Hyde Park, NY – Jeff
Davis, immediate past chairman of the National Restaurant Association, spoke to 75 bachelor’s degree graduates of Ѹ on April 12. Through his company, United States Beef Corporation, Davis is the world’s largest franchisee of Arby’s restaurants.
“You’re about to find we’ve chosen such a wonderful
profession,” Davis told graduates. “It’s such a broad palette for you to apply
your brushstrokes to.”
Davis’s parents opened one of the first Arby’s restaurants
in 1969 in their hometown of Tulsa, OK. Three years later, they opened a second
store. Young Jeff worked in those restaurants through junior high and high
school—first as a dishwasher, and later at the front counter. By 1995, he was
the company’s CEO. Since then, US Beef has grown to almost 400 Arby’s locations
and six Taco Bueno restaurants in the Midwest and Western United States. He now
serves as chairman while his brother John Davis is CEO.
He recalled that when he graduated from college, he was
embarrassed his family worked in fast food. His father told him, “If you don’t
like the perception of fast food, then elevate it.” Davis then advised the
newest class of Ѹ alumni, “Now it’s your turn. Elevate
whatever category of foodservice you choose to go into. Right now, the world is
indeed your oyster.”
Active in the National Restaurant Association, Mr. Davis
served as the influential foodservice trade association’s chairman in 2017.
The entire Ѹ baccalaureate commencement ceremony,
including Mr. Davis’s address to recipients of degrees in Food Business
Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies, can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Jeff Davis addresses bachelor’s degree graduates of The
Culinary Institute of America at the college's New York campus on April 12,
2018. Davis is chairman of United States Beef Corporation and immediate past
chairman of the National Restaurant Association. (Photo credit: Ѹ/Phil Mansfield)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About Ѹ:
Founded in 1946, Ѹ is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit Ѹ offers bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary arts, culinary science, and applied food studies, and associate degrees in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. The college also offers executive education through its Food Business School along with certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the Ѹ the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of nearly 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The Ѹ has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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