Max Di Girolamo

Restaurant and hospitality operations leader with 15+ years of progressive experience across multi-unit management, district operations, new restaurant openings, general manager development, customer experience, sales, marketing, and process improvement. Proven leadership of a 9-unit Florida market with a $25M+ annual sales portfolio, plus current franchise business consulting supporting 90 locations across 14 states. Recognized for developing leaders, strengthening operating standards, improving business processes, and building high-performing teams.

Franchise Business Consultant at Denny's Corporation (2026-03 – Present)

• Provide brand standards consulting and operational guidance to support business optimization across a 90-location franchise network spanning 14 states.
• Evaluate operating practices and identify opportunities to strengthen execution, consistency, customer experience, and business performance.

District Manager – Florida Market at Denny's Corporation (2024-01 – 2026-03)

• Led operations for 9 restaurant locations across Central and South Florida with responsibility for a $25M+ annual sales portfolio.
• Partnered with General Managers to improve execution, develop leaders, reinforce brand standards, and drive market performance.
• Provided hands-on operational coaching, GM training, performance support, and accountability across the district.

New Restaurant Opening (NRO) Coordinator at Darden Restaurants – Olive Garden (2017-11 – 2023-06)

• Coordinated new restaurant opening initiatives, including the Orlando opening in 2023 and the Fashion Square Orlando 'restaurant of the future' opening in 2019.
• Supported General Managers in Pooler, GA; Bluffton, SC; and North Charleston, SC through operational coaching and leadership support.
• Led customer service, training, team-building, organization, and problem-solving initiatives to support consistent restaurant execution.

Director of Operations at Ruth's Chris Steak House / Hospitality & Customer Service Corp. (2014-01 – 2017-08)

• Improved business processes across departments through operational analysis, collaboration, and execution of improvement initiatives.
• Led quality-control efforts and served as a Perfect Execution Auditor to reinforce operating standards.
• Developed and supported General Manager training programs.

Director of Operations at Chili's (2012-11 – 2013-12)

• Provided marketing guidance, U.S. and Latin American market research, and strategic opportunity analysis.
• Supported new restaurant openings and alliance strategy initiatives.
• Trained and developed General Managers and restaurant managers.

General Manager at U.S. Embassy – El Salvador, American Employee Association (2004 – 2012)

• Directed daily operations, event coordination, presentations, and project-related activities.
• Optimized internal recreational areas, generating a 90% increase in sales.
• Established internal processes and controls that contributed to a 35% reduction in operational costs.
• Received the 3rd Worldwide Best Administration Award for AEA from the U.S. Department of State.

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies – Harvard Business School (2015)

Industrial Expert Engineering – ITIS Avogadro – Torino, Italy (2000)