure to optimize store counts, add management headcount where needed, and improve overall execution through effective geographic mapping.
• Coordinated 100+ person leadership conference to cascade annual and quarterly priorities across district managers and store-level leaders throughout the territory.
• Improved Total Contribution % of Sales by 240 basis points year-over-year — the highest improvement in the division — through disciplined cost management and revenue optimization.
• Drove consistent year-over-year sales and transaction growth across the territory through targeted menu initiatives, upsell programs, and average check value strategies.
• Prepared and managed annual budgets for 31 locations; conducted rigorous P&L analysis to identify margin levers and hold unit managers accountable to financial targets.
• Improved Food Safety audit results by an average of 12 points year-over-year through structured training programs and disciplined implementation of quality standards across all units.
• Improved service speed and throughput metrics by 18%, directly contributing to a lift in guest satisfaction scores to 96% territory wide.
• Implemented quality control systems and compliance frameworks to maintain brand standards across food quality, cleanliness, and service — ensuring adherence to all municipal, provincial, and federal regulations.
• Raised employee engagement scores by 1,500 basis points through targeted recognition programs, structured development of conversations, and a culture of transparent feedback.
• Promoted 50+ team members into elevated roles by identifying high-potential talent and building individualized development plans aligned to career growth.
• Facilitated an Advanced Development Program for District Managers focused on building the competencies required to progress to Director-level leadership.
• Maintained an active floor presence across the territory, providing real-time coaching and modeling the guest-first service culture expected at every location.

Diploma in Marketing Management – Management Studies Promotional Institute, New Delhi

Diploma in Hotel Management – Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition

3-Year Professional Program in Hotel Management – Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition

Bachelor of Arts – Lucknow University