David Prokupek – CEO & Chairman
David Prokupek has 20+ years of experience as CEO, investor, and board member helping build, finance, and advise high growth businesses in the consumer, retailing, financial services, marketing services, and communications industries. David also serves as the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Consumer Capital Partners; who provided the initial $15 million of funding to Smashburger.
Previously, David was Founder/CEO of Geronimo Partners, Chief Executive Officer of Tucker Anthony Sutro Capital Markets (which was acquired by RBC in November 2001). Prior to that he was CEO of Cleary Gull, a private investment firm that was acquired by Tucker Anthony Sutro. He was the Founder/CEO of Nationpage a leading wireless firm that was sold to Vanguard Cellular. He was a member of Bankers Trust Companys Merchant Banking Group and began his career as a sales executive at IBM. In his role as financial advisor he has advised many of this countrys leading consumer brands, retailers, and restaurant concepts.
David is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and serves as a Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America (Denver) and Quiznos. Mr. Prokupek received his MBA in Finance and Marketing from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and graduated with a BBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin.
Tom Ryan – Founder & Chief Concept Officer
Tom Ryan has 20 years of experience in marketing, branding, consumer research and concept/product development for package goods and restaurant/retail companies. Tom is also the Managing Partner and Chief Concept Officer of Consumer Capital Partners, where he leads the concept, product and brand development services.
Previously, Tom was the President of the Ventures group, Chief Marketing Officer, and Branding Officer at Quiznos. Prior to that he was EVP, Worldwide Chief Concept Officer for McDonald’s Corporation, and held the titles of US Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Menu Management at McDonald’s. Prior to McDonald’s, Tom was Senior Vice President of Business Development at Long John Silver’s. He started his restaurant career at Pizza Hut and was an officer in the Marketing, Research & Development and Business Development areas.
Tom is known for developing business building concepts, products and marketing programs throughout his career, including Stuffed Crust Pizza and Lovers line at Pizza Hut, McGriddles, Big n Tasty, Dollar Menu, and Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits at McDonalds and Steakhouse Beef Dip, Prime Rib and Sammies at Quiznos.
Tom received his Ph.D. in Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry, his Masters in Lipid Toxicology and his undergraduate degree in Food Science, all from Michigan State University.
Greg Creighton President
Greg Creighton spent the past several years in roles as President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of one of Minnesotas favorite fast casual Asian chains, Leeann Chin. During his ten-year tenure, the Company grew from 12 stores in Minneapolis to 50 stores throughout the Midwest. In his role as president, Greg directed all retail operations, production and distribution operations, purchasing, training, recruiting, real estate, new business development, finance, accounting and marketing during Leeann Chins greatest period of growth.
Doug Branigan – Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations
Doug Branigan has 25 years of restaurant operations experience in family dining, casual dining and fine dining establishments. Previously, Doug was the General Manager and Regional Manager at Chart House Restaurants. Prior to Chart House Restaurants, Doug was the Western Vice President of Operations at Morton’s, where he was responsible for over 30 restaurants across the world. Prior to joining Morton’s, Doug worked at Mimi’s Cafe as the Market Partner for Sacramento and for the state of Nevada. In his various roles, Doug obtained experience in team building, training, development and the ability to achieve the desired operational results. Doug received his BA from Colorado State University.
Jeremy Morgan - Senior Vice President of Marketing & Consumer Insights
Jeremy Morgan has 7 years of strategy experience in retail and business to consumer brands. Jeremy is also the Vice President of Strategy of Consumer Capital Partners (CCP). Prior to joining Smashburger and CCP , Jeremy was a Case Team Leader with Bain & Company in Chicago. While at Bain, he worked with retail and other consumer-oriented companies on strategy consulting engagements including pricing/promotions optimization, customer/market research and M&A due diligence. Before joining Bain, Jeremy was an associate in the corporate strategy group at JPMorganChase. He earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Computer Science from Duke University.
Chris Chang - Senior Vice President of Finance and Strategy
Chris Chang has 13 years of experience working in finance and strategy for restaurant, retail, consumer, and financial services companies. Chris also serves as a Vice President in CCPs private equity group, where he focuses on multi-unit restaurant and retail investments. Previously, Chris led corporate development at Vail Resorts, Inc., where he evaluated acquisition opportunities in consumer businesses located around Vails portfolio of ski mountain resorts, as well as acquisition opportunities in new resorts. Chris has also worked at Goldman Sachs as an investment banking analyst, at Thayer Capital Partners as an investment associate, and at First Data Corporation / Western Union as a director of corporate strategy. Chris received his MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College.