Neal Yanofsky’s career has spanned several industries, with the common thread of developing and executing strategies that drive competitive advantage and shareholder value. He is a strategic architect with an execution orientation, consulting to CEOs in the retail, consumer services and restaurant industries, and to private equity and venture capital firms that invest in these businesses.
Neal’s current and recent board positions and advisory engagements include Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen (chairman), Specialty Dental Brands, Hissho Sushi, Lifespace Communities (chair), Wetzel's Pretzels, and Mobee. He has worked for investors such as L Catterton, JANA Partners, AEA Investors, Vinik Family Office, CenterOak Partners and Leon Capital.
Previously, Neal served as President, International of Dunkin’ Brands, where he was responsible for all of the firm’s operations outside the U.S., comprising 7,000 Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins locations in more than 50 countries. Neal was President of Panera Bread, the definitive leader in the “quick casual” segment of the restaurant industry. During Neal’s tenure Panera’s system-wide sales tripled to over $2.5 billion and the company’s stock generated the highest compounded annual growth in the restaurant industry.
In addition to his operating experience Neal spent ten years at Fidelity Investments. As Vice President of Fidelity Ventures he was responsible for re-starting Fidelity’s venture capital program, forming and managing a group investing predominantly in early-stage health care technology companies and producing returns almost double the industry average.
Neal received his A.B. from Harvard College and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was a post-graduate fellow at London School of Economics. He lives in Dallas.