Presently with more than 40 years in the restaurant industry, Alan became a Co-Owner and Partner of Marlow’s Tavern in 2011. He is responsible for the growth, development and operations of the Marlow’s brand in Florida. Marlow’s Tavern started in Atlanta in 2004. Alan brings an outstanding professional track record of success to the Marlow’s team, joining Dick Rivera, John Metz Jr and Tommy DiGiorgio as a partner in the business. At that time, Alan had just retired from Darden Restaurants Inc after 13 years as Executive Vice President of Operations in the Specialty Restaurant Group.
Throughout his career in the restaurant industry, he has developed a reputation as a strong, hands-on operational leader. Known for profitable sales growth, strategic turnarounds, aggressive expansion, human resource development and team building. In 2007, Alan was recognized for his many contributions, being selected to receive Darden’s prestigious “Strategic Pillar Award for Restaurant Operations Excellence”.
Alan began his restaurant career in the mid 70s with Norman Brinker’s Steak and Ale located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. During his 13 years at S&A Restaurant Corporation based in Dallas, Texas (Steak and Ale, Bennigan’s and Bay Street Seafood Restaurants) he held increasingly responsible positions in addition to his “up through the ranks” operations career. Alan was Vice President of Training, Vice President of Research and Development as well as Vice President of Purchasing before becoming President of Bay Street Seafood Restaurants with locations in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In the late 80s, Alan led a LBO (leveraged buy out) of the Bay Street brand and served as President and COO as he and his leadership team took the brand private.
During the 90s, Alan was President and CEO of a 110 unit Boston Market franchise in Southern California. Prior to being a franchisee, Alan spent three years at the Boston Chicken headquarters as one of eight founding officers and served first as Vice President of Franchise Operations and then as Senior Vice President of company and franchised operations, including the responsibility for human resources and training.
Throughout his career, his many successes can be traced to his principles based leadership coupled with his vibrant passion for providing an ever-improving guest experience, working to drive results through improved execution as a product of high quality team member experience. In addition to his passion for the hospitality industry, Alan raves about his family, which includes Paula, his wife of 42 years, grown children Tony and Nicole, son-in-law Jeff and their grandsons Jack and Blake.