Tom Ryan - Founder

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 McDonald’s 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.

David Prokupek - 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 Company’s 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 country’s 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.

Scott Crane - President

Scott Crane has 20 years of experience in restaurant operations, real estate selection and development, growth, and strategic planning. Previously, Scott was the Executive Vice President of Kansas-based Fugate Enterprises; an operator of over 300 franchise restaurants including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Sonic, and Blockbuster Video stores. Scott helped grow the company from 230 units to 300, leading Fugate through five years of substantial unit growth and profitability improvement. He has also served in operating and management roles at Lone Star Steakhouse, Amarillo Mesquite Grill, and Houlihan's.

Ryan McMonagle - CFO

Ryan McMonagle has 10 years of experience in both private equity and strategic consulting for consumer oriented concepts. Previously Ryan was the Vice President at Consumer Capital Partners, where he focused on restaurant and consumer investment opportunities, including the sale of Quiznos to JP Morgan Partners, now CCMP. Prior to Consumer Capital Partners, Ryan was a Summer Associate for Founders Equity, a New York based private equity firm focused on the lower middle market. Prior to joining Founders, Ryan worked at Bain and Company, where he spent time in their private equity practice working with large private equity firms on their due diligence of potential acquisition candidates. At Bain, Ryan also worked with several clients in consumer industries, developing roll out strategies for new products and helping to improve store level profitability. 

Ryan received his MBA from Harvard Business School and received his BBA in Finance and Organization Behavior from Southern Methodist University. Mr. McMonagle currently serves as the President of the SMU Young Alumni Association.

Greg Creighton – Regional Vice President

Greg Creighton spent the past several years in roles as President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of one of Minnesota’s 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 Chin’s greatest period of growth.

Max Sheets – Vice President of Real Estate

Max Sheets has over 20 years of experience in restaurant specific construction and real estate development. Previously, Max was the Vice President of Real Estate and Development for Atlanta-based Ted’s Montana Grill. Prior to joining Ted’s Montana Grill, Max obtained executive level experience with a number of high-growth restaurant concepts including Del Frisco’s Fine Dining Steakhouse, Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, Sullivans Steakhouse, BD’s Mongolian BBQ, Fox and Hound Pub, and Firebird’s Rocky Mountain Grill. While serving in these various roles, Max oversaw the selection, development and construction of several hundred new restaurant sites.

Doug Branigan - 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.

Jennifer Nash - Director of Marketing

Jennifer Nash has nearly 5 years of marketing experience in restaurant marketing, franchise marketing and product innovation.  Previously, Jennifer was the Marketing Manager at Quiznos, where she helped develop and market Toasty Torpedoes and The New Quiznos. Prior to joining Quiznos, Jennifer was the Director of Marketing & Communications at Maui Wowi Coffees & Smoothies where she assisted franchisees nationwide to grow their businesses utilizing marketing and public relations.  Jennifer received her BA in Marketing and Management from Colorado State University

Jennifer Bryant - Director of Human Resources

Jennifer Bryant has 13 years of front line restaurant operations experience combined with a solid Human Resources Management track record.  Previously, Jennifer spent six years as a Manager with Rock Bottom Restaurants and has held various Human Resources Management positions with Nordstrom Inc., Quiznos and Frontier Airlines.  Jennifer is a member of the Women's Foodservice Forum, Society of Human Resources Management and holds the designation of Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).