Food Service & Hospitality Executive Recruiters

Meet Our Experienced Recruiting Team

An Executive Staffing & Recruiting Team With Over 100 Years Combined Industry Experience

Ron Stockman

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ron began his career in the restaurant industry as an operator and is able to view restaurant companies from an operator’s perspective, a key to understanding their significant challenges. His extensive Executive Level Management experience in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry has positioned him to bring his clients valuable organizational perspective, while helping them capitalize on the brightest talent and best performing candidates in the marketplace. Prior to joining National Restaurant Hospitality Search (formerly National Restaurant Search) in 1997 he served as President and CEO of Rosati’s Franchise Systems Inc, President and COO of Bravo Restaurants Inc. and Vice President of Operations for Restaurant Associates.

A graduate of The State University of New York at Delhi where he studied Hotel Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Ron is frequently quoted about Executive Search, Restaurant and Hospitality Management and Recruitment in national publications including The Wall Street Journal, QSR Magazine and the Restaurant Finance Monitor. In the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry, he is revered as one of the “go to” people for advice relating to matters concerning the Restaurant and Hospitality Executive Search business as well as expertise in matters concerning Franchise Business and Franchise Executive Search opportunities.

John Chitvanni

Founder

John Chitvanni founded National Restaurant Search (currently known as National Restaurant Hospitality Search) in 1981, after three years of successful restaurant search activities with other national firms. Prior to his entry into the executive search industry, he spent 13 years in restaurant operations in positions of increasing responsibility. His background includes both fast food and full service; his last position in operations had multi-unit responsibility with a national fast food company.

A native of Boston, John attended Boston State College. He has served as a guest speaker at industry conventions, written articles for various industry publications, and was a contributing author for the book Dining in Corporate America.

Steve Hickey

Executive Vice President

Steve began his career in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry as a regional marketing manager for McDonald’s. At McDonald’s, he rose to the level of Staff Director of National Marketing, then moved on to become VP of Marketing for Hardee’s, then VP Marketing for Wendy’s, where he helped introduce the “Dave Thomas” campaign and the Value Menu. After that, he transitioned to casual dining and served as SVP Marketing for TGI Friday’s. He later joined the hospitality industry as CMO for LaQuinta Inns & Suites, before his last corporate position as CMO for Buca di Beppo.

At this point, Steve will use his broad knowledge of the restaurant and hospitality industries, and its players, as a backbone for success in the world of executive search. Steve is a graduate of Indiana University, and lives in Sarasota, FL with his wife Nancy.

Jim Ameluxen

Account Executive

Jim joined National Restaurant Search in 2007 after a 32 year career in the restaurant industry. After spending his initial years in corporate operations positions, he transitioned to his first interest, marketing. There, he held director level positions in the QSR and casual theme segments of the business.

Jim has also owned and operated two of his own restaurants, giving him an appreciation for the day to day demands of the business.

Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Marketing, he enjoys spending his recreational time in Northern Minnesota where he and his family have a lake cabin. He lives and works in the Denver area.

Recent Executive Placements

Restaurant Industry Executives:

CEO, Private Equity Acquisition Fast Casual Chain
CEO, Multi Concept Full Service Chain
COO, Asian Fast Casual Chain
VP Culinary, Industry Leading Casual Theme Concept
Sr. VP Real Estate & Development, Fast Casual Pizza Concept
VP Marketing, National QSR Chain

Franchise Industry Executives:

CEO, Private Equity Acquisition QSR Franchise
VP Franchise Sales, National Retail Franchisor
Director Procurement & Distribution, National Franchisor
CFO, National Multi Concept Franchisee
VP Franchise Development, National QSR Chain

Hotel Industry Executives:

General Manager, Upscale Full Service Hotel
General Manager, Premier Hotel Management Company
Director Marketing, Regional Hotel Chain
Director Construction & Facilities, National Hotel Franchise
General Manager, Historic Hotel Complex
Director Food & Beverage, Upscale Hotel

Who We Are

We assist companies in developing innovative digital goods and experiences.

National Restaurant Hospitality Search is proud to boast a talented staff of food service, hospitality, and franchise executive recruiters, who possess over 100 years of combined restaurant and hospitality industry experience!

Our expert team of food service and hospitality executive recruiters provide clients with quick, reliable, and effective human capital solutions!

Finding the right person for the job is a critical mission for our business partners, and one that our team of experienced hospitality & franchise executive recruiters has completed thousands of times.

EXPERIENCED

With over 100 years of combined industry experience, our staff knows the ropes.

TALENTED

We boast some of the top food service and hospitality executive recruiters in the business!

DEDICATED

Our dedication to our clients and their needs is unmatched.

Let’s work together on your next project.

Have questions or want to talk further about an executive staffing need that you have? Don’t delay, call or email us today, and we would be happy to discuss your staffing and executive hiring needs.