Biography

Mark Smith is the Chief Procurement Officer for Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC. He is responsible for the sourcing and contracting of all food and certain non-ingredient supplies, as well as ensuring that programs developed and implemented by both the Applebee’s and IHOP Brands are properly supported.

Mr. Smith is the former Vice President, Procurement and Distribution for Denny’s Restaurants, serving in that position since 2001. He was responsible for the procurement of all food and non-ingredient supplies and services, as well as food and supply distribution and supplier diversity for all company and franchise-operated Denny’s restaurants in the United States. Mr. Smith joined Flagstar Companies in 1993, then the owner of the Denny’s, Quincy’s, El Pollo Loco, and subsequently Coco’s and Carrows brands, and largest franchisor of Hardee’s, and spent a total of 15 years in the Flagstar/Advantica Restaurant Group/Denny’s organization in various purchasing roles.

Prior to joining Flagstar, Mr. Smith held various purchasing and analyst positions with Carl’s Jr., Bell Food Services/Taco Bell, and Proficient Food Company, Inc.

Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts in Business (Materials Logistics Management) from Michigan State University in 1982. He holds a lifetime certification as a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) from the Institute of Supply Management.