Bio

Abe has more than 24 years of experience in the restaurant industry with particular expertise in operations, franchising, general management, international business development and new country openings. Abe started his career with PepsiCo’s restaurant division (now Yum! Brands), where he held several progressive roles up to, most recently, Executive Director of Iberia (Pizza Hut and KFC). In 2004, he joined Starbucks Coffee at their European HQ in Amsterdam as General Manager for 13 EMEA countries, Head of Operations and later Director of New Markets, responsible for all new country openings. Following a stint at Krispy Kreme as VP of Franchise Operations for the EMEA region, Abe set-up his own consultancy firm in 2013, focused on helping mid-market restaurant groups such as Wagamama, Quick Restaurants and LEON, with their domestic and international expansion. Abe holds an MBA from London Business School, an MEM from George Washington University and a BSc in Marine Engineering from USCGA. He is fluent in Spanish.