Kent Dawdy
About Kent Dawdy
Kent Dawdy serves as the Director of Operations at Sonic, a position he has held since 2022. He has extensive experience in the restaurant industry, having previously worked in various leadership roles at Arby's and other companies.
Work at Inspire Brands
Kent Dawdy serves as the Director of Operations for Sonic at Inspire Brands, a position he has held since 2022. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, he focuses on management development and retention within the organization. His role involves implementing strategies that enhance operational efficiency and foster a culture of people development. Dawdy has contributed to Sonic's initiatives aimed at improving systems execution and margin performance.
Previous Experience in Restaurant Operations
Before joining Inspire Brands, Kent Dawdy held several key positions in the restaurant industry. He worked at Arby's Restaurant Group from 2002 to 2011, where he progressed from District Vice President of Operations to Vice President of Operations, and later served as Senior Director of Training. Dawdy also served as Regional Vice President at KBP Foods from 2011 to 2014 and as Vice President of Operations at GPS Hospitality from 2018 to 2020.
Education and Expertise
Kent Dawdy studied Liberal Arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, from 1987 to 1989. His educational background complements his extensive experience in the restaurant sector. He has developed expertise in creating a culture of people development within restaurant operations, focusing on management training and retention strategies.
Achievements in Operational Excellence
During his career, Kent Dawdy has implemented a culture of systems execution and margin improvement at Sonic. His leadership in operational roles has contributed to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness within the organizations he has worked for, particularly in the areas of training and management development.