F&B FLORIDA 2019

Dean Small
Founder and President Synergy Restaurant Consultants
Synergy Restaurant Consultants


As founder and of Synergy Restaurant Consultants, Dean Small has brought his passion for food and extensive experience within the industry together to strategically guide other restaurant owners. Although much of Dean’s resume reads like a “who’s who” of major chains and quick service restaurants, he has co-created innumerable independent concepts with owners new to the business. Dean is also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and did his apprenticeship at the world famous Windows on The World - the busiest restaurant in the world. Synergy was hand-picked by LYFE Kitchen’s CEO Mike Roberts (former President of McDonalds USA) to collaborate with celebrity chefs in shaping the organizational and operational systems required to launch the brand. Other clients Dean has significantly impacted with his extensive experience and passion include Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Tender Greens, Unos Pizza, Taco Bell, Macaroni Grill, Lucille's Barbecue, Canyon Ranch, Caribou Coffee, and Johnny Rockets. Synergy Restaurant Consultants is one of the restaurant industry’s most prominent restaurant consulting companies. With 30 years of consulting practice and working with over 275 national restaurant chains including over 35 of the top 50 Restaurants. Major accomplishments include the initial launch of Boston Market’s food and operations strategy, financial and operations turnarounds for Sizzler North America, Denny's, Pollo Tropical, Pollo Campero, and Rock Bottom Brewery. Dean has had the good fortune to travel throughout the world keeping his finger on food and dining trends. Synergy is widely known for its dynamic innovation strategies to drive sales and practical solutions to reducing operating complexity and improving the financial performance and execution of underperforming restaurants. Dean is quoted often in all the major publications has been a contributing food writer to Plate and Flavor On-The-Menu trade publications.

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