Dan Gallo, Chief Executive Officer of Degani
On increasing shareholder return, brand accountability and supporting franchisees.
QSR Media: What makes you excited about your new position?
Dan Gallo: I am excited to be back in the coffee industry and eager to deliver our unique, tailored Degani experience to local communities around Australia and in international markets. This is my first position as CEO, so as much as I anticipate challenges, it is an exciting career milestone which will allow me to utilise all the skills and experience I have gained over the past two decades. I will maximise shareholder value and create an exciting, people focused environment for all Degani stakeholders.
QSR Media: What 3 goals are you focussed on?
Gallo: Maintaining and expanding our relevant food retail experience. Degani prides itself on offering the freshest dining options to suit particular markets. As we expand we are focused on keeping local relevance.
Increasing shareholder return is a major focus for all CEO’s and sustainable, profitable business operations will be my main focus.
I will seek new and innovative ways to drive brand performance, business partnerships and maximise market share.
QSR Media: What will you do differently in this position?
Gallo: I will be shaping the business into a unique franchise model, bringing consistency across all stores, but allowing our franchise business partners the freedom of individuality, which remains true to the brand. With this in mind, I place a huge emphasis on providing the strongest of business support for our franchise business partners and create just that – a partnership.
Furthermore, I will be taking the brand to an international stage with a growth and expansion plan to commence this year.
QSR Media: What changes are you planning on?
Gallo: I am placing a strong focus on aggressive expansion and will be changing systems and structures to further develop brand accountability for Degani. I will also be implementing strategic plans for one, three and five years.
QSR Media: What are your key business philosophies?
Gallo: I believe every engagement and relationship built within a business must be ethical and have the brand’s best interest at the forefront. I have made it my business to know every aspect of Degani and I will be working to add value to each facet of the business, something I feel is integral to developing success.
Another key philosophy for me is to surround myself with a highly functional and outcome focused team, something I will be looking to develop and add to as growth allows.
QSR Media: What previous positions prepared you for this one and how?
Gallo: I have worked within the FMCG and franchise business sector for over two decades and I have grown with the changes which has brought me the knowledge to know what works and what doesn’t. Drawing on my experiences, coupled with my vision for the future, I am confidently able to successfully lead the development and execution of Degani’s long term business strategy.
Through my job history, I have successfully lead and implemented equity operations, JV arrangements, instilled profitable unit economics, built business franchising models and lead and managed business partnerships and leadership teams to achieve the best results. It is these decades of experience, working with some of the biggest FMCG companies within Australia and overseas, that has prepared me for this role.
