Meet The Team
Board Members

Sam Wilensky
Chairman of the Board
SWDen, LLC
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1976
Been a Franchisee: Since 2008
Owns (or has ownership in): 7 locations
States of locations: FL, AL & MS
Other concepts: None
First job with Denny’s: Busser
All positions held: Busser, Asst. Mgr., General Mgr., District Mgr., 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, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Board
Top Line Restaurants, Inc.
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1990
Been a Franchisee: Since 2004
Owns (or has ownership in): 14 locations
States of locations: NY
Other concepts: Corner Bakery Cafe, Bahama Bucks
First job with Denny’s: Assistant Manager
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee, & Secretary of the Board
Glenn Beattie
Secretary of the Board


Medhat Bechay
Board Member
Denwest Restaurants
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1990
Been a Franchisee: Since 2004
Owns (or has ownership in): 14 locations
States of locations: CA, HI
Other concepts: None
First job with Denny’s: Assistant Manager
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee, & Secretary of the Board
Retro Concepts LLC
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 2002
Been a Franchisee: Since 2002
Owns (or has ownership in): 2 locations
States of locations: OH
Other concepts: A&W, Noble Roman’s, Tastee Freez, Holiday Inn
First job with Denny’s: Assistant Manager
All positions held: Assistant Manager, General Manager, Area Director, VP of Operations, Franchisee, & Secretary of the Board
Kevin Coveney
Board Member


David Kahre
Board Member
Pride Restaurants LLC
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1991
Been a Franchisee: Since 2007
Owns (or has ownership in): 14 locations
States of locations: IL and IN
Started In: N. California
First job with Denny’s: General Manager
All positions held: General Manager, Market Training Manager, Food Safety Specialist, Area Manager, Managing Partner, Regional Director of Operations, Sr. Regional Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, Franchisee & Board of Directors.
Den-Tex Central, Inc.
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1977
Been a Franchisee: Since 1986
Owns (or has ownership in): 80 locations
States of locations: TX, KS, MO, IL, OK & AR
Other Concepts: None
First job with Denny’s: Hostess
All positions held: Hostess, Server, Trainer, Franchisee, & Treasurer of the Board
Dawn Lafreeda
Treasurer of the Board


Bobby Naicker
Board Member
DENCAN Restaurants, Inc.
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s:
Been a Franchisee:
Owns (or has ownership in):
States of locations: Canada
Other Concepts:
SAS Restaurant Ventures, LLC
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s:
Been a Franchisee:
Owns (or has ownership in): 31 locations
States of locations: CA, AZ, ID, OR, UT
Other Concepts:
Sandeep Shah
Board Member


Jim Wainwright
Vice Chairman of the Board
Rocky Mountain Hospitality
info@dennys.org
With Denny’s: Since 1978
Been a Franchisee: Since 2013
Owns (or has ownership in): 3 locations
States of locations: CO
Other concepts: None
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, Vice Chairman of the Board
Member at Large

Frank Rivera
Member at Large
info@dennys.org
Board Advisors

Tim Flemming
info@dennys.org

John Lewis
info@dennys.org
Association Management Team

Barbara Magro
Association Executive Director & Meeting Manager
barb@dennys.org