Board Members

Sam Wilensky
Chairman of the Board
SWDen, LLC
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1974
Been a Franchisee: Since 2008
Owns (or has ownership in): 6 locations
States of locations: FL, MS
Other concepts: None

History

First job with Denny’s: Busser
All positions held: Busser, Assistant Manager, General Manager, District Manager, Franchise Representative, Franchise Region Leader, Franchise Division Leader, VP Franchise Development, Regional VP and Director Operations, Director Franchise Operations, Regional VP Franchise Operations, Divisional VP Franchise Operations, Senior VP Franchise Operations with a stint as Acting Head of Operations, Franchisee, Vice Chairman of the DFA Board, Chairman of the DFA Board
Jim Wainwright
Vice Chairman of the Board
Rocky Mountain Hospitality
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1977
Been a Franchisee: Since 2012
Owns (or has ownership in): 1 location
States of locations: WY
Other concepts: None

History

First job with Denny’s: Cook
All positions held: Cook, Assistant Manager, General Manager, District Manager, Operations Coordinator, Regional Director – Company, Franchise Business Leader, Franchise Regional Leader, Regional VP of Company & Franchise Operations, VP of Franchise Operations Domestic & International, Franchisee & Vice Chairman of the DFA Board
Glenn Beattie
Secretary of the Board
Top Line Restaurants, Inc.
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1990
Been a Franchisee: Since 2004
Owns (or has ownership in): 41 locations
States of locations: IL, IN, KY, NY, OH
Other concepts: Bahama Bucks Original Shaved Ice Co.

History

First job with Denny’s: Assistant Manager
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee & Secretary of the DFA Board
Dawn Lafreeda
Treasurer of the Board
Den-Tex Central, Inc.
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1977
Been a Franchisee: Since 1986
Owns (or has ownership in): 75 locations
States of locations: AR, IL, KS, MO, OK, TX
Other Concepts: None

History

First job with Denny’s: Hostess
All positions held: Hostess, Server, Trainer, Franchisee & Treasurer of the DFA Board
David Beshay
Board Member
Feast American Diners
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 2011
Been a Franchisee: Since 2011
Owns (or has ownership in):  24 locations
States of locations:

History

First job with Denny’s:  Franchisee
All positions held: n/a
Frank Rivera
Board Member
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1991
Been a Franchisee: Since 2016
Owns (or has ownership in): 3 locations
States of locations: FL

History

First job with Denny’s: Cook
All positions held: Franchisee & DFA Board of Directors
Kevin Coveney
Board Member
Retro Concepts LLC
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 2002
Been a Franchisee: Since 2000
Owns (or has ownership in): 2 locations
States of locations: OH

History

First job with Denny’s: Assistant Manager
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee, DFA Board of Directors, Executive Director & Chairman of the SCOC|DESCO
Medhat Bechay
Board Member
Denwest Restaurants
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1994
Been a Franchisee: Since 1996
Owns (or has ownership in): 11 locations
States of locations: CA, HI
Other concepts: None

History

First job with Denny’s: District Leader
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee & DFA Board Member

Rahul Marwah
Board Member
Denco Enterprises, Inc.
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1997
Been a Franchisee: Since 2002
Owns (or has ownership in):  30 locations
States of locations: CA, OR

History

First job with Denny’s:  Server at the age of 17
All positions held:  Service Assistant, Host, Server, Cook, Graveyard Manager, General Manager, Area Manager, Construction Manager, IT Director, Director of Operations, CFO, CEO
Sandeep Shah
Board Member
SAS Restaurant Ventures
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

Owns (or has ownership in): 31 locations
States of locations: CA, AZ, ID, OR, UT

Member at Large

Bobby Naicker
Board Member
Dencan Franchise Systems, Limited Partnership
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s:  Since 1980
Been a Franchisee:  Since 1982
Owns (or has ownership in):  15 locations
States of locations: Canada
Other Concepts:  WINGS Tap and Grill, Moxie’s Classic Grill, CHOP Steakhouse & Bar, River’s Reach Pub

Clyde Rucker
Member at Large
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 2017
Been a Franchisee: Since 2017
Owns (or has ownership in): 34 locations
States of locations: TX and FL

History

First job with Denny’s: Franchisee
All positions held: Franchisee & DFA Board of Directors

Assistant Secretary

Carl Ferland
Assistant Secretary
Florida Success
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 1973 - Over 50 years!
Been a Franchisee: Since 1994
Owns (or has ownership in): 1 location - Once owned 48!
States of locations: FL

History

First job with Denny’s: Dishwasher
All positions held:  Dishwasher, Cook, Unit Aide, Assistant Manager, General Manager, Training  General Manager, District Manager, Operations Coordinator, Sr. Operations Coordinator, Franchisee & DFA Board of Directors
Mohammed Haque
Assistant Secretary
info@dennys.org

Fun Facts

With Denny’s: Since 2001
Been a Franchisee: Since 2009
Owns (or has ownership in):  7 locations
States of locations: CA

History

First job with Denny’s: Restaurant Manager, Downey, CA

All positions held: Restaurant Manager, General Manager, Area training manager, District Manager in Charge

Board Advisors

John Lewis
Board Advisors
johnlewis@dennys.org
Tim Flemming
Board Advisors
timflemming@dennys.org

Association Management Team

Barbara Magro
Association Executive Director & Meeting Manager
1050 Glenbrook Way, Suite 480 PMB 315, Hendersonville, TN 37075
888.433.6697
barb@dennys.org