Meet The Team

Board Members

Sam Wilensky

Chairman of the Board

SWDen, LLC
5879 Dahoon Drive
Pensacola, FL 32526
samwilensky@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.
3170 S. Gilbert Rd, Suite 1
Chandler, AZ 85286
P: 480.722.9196
glennbeattie@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
12431 Lewis St., Suite 201
Garden Grove, CA 92840
P: 714.750.3612
medhatbechay@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
PO Box 89
New Concord, Ohio 43762-0089
kevincoveney@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

Florida Success
1071 Pemberton Hill Road
Apex, North Carolina 27502
carlferland@dennys.org

Carl Ferland

Board Member

David Kahre

Board Member

Pride Restaurants LLC
7627 W 95th St.
Hickory Hills, IL 60586
P: 630.410.1822 ext 701
davidkahre@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.
5839 Sebastian Pl, Suite 102
San Antonio, TX 78249
P: 210.694.0707
dawnlafreeda@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.
1755 W Broadway St., Suite 310
Vancouver, BC, V6J 4S5
bobbynaicker@dennys.org

With Denny’s:
Been a Franchisee:
Owns (or has ownership in):
States of locations: Canada
Other Concepts:

S&S Restaurant Ventures, LLC
9481 Haven Ave, Suite 120
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
sandeepshah@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
P: 303.601.1569
jimwainwright@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

frankrivera@dennys.org

Board Advisors

Tim Flemming

timflemming@dennys.org

John Lewis

johnlewis@dennys.org

Association Management Team

Barbara Magro

Association Executive Director & Meeting Manager

barb@dennys.org

0