Exceptional Restaurants Demand Exceptional Leadership
Shoney's is led by an experienced team of seasoned professionals who have distinguished themselves in their fields, united in their passionate dedication to advancing the Shoney's brand.
Our Leadership
David Davoudpour
CEO
David Davoudpour is known as a visionary entrepreneur with deep experience in financial and real estate markets, leading to a series of successful ventures across multiple industries. His passion for food inspired him to create and operate standout restaurant concepts nationwide, earning recognition through numerous industry awards. With expertise as both franchisee and franchisor, he brings a unique understanding of the partnership at the heart of every franchise system. A longtime admirer of the Shoney's brand, he is committed to leading its resurgence with a focus on innovation, simplicity, and community involvement. He is also proud to support education and revitalization efforts through his service on several nonprofit boards.
Kamran Habeeb
President
Kamran Habeeb began his food service career over 31 years ago as a management trainee with Church's Chicken. In 1999, he became President of a Church's Chicken franchise operating 111 restaurants in Arizona, Northern and Southern California and Texas. Kamran brings to Shoney's a strong foundation for managing the people, processes and companies within a franchise system.
Steve Neuroth
Chief Financial Officer
Steve Neuroth brings over a decade of experience serving in financial leadership roles within the restaurant industry. He spent the first part of his career working in investment management where his experience included mergers and acquisitions within the restaurant industry. Steve earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Catherine Hite
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Catherine's been lead legal counsel in the process of bringing to life CEO David Davoudpour's 2007 promise to bring the Shoney's brand back to its glory days, keeping the brand's hometown feel while bringing it into the digital and global age. Her activities include franchise law, commercial contracts, M&A, commercial real estate, employment law, compliance, intellectual property, marketing, e-commerce, risk management, insurance, and business operations. She is licensed to practice in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Catherine received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law.
Terri Harof
VP of Franchise Sales & Real Estate for Shoney's and Shoney's on the Go.
With 12+ years of franchise development experience and deep roots in hospitality, Terri has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs find the right opportunity, navigate the franchise process with confidence, and build businesses that thrive for the long term. Terri is passionate about connecting the right entrepreneurs with the right opportunity — and supporting them every step of the way. She is thrilled to be back with the Shoney's family and would love to talk with you about what franchise ownership could look like for you.
Gill Duff
Chief Marketing Officer
Gill is a proven business and marketing leader. He has helped blue-chip global, national, and regional companies grow their brands and business by creating creative, compelling, and effective marketing and advertising programs. He has helped build some of the most famous brands in the world from FedEx and AT&T to Budweiser and Kraft Foods. Gill has led teams that created successful and highly awarded marketing programs that delivered a positive impact on growth and brand building. His retail experience involved franchisees, as did his extensive experience in the beer industry working with wholesalers/distributors. As CEO of two major advertising agencies, he helped both grow their topline revenue and creative reputation while widening their experience base beyond traditional advertising into new, integrated marketing channels.
Eric Cleveland
Executive Chef
Eric delivers over 25 years of experience in the food service and restaurant industry. Chef Cleveland's wealth of culinary expertise, sales and training proficiency ranges from casual and family dining to food service vendors. Eric is an active member of the RCA, ICCA and ACF and continues to gain culinary knowledge through continuing education classes with the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and Napa Valley. He and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
Bill Bertram
Legal Counsel
Bill has experience in the practice of various aspects of the law including real estate transactions, real estate litigation, tort litigation and trial litigation. During the last ten years, he has represented nationally known corporate clients in general corporate and legal needs throughout the continental United States with respect to general operations, including restaurant/office/retail property leasing and acquisition. In addition to practicing law, Bill also built out, owned and operated two fast-casual restaurants, which allows him to bring a unique understanding of the different aspects of a restaurant business to his work. Bill received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Bill is licensed to practice law in Georgia, Kentucky and Florida.