Restaurant Consultant: Brian Russell - Senior Director of Operations

Brian is charged with directing and managing operations for The BarFly Group™. In his role, Brian oversees various organizations and has direct responsibility for profit and loss controls, training of multi-unit managers, unit managers and key personnel. Brian has over 30 years of proven restaurant leadership experience and excels at strategic growth road maps and implementation. He also possesses a complete grasp on what it takes to turn around underperforming operations.

Prior to joining The BarFly Group™, Brian worked for Total Entertainment Restaurant Group for 10 years. In his capacity as a multi-unit supervisor, Brian was responsible for 28 nationwide openings and daily oversight of 14 Units. He also served as the Company's Director of Training, with training responsibility for over 60 units. Additionally, Brian served as the Director of Procurement, as well as Research and Development. For his accomplishments, he was recognized as the Company's Multi-Unit Operator of the Year.

Chris Swinyard serves a dual role as BarFly’s Menu Architect and Director of Operations and is known for his chameleon like ability enabling him to create menus of all flavors, from upscale venues to fast casual. In this role Chris oversees all menu creation and implementation while also managing operations for The BarFly Group™.

Prior to joining The BarFly Group™, Chris served as Food and Beverage Director for Dean & DeLuca, Inc. where he was an integral member of the national expansion team. During this time, Chris was charged with the standardization of all food and quality control within Dean & DeLuca stores and cafes. He also helped coordinate the opening of three anchor stores across the country, where he oversaw operations, including logistics, systems, personnel standards and training, commissary operations and promotional efforts.

Prior to his role with Dean & DeLuca, Chris served as the Executive Chef for several well known establishments, several of which being owned by Red Mountain Management. Chris is a California native who graduated with honors from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.