Rick Godwin, MBA
About Rick Godwin, MBA
Rick Godwin is the Operations Director for Dunkin Restaurants at Inspire Brands, where he has worked since 2011. He previously held leadership roles at Denny's, Blockbuster, and Public Storage, demonstrating a strong background in operations management and business development.
Current Role at Inspire Brands
Rick Godwin serves as the Operations Director for Dunkin Restaurants at Inspire Brands. He has held this position since 2011, contributing over 13 years of experience in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina area. In this role, he has been instrumental in overseeing operational strategies and ensuring adherence to brand standards. His leadership has facilitated significant growth within the Dunkin' brand.
Previous Experience in Operations Management
Before joining Inspire Brands, Rick Godwin held several key positions in operations management. He served as the Division Vice President of Operations at Denny's from 2000 to 2001, where he managed operational system requirements and food safety systems. Additionally, he worked as a Regional Manager at Blockbuster from 2001 to 2005 and as Regional Vice President at Public Storage from 2005 to 2009. His diverse background in operations has equipped him with a broad skill set applicable to the restaurant industry.
Education and Expertise
Rick Godwin earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Marketing from the University of South Carolina Upstate, completing his studies in 2010. He furthered his education by obtaining an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University's Michael J. Coles College of Business between 2013 and 2015. His educational background supports his expertise in operations and strategic management within the food service sector.
Achievements in Growth and Development
Throughout his career, Rick Godwin has achieved notable milestones in operational growth. At Dunkin Restaurants, he has directed efforts that resulted in over 200 new openings within four years. He also played a pivotal role in transforming a decade of stagnant growth into three consecutive record-setting years for new store openings. His strategic engagement with franchisees has doubled the Atlanta market in three years, demonstrating his effectiveness in driving profitability.
Contributions to Industry Standards
Rick Godwin has made significant contributions to operational standards in the restaurant industry. At Denny's, he directed the operations requirements for public accommodations policies following a landmark Justice Department settlement in 1994. His involvement in ensuring compliance with brand standards and operational excellence has been a consistent theme throughout his career.