John started his career in the restaurant business at the age of 16 when he went to work at “Grandy’s” restaurant in Jefferson City, Missouri. By the age of 18, he was promoted to an Assistant Manager and began to realize that fast food was more than just a job. It could be a profitable career.
In April of 1991 John began his career with RTM, Arby’s largest franchisee, as an Assistant Manager. Over the next thirteen years He would work his way up to eventually being the Mid-America Region President. As Region President he served as a member of RTM's Executive Committee and served on the Operations Executive Committee.
In 2004 he traded in his Partnership in RTM to become a franchisee of six units forming AES Restaurant Group. Fourteen years later AES has become the fourth largest franchisee with 72 units in five states.
He has won numerous awards and has spent time on serving on various boards in and out of the industry. John currently serves on the Arbys Franchisee Association board.