10 Steak n Shake operations leaders
Chief Operations Officer, Vice President Operations and Division President of Franchise Operations are among the current titles held by these Steak n Shake operations leaders. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Steak n Shake from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Chris Riker
LinkedInExperience: Division President · Steak n Shake
Chris Riker has been Division President at Steak n Shake since November 2022, and the listing places them in Indianapolis. They were Director Of Operations at Whataburger (2018–2022), Chief Operating Officer at Hart Restaurant Management, Inc. (2015–2018) and Director of Operations at Arby's Restaurant Group (2008–2011).
Christopher Mitchell
LinkedInExperience: Division President of Franchise Operations · Steak n Shake
Christopher Mitchell has been Division President of Franchise Operations at Steak n Shake since June 2022, covering SW Florida. They were Region Director at AVI Foodsystems (2007–2022), Market Manager at Taco Bell (2006–2007) and Managing Partner at Papa Johns (1993–2005).
Dan Edwards
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operations Officer · Steak n Shake
Dan Edwards has been Chief Operations Officer at Steak n Shake since March 2024, and the listing places them in Greater Philadelphia. The profile also lists Chairman of the Board at Solé Water from November 2025, and they were President / Division Vice President at Cigars International (2020–2023).
Dennis Roberts
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President - Operations Excellence · Steak n Shake
Dennis Roberts has been Senior Vice President - Operations Excellence at Steak n Shake since September 2008, and the listing places them in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. They were Senior Business Advisor at Results Oriented Individuals (ROI) (2006–2008), COO & Executive VP at Money Mart (2001–2004) and COO & Executive VP at Uno Restaurant Corporation (2000–2001).
Jack Reed
LinkedInExperience: Division President · Steak n Shake
Jack Reed is a former Division President at Steak n Shake, holding the role from May 2022 to January 2025, and the listing places them in the Denver Metropolitan Area. They are now Vice President Operations at Smashburger, and were Vice President Operations at Bar Louie (2024–2025) and Executive Vice President at Jalapeno Tree Holdings LLC (2020–2022).
Jonathan Stanley
LinkedInExperience: Director of Labor (Operations Services) · Steak n Shake
Jonathan Stanley has been Director of Labor (Operations Services) at Steak n Shake since September 2021, based in Indianapolis. At Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. they were Vice President of Operation Services & Digital Operations (2020–2021), Franchise Administration Director (2018–2020) and Barbecue University Instructor (2016–2018).
Kathy McMahon
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Franchise Operations · Steak n Shake
Kathy McMahon is a former Director Of Franchise Operations at Steak n Shake, holding the role from August 2009 to March 2019, and the listing places them in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. They are now Director Of Operations at Franchise SNS, and were District Manager at The Wendy's Company (2020–2022) and General Manager at Panera Bread (2005–2009).
Rick Manzo
LinkedInExperience: Operations Support Director · Steak n Shake
Rick Manzo has been Operations Support Director at Steak n Shake since August 2026, covering North America. At Five Guys Enterprises they were Strategic Initiatives Director (2020–2025), East Coast Talent Acquisition Lead (2017–2020) and Franchise Business Consultant (2008–2017).
SHELBY WESLEY
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Steak n Shake
SHELBY WESLEY has been Director of Operations at Steak n Shake since January 2020, based in Dallas, and also held a Director of Operations role at Steak n Shake from 2016 to 2020. They were Regional Manager at Denny's (2013–2016), Big Boy Restaurants (2010–2013) and Hooters of America (2002–2010).
Stephen Orloski
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Steak n Shake
Stephen Orloski has been Vice President Operations at Steak n Shake since August 2024, and the listing places them in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They were Director of Retail Operations at Cigars International (2021–2024), and at SAMS CLUB they were Market Manager (2012–2021) and Club Manager (1997–2011).
Choose the right perspective
Match the side of the business in each person's title, company restaurants, franchise partners or operations services, to the decision you face. Weigh how recently each person took the role, since someone new to it and someone who has held it for years will describe different challenges.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you change first when you took on your operations role, and why?
- 02How does supporting franchise partners differ from running company-operated restaurants in your experience?
- 03Which part of your earlier career best prepared you for your current operations role, and why?
Reaching Steak n Shake operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Steak n Shake operations leaders?
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 1 company: Steak n Shake, based on profile data retrieved on October 24, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
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Can an AI agent ask one of these Steak n Shake operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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