Alonso Castañeda

Eager to inspire company growth, Alonso Castañeda is an innovative Operations and Concept Strategy Professional with expertise in new system implementation and roll-out, technology integration, sales, marketing, catering, field training and talent development. And that’s only the beginning. With a vast array of skills and an impres-sive background in the industry, Alonso has been fortunate to work within a variety of roles for new and existing markets and from full service restaurants to fast casual restaurants, Hotels and Resort F&B over a 20+ year career. 

Whether he is serving as a strategic coach or advisor or a talent de-veloper, there’s one thing that’s always remained consistent throughout his career. Transformation. Alonso doesn’t believe in sit-ting still or becoming stagnant as a company and especially as an in-dividual. Constant progress is what he’s always seeking and finding for himself and those around him and the brands he represents. A truly creative mind, he’s able to take the most complex of obstacles and find a way for true success, managing even multi-disciplinary projects with complete confidence. 

Alonso’s professional career began with Qdoba Mexica Grill in Colora-do when the brand only had 11 locations he excelled in the business quickly and passionately. Since then he has worked as a Director of Franchise Operations, Regional Manager, Director of F&B, Director of Sales and Store compliance and currently Vice President of Brand Development and Strategy for Four Foods Group and its Brands.  He has been directly involved in over 200 successful new store openings.  He received the RevGen award from Mercato Partners in 2017 for top revenue generator in the state of Utah with the FFG Brands.  He has worked with great companies such as Qdoba, Para-dise Bakery, Panera Bread and Café Rio.   

He currently represents Four Foods Group as VP of Brand Develop-ment & Strategy.  FFG currently owns and operates, Kneaders Bak-ery & Café, R & R BBQ, Mo’Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, Swig & Sweets and The Soda Shop.

He’s always been known for his uncanny ability to revamp and im-plement successful initiatives and sales growth and only continues to surpass his own goals with each passing year.  He’s developed a pro-found knack for improving efficiencies in restaurant operations, in-creasing sales, improving operational flow and customer experiences, and overall aiding in the transformation of each company from the inside out.

In recent years he has started to share his knowledge on off-premise operations, restaurant technology, 3rd party delivery, BOH efficien-cies and getting the industry ready for the on-demand economy.  He’s presented in industry events such as the Restaurant Franchise and Innovation Summit and the Fast-Casual Executive Summit as a speaker or panelist.  He has also been interviewed by industry pod-casts like Tastemakers and Brand Junkies