Dan Mesches

About Dan Mesches

Dan Mesches is an experienced Operations Executive with a proven track record of success. Dan is a leader known for his strategic vision, building teams and business acumen. He is a results-oriented leader that identifies opportunities and brings solutions to achieve an organizations overall business objectives. Dan has developed top leaders within the industry and is a trusted advisor to many. Dan\'s current board positions include, Artisanal Blue Northern, Picnik, Sprinkles.Dan has been fortunate to work with or create concepts that have been chosen as Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurant”, Conde Nast Traveler top 75 new restaurants in the world, Gourmet magazine top new restaurants, “The Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, one of the “33 Best Burgers in the Entire Country” by Thrillist, one of The Daily Meal’s best “101 Burgers in America,” and one of the “10 Brands to Watch” by CNBC and MSN, among other accolades. Additionally, Dan’s concepts have proudly participated in a number of dinners at The James Beard House in NYC.Additionally, he developed a well-known and respected consulting brand with industry leaders as clients, such as; Bloomin’ Brands, Delaware North Companies, Guest Services Inc, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Harley Davidson Museum, The Hay Adams and the Ritz Carlton Company. He was responsible for multiple aspects of their businesses to include; new concept development, acquisition of brands, and creation of food and beverage programs.Dan believes in giving back to the community. He held multiple executive committee roles and served as Chairman for Destination DC (Washington D.C.’s Convention and visitors Bureau). At DDC he also served as Chairman for the cities Brand Strategy Taskforce. Dan served on the advisory board for L\'Academie de Cuisine. He previously served on the Advisory Board and as Secretary for the Board of Trustees of the Marriott Public Charter Hospitality High School. He served two terms as Chairman of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. His special appointments include serving on the Mayor’s Emergency Task Force on Small Business Relief, the Potomac Conference for Economic Recovery Work Group, Councilman Harold Brazil’s Economic Summit and on the Steering Committee for the Center City Taskforce.

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer

   Swensons Drive-In Restaurants

   Aug 2024 — Present · OH, US

   Founded in 1934, Swensons Drive-Ins are truly iconic. We serve fresh-grilled burgers, handspun milkshakes, and crispy sides right to your car by an energetic team of smiling Curb Servers™. This personal interaction between guests and Curb Servers is what’s brought generations flocking to Swensons. We have 26 stand locations (brick & mortar, nontraditional and mobile), throughout Ohio and are continuing our roadmap of thoughtful growth.

Education

• University of South Carolina-Columbia

  Masters Program, International/Global Studies

• Union College

  BA, Political Science

Skills

• Corporate Events
• Social Media
• Yield Management
• Pre-Opening
• Tourism
• Wedding Planning
• Parties
• Food
• Restaurants
• Wine
• Social Networking
• Catering
• Hospitality Management
• Fine Dining
• Hospitality
• Event Planning
• Revenue Analysis
• Restaurant Management
• Trade Shows
• Public Relations
• Event Management
• Cooking
• Meeting Planning
• Hospitality Industry
• Resorts
• Marketing
• Food Service
• Hotel Management
• Food & Beverage
• Customer Service
• Wine Tasting
• Menu Development
• Culinary Skills
• Hotels
• Micros
• Banquets
• Franchising