John Benson is a seasoned expert in management consulting and an industry leader, currently serving as a Partner on the Restaurants, Hospitality, Travel & Leisure team at AlixPartners. With nearly 20 years of experience, John has a proven track record of driving organizations to increased value through strategic, financial and operational improvement initiatives.
John specializes in revenue and growth strategy, labor optimization and four wall operations, procurement and sourcing, and organizational development. His expertise spans a wide range of industries including restaurants, convenience stores, food manufacturing and distribution, and other multi-site consumer services companies.
Key Engagements and Career Highlights:
- Developed and implemented an in-store profitability improvement program including food waste, labor and facilities cost reduction resulting in $10.0MM in annual run rate EBITDA improvement.
- Spearheaded manufacturing footprint optimization effort for manufacturer of foodservice / retail packaging materials that led to $25MM in annual benefits through 10 plant consolidations.
- Led an organizational restructuring for a large restaurant chain implementing a comprehensive re-franchising effort – initiative resulted in $25MM in annual benefits and aligned the company to support the go-forward strategy
In addition to his consulting expertise, John brings valuable leadership experience refined during his tenure as a logistics officer in the United States Marine Corps. His military background enhances his ability to deliver effective solutions in complex environments, drawing on leadership skills honed in challenging situations.
John holds an MBA with a focus on Strategic Management, Operations, and Finance from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BA in Economics from Wheaton College.
Throughout his career, John has earned accolades for his dedication, expertise, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for his clients. Frequently quoted in the media and sought-after speaker at key industry events, his insights and strategic vision make him a valuable asset to any organization aiming to thrive