David Swinghamer
Senior Advisor Consumer
Role
David is a Senior Advisor focusing on consumer restaurant, food, and beverage industries. He currently is a board member at Stripes portfolio company Snooze.
Areas of Expertise
- Growth Strategy
- Organizational Development
- Hospitality Operations
- Real Estate Development
- Brand Strategy
- International Expansion
Background
Before joining Stripes, David served as Chief Executive Officer of Shake Shack. He helped transform the business from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to a multinational burger company with over 60 locations prior to its IPO. As a founding partner of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), David served as President of Growth Businesses, focusing on building Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, and Union Square Events. He led the design and development of USHG fine-dining restaurants in addition to being the company’s CFO.
Before USHG, David spent 11 years as Vice President and Partner of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a leading Chicago-based multi-concept restaurant company. During this time, he was also Senior Vice President and CFO for Maggiano’s and Corner Bakery.
Currently, David is an investor, board member, and executive advisor to several leading restaurant and retail businesses including Snooze, Hai Hospitality (Uchi, Uchiko, Loro), and Hattie B's Hot Chicken. He also advises Boston Properties on the strategic direction, design, and operations of the restaurant, food, and beverage offerings within their properties.
In his spare time, you are likely to find David enjoying sports of all kinds, traveling, or venturing on some crazy food quest to discover the best Omakase or Mole sauce.
Education
B.S.B in Accounting, Carlson School of Business at University of Minnesota