“The recruitment, selection, development and retention of team talent will always be at the core of the success of KBP Foods. This requires more than sophisticated tools and systems, and more than pay and promotion. It requires a patient hunger to surround yourself with people better than you, and a team stronger than any one person. It requires the humility to learn from everyone around you, and a desire to help others achieve their goals.”
– MATT HANSEN,
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Matt is responsible for the success of more than 700 restaurants across 25 states spanning half of the U.S. Matt joined the KBP team in 2009 as Regional Vice President in the newly-acquired Florida market. In 2011, Matt moved his family to Atlanta to integrate KBP Foods’ newest and largest acquisition. Matt assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and was charged with building a leadership team across the business.
In 2017, Matt and his family relocated to Overland Park, Kan. to increase efficiencies between Operations and the Corporate Support Center as the business continues to grow. Matt’s proven success in acquisition integration is invaluable.
Before joining KBP, Matt led a multi-unit management team that oversaw 210 restaurants in 13 states worth $250 million in annual sales within a large national brand in the quick service restaurant industry. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry and leads the charge for support of Our Military Kids where he serves on the Board.
Tony has 25 years’ experience in the quick service industry. Tony is known for his focus on maximizing his team’s potential through consistent execution. He is also a passionate warrior of culture and challenges his team to “be better every day” as they live out the company’s values while driving results.
Prior to joining KBP, Tony managed over $375 million in business for 275 restaurants in 15 states. Tony also managed $45 million in catering business at that time. He has also supervised Training and Learning and Development Departments.
Jim Stanton brings more than 25 years of experience delivering sustainable revenue, market and profit growth for restaurant chains throughout the United States. Jim joined KBP Foods in 2013 as a Regional Vice President and now serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, based in Kentucky.
Previous to KBP Foods, Jim served as the Senior National Restaurant Operations Manager where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of 287 quick service restaurants and the Vice President of Operations for a large quick service restaurant group, where he managed 185 restaurants with revenues in excess of $194 million. Jim won the KBP President’s Award in 2014 for his leadership and operational excellence. Jim has a passion for wild game hunting, and he and his wife are world travelers.
Dwayne McIntyre, Regional Vice President of OperationsDwayne McIntyre brings more than 30 years of QSR experience to KBP, including 25 years with the KFC brand. Dwayne joined KBP as a Market Coach through an acquisition in North Carolina in 2013. In 2016, Dwayne was promoted to Director of Operations when he took over the Detroit market. He was then promoted to Senior Director of Operations when his territory expanded to include Ohio and Upstate New York.
Dwayne now serves as Regional Vice President in Atlanta. Dwayne has a proven track record of successfully integrating newly-acquired markets and greatly improving their performance across key metrics. He is also passionate about developing talent from within and helping employees reach their full potential with KBP.
Jesse Ávila, Senior Vice PresidentJesse brings considerable QSR experience and a legitimate passion for making people great. His 20+ year QSR journey began as a crew member at a local restaurant. In the years since, he has progressed from shift manager to assistant manager to restaurant manager to area supervisor to his most recent role – Senior Operations Coach, where he oversaw over 90 Taco Bell units with annual revenue over $125 million.
The people are the reason Jesse loves the QSR industry. He does not take lightly his ability to have a positive impact and touch people’s lives with their development and growth. Per Jesse, “I believe in loving your people and always giving 212 degrees of effort in all we do. I am here to serve”.
Jesse has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from St Leo University, and a Master’s Degree in Human Relations and Business from Amberton University.
Lori Byers
Lori has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Before joining KBP Foods as Regional Vice President for Detroit, Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Toledo, Ohio, she served as a Vice President of Operations & Catering for a fast-casual chain where she oversaw more than 250 restaurants with annual sales in excess of $325 million, including catering revenue of $45 million.
She has an associate’s degree in hotel-restaurant management and earned her B.A. from the University of Toledo in Ohio. Lori and her husband, Charles, live in the Detroit-metro area and have two sons. Lori is a board member of the Detroit Youth Connection. She is passionate about developing future leaders and helping them achieve their full potential, just as her mentors have done for her.
Brian has more than 25 years of experience in the quick service industry. Before joining KBP Foods, Brian served as Senior Director of Operations for a fast-casual restaurant chain where he was responsible for more than 100 restaurants and $125M in sales throughout the Southeast region.
Brian joined KBP Foods in 2016 as Regional Vice President of Operations for the Florida and North Carolina markets. He is passionate about developing and empowering people to be successful in their careers, and lives by the principle, “always strive to be better than yesterday.”
Brian lives in Orlando, FL with his wife and two sons. He enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, running and staying active, and going to sporting activities with his wife and children.
Joe brings more than 20 years of QSR experience to KBP Foods. After joining KBP Foods through an acquisition in 2008, Joe successfully led operations in nearly every major acquisition market over the next nine years, ensuring a seamless transition for those teams.
He was also instrumental in developing KBP’s 180 Day Plan acquisition integration plan, which has become a cornerstone of the company’s success. Today, Joe leads operations in the Chicago market.
Prior to KBP, Joe worked for KFC U.S. He has received numerous industry accolades, including multiple RGM awards through KFC U.S., KBP’s “MVP” Award and Circle of Excellence, KBP’s President’s Award. Joe graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in finance and management.
As Regional Vice President of Operations, Christian leads operations in New York and New Jersey. His consistency and passion for developing people are key contributors to his success, and earned him the President’s Award for top scorecard performance in 2019.
Christian has more than 30 years of QSR and retail experience. Before joining KBP Foods, he served as Director of Operations for a fast-casual restaurant chain, where he was responsible for 35 restaurants and $52mm sales.
He is guided by the principles of servant leadership and is committed to providing the support, guidance and resources his team needs to be successful.
Christian graduated with a Bachelor’s in Retail Management from Syracuse University. He lives in New Jersey, and is a dedicated husband and father of two.
Tim has more than 30 years of restaurant industry experience. Since joining KBP as a Market Coach in 2017, Tim has quickly become a valued leader within the organization, as evidenced by his growth trajectory. He was promoted to Director in 2018, then Senior Director in 2019 and Regional Vice President in 2020. He currently oversees operations in Alabama, Louisiana and North Texas.
Prior to joining KBP, Tim personally owned and operated several QSR and fast-casual restaurants. Previously, he served as Senior Director of Operations at Arby’s. During his 15-year tenure with Arby’s, he served on a number of operational committees, played an integral role in testing and implementing a new building prototype across the system, and was actively involved in the creation and execution of a variety of leadership development programs.
Tim earned an A.A.S. degree from Jefferson State in Birmingham, Ala. and is nearing completion of his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He currently oversees operations in Alabama, Louisiana and North Texas.
Bob has more than 25 years of QSR and fast casual restaurant experience. Prior to joining KBP, he served as Vice President of Operation Services for Panera Bread where he was responsible for supporting more than 2,300 franchise and corporate owned locations. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations for International Dairy Queen.
Bob is an experienced operations leader who takes pride in coaching and developing his teams to be successful both personally and professionally.
Bob has a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Business from the University of Connecticut. He oversees operations in Maine and New Hampshire and lives in Hampton, NH.
Mark brings more than 20 years of operations, retail and sales experience to KBP. Previously, he served as Group Vice President at Target Corporation where he led the company’s largest geography and one of the highest volume regions, which was responsible for over $4B in annual sales.
Mark has a proven track record of improving operational processes and productivity, in turn driving increased volume and sales. Equally important, Mark is a dedicated servant leader who has spent his career developing talent at all levels, promoting diversity and inclusion, and prioritizing community involvement and volunteerism.
Mark has an associate’s degree in business from Florida College and a bachelor’s degree in corporate and organizational communication from Western Kentucky University. He and his wife live in Denver with their two daughters and are actively involved in the community.