The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration welcomes Greg Dollarhyde, executive chairman of the Board of Directors of Pacific Island Restaurants, Inc., as the featured speaker in its 'Conversations with Entrepreneurs' series on May 1, 2007. Dollarhyde will present from noon - 1:00 p.m., in 291 Statler Hall.
Under Dollarhyde's direction, and in conjunction with private equity firm, Brentwood Associates, Pacific Island Restaurants operates a chain of 93 Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in Hawaii and Guam. Earlier in his career, Dollarhyde was president and chief executive officer of Fresh Enterprises, Inc., the holding company of BAJA FRESH, a rapid growth, 'fast-casual' Mexican food chain headquartered in Southern California. Dollarhyde, in partnership with other investors, purchased the company in 1998. After four years of exceptional growth, they sold it to Wendy's International in 2002 for $275 million; more than seven times their original investment.
'We are thrilled to have Greg Dollarhyde share his extraordinary entrepreneurial success with our students as a successful serial entrepreneur,' noted Cathy Enz, associate dean for Industry Research and Affairs. 'Building Baja Fresh from a small chain to the leader in the Fresh Mexican sector is just one example of his remarkable entrepreneurial talents.'
Dollarhyde continues to be active in other entrepreneurial ventures. He is currently lead investor and chairman of Riot Games, Inc., an early stage video game development company, and is a principal of B Cellars, a new winery specializing in Napa Valley appellation blends. Additionally, Dollarhyde is a private investor and liaison to private equity funds seeking investments in the restaurant and service retail sectors.
Dollarhyde is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration (BS with Distinction '80) and The Johnson Graduate School of Management (MBA '81).
About The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship
A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, the Institute supports and enables innovation and new business formation in the hospitality industry, provides students with guidance on entrepreneurship study, introduces students to hospitality entrepreneurs, and encourages students to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. The Institute is also a platform for knowledge about forming new hospitality businesses, managing small and family-run businesses, franchising, corporate venturing, new venture funding, and innovation. To learn more about the Institute, visit: www.ihe.cornell.edu or contact Joe Strodel, Jr., Acting Director, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at 607.255.4646.
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