DANNY BENDAS
Danny Bendas, a Managing Partner of Synergy Restaurant Consultants since 1989, has more than 30 years of practical food service experience and has worked for numerous restaurant operations ranging from quick-serve to fine dining establishments. Following his culinary education, Danny became opening chef at Houlihan’s Old Place in Kansas City, Mo., and was rapidly promoted to the position of the company’s first regional/corporate chef.
Later in his career, Danny was chef at the acclaimed American Restaurant in Kansas City; Director of Operations for American Food Service Enterprises (food service division of Hallmark Cards) in Kansas City; and Vice President, Food & Beverage for Nanco Enterprises in Santa Barbara, Calif., an operator of a nationwide chain of casual theme and steakhouse restaurants. At Synergy, he has partnered with more than 225 clients, providing services ranging from new concept development, menu innovation, and operations assessments to strategic planning and management development.
Danny earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, an AAS degree from Bucks County Community College, and an AOS from the Culinary Institute of America, where he was the recipient of the Waldorf Astoria Scholastic Achievement Award.
WHAT I’D EAT FOR MY LAST MEAL:
A tossup between a Philly cheese steak with Cheese Wiz or a heart attack-on-a-plate fettuccini alfredo
“My favorite part of my job is the immense internal feeling that we’ve helped clients be successful, or more successful, and they know they’ve made a friend who always has their best interests at heart.”