Ian Burris

Visionary entrepreneur and proven executive who built The Dankery from a one-person garage operation into a thriving multi-location restaurant brand generating $2M+ in revenue with a 37-person team. Currently serving as General Manager of Food & Beverage for Fort Lauderdale United FC, overseeing all concessions, premium hospitality, and stadium F&B operations across South Florida. Brings deep expertise across P&L ownership, brand development, team scaling, and strategic partnerships — informed by Duke Fuqua executive education in Business Management and Negotiation.

Combines hands-on execution with executive-level thinking to drive sustainable growth.

General Manager of Food & Beverage - Fort Lauderdale United FC - Fort Lauderdale, FL

(2026-01)

Direct all food and beverage operations across stadium concessions, premium hospitality, and special events for a professional women's soccer club in the NWSL Gainbridge Super League.

• Manage full P&L, budgeting, inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships across four full-service bars, a stadium restaurant, and 14 premium hospitality sections with bottle service.
• Lead hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management for all F&B staff.
• Develop menus, pricing strategies, and game-day service standards tailored to the South Florida market.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food service regulations across all venue operations.
• Partner with executive leadership to grow game-day revenue and elevate the overall fan experience.
• Secured a long-term liquor distribution agreement, reducing costs and ensuring uninterrupted supply.
• Negotiated a food wholesale distribution partnership that streamlined procurement and improved product availability.
• Produced the highest-grossing event in club history through strategic planning, premium hospitality, and operational execution.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer - The Dankery - Raleigh, NC

(2017-01)

Scaled company from solo garage startup to two brick-and-mortar locations, growing the team to 37 employees and achieving multi-million dollar annual revenue.

• Owned full P&L responsibility; implemented financial controls and cost-reduction initiatives that improved operating margins while preserving product quality.
• Developed and executed multi-year strategic plans driving consistent year-over-year revenue growth and successful expansion into new markets.
• Led brand-building strategy — including PR, digital marketing, and community partnerships — resulting in feature coverage in the News & Observer and Spectacular Magazine.
• Recruited, developed, and mentored a senior leadership team; built a collaborative culture that improved employee retention and reduced turnover.
• Negotiated favorable terms with financial institutions to secure growth capital; managed vendor contracts and supply chain operations to reduce lead times and costs.
• Spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, adopting technology and operational systems to increase efficiency and improve the customer experience.
• Established and maintained regulatory compliance across food service, labor, and business operations.
• Catered for the Duke University Football, Duke Men's Basketball, and Duke Lacrosse teams, as well as the UNC Women's Volleyball and NCCU Softball programs.
• Partnered with numerous NCAA Division I and professional athletes on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) endorsement and brand partnership deals.

Private Chef - Prominent Private & Corporate Clients

(2018-01)

Provided private chef and personal culinary services for a diverse roster of high-profile clients, including custom in-home dining, meal planning, and full-service event catering. Including NBA, NFL & ACC Athletics

• Designed and executed custom menus for intimate dinners, celebrations, and private events tailored to each client's tastes and dietary needs.
• Built a reputation for discretion, reliability, and high-end culinary execution, with clients including NBA and NFL players, ACC coaching staff, and the Duke Men's Basketball team.
• Cultivated long-term client relationships that generated referrals and steadily expanded a private clientele across collegiate and professional sports.

Franchise Owner & Minority Investor - Fort Lauderdale United FC - Fort Lauderdale, FL

(2025-01)

Equity stakeholder in a professional women's soccer franchise, with ancillary interests spanning youth athletics, concessions, merchandise, and live events.

• Engaged at the ownership level in sports franchise governance, community development, and revenue diversification across multiple business verticals.
• Leveraged entrepreneurial and operational background to contribute strategic input on brand growth and fan engagement.

Executive Education - Business Negotiation - Duke University, Fuqua School of Business (2024-01 - 2024-12)

Executive Education - Business Management - Duke University, Fuqua School of Business (2023-01 - 2023-12)

High School Diploma - Hillside New Tech