Restaurants
10 restaurant menu development experts
These ten professionals have led menu development and menu innovation at restaurant chains, in roles such as director of menu development, director of menu innovation and head of menu development. A reader can learn how restaurant chains develop and launch new menu items.
Professionals to explore
01—10Anne Albertine
LinkedInExperience: Director of Menu Development & Culinary Innovation · IHOP
Former Director of Menu Development & Culinary Innovation at IHOP (2010–2014), Director Of Research Development at Del Taco (2014–2020) and Head of Menu Development & Innovation Restaurant Platforms at 7-Eleven (2022–2023). Other roles include Principal Culinary Catalyst, Start-Up Business at Catalyst Culinary Consultants (2020–2022).
Barbie King
LinkedInExperience: Director, Menu Innovation · Dave & Buster's Inc.
Director, Menu Innovation at Dave & Buster's Inc. since June 2023. Former Senior Manager, Culinary Innovation at Main Event (2021–2023). At Pizza Hut the roles were Director, Product Develoment (2019–2020), Senior Manager, Product Development (2016–2019) and Manger, Product Development (2007–2016).
Brad Bergaus
LinkedInExperience: Corporate Chef, Director of Menu Innovation · Taco John's International, Inc.
Corporate Chef, Director of Menu Innovation at Taco John's International, Inc. since September 2020. At Buffalo Wild Wings the roles were Culinary Manager, Product Development & Innovation (2018–2020), Culinary Innovation Specialist, R&D (2017–2018) and Test Kitchen Coordinator, R&D (2016–2017).
Deb Schildts
LinkedInExperience: Director, Global Menu Development · Burger King
Former Director, Global Menu Development at Burger King (1998–2011), Director, International Product Development at Denny's (2012–2016) and Director, Menu Services at Zaxbys (2019–2021). Former Director, Culinary at Auntie Anne's (2021–2025), where the profile says this person directed all aspects of culinary R&D and menu strategy and delivered new products for menu relevance.
Gabriel Montauti
LinkedInExperience: Director, International Menu & Product Development · Denny's
Director, International Menu & Product Development at Denny's since July 2021. Other Denny's roles include Sr. Manager, International Menu and Product Development (2020–2021), International Culinary Project Manager (2016–2020) and Product Development Operations Specialist (2013–2016).
Kristi Cobb Bullock
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Menu Innovation · Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Senior Director Menu Innovation at Tropical Smoothie Cafe since February 2023, and Director Menu Innovation there (2021–2023). Former Senior Director Menu Strategy & Innovation at Inspire (2013–2020), Senior Products Manager at The Honey Baked Ham Company, LLC (2011–2013) and Director Brand Management at Arby's (1998–2011).
Michael Krimmer
LinkedInExperience: Director Menu & Culinary Innovation · Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc.
Sr. Director Menu & Culinary Innovation at Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc. since March 2026, and Director Menu & Culinary Innovation there (2022–2026). At The Wendy's Company the roles were Manager, Culinary Innovation (2018–2022), Lead R&D Technologist (2013–2018) and Sr. R&D Technologist (2013).
Nicola Pitman
LinkedInExperience: Director of Global Menu Innovation · McDonald's
Director of Global Menu Innovation at McDonald's since May 2023, with a Director of Global Menu Innovation (Chicken) role there since July 2025. Other McDonald's roles include Director, Menu Management (2015–2023), Senior Food Development Manager, European Food Studio (2012–2015) and Food Development Manager, McDonalds UK (2006–2012).
Peter Czizek
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Culinary and Menu Strategy · Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar
Former Vice President of Culinary and Menu Strategy at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar (2013–2014), Vice President of Culinary, Quality Assurance, & Supply Chain at Long John Silver's, LLC (2015–2019) and Vice President of Food & Beverage R & D at Dave & Buster's Inc. (2005–2013). Director Culinary Innovation at Denny's since June 2021.
Quinn Adkins
LinkedInExperience: Director of Menu Development · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Former Director of Menu Development at Culver Franchising System, LLC (2015–2023), Executive Chef, R&D -- Product Development Manager at Olga's Kitchen (2009–2015) and Test-Lab Executive Chef at TGI Fridays (2006–2008). The profile describes 16 years in menu innovation and R&D, specializing in multi-unit menu development.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's restaurant segment to yours, since quick service, fast casual, casual dining and entertainment dining chains develop menus under different kitchen, speed and price limits. Also consider whether you need someone focused on culinary creation in the test kitchen or someone who managed the menu as a whole, including rollouts across many locations.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you take a new menu item from test kitchen concept to a launch across hundreds of restaurants?
- 02How do you test whether a new item will sell before committing to a full rollout?
- 03How do you keep new items simple enough for restaurant crews to execute consistently?
Reaching restaurant menu development experts
How can I contact one of these restaurant menu development experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including IHOP; Dave & Buster's Inc. and Taco John's International, Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach restaurant menu development experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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