Bobby Pancake named chairman of Restaurant Association board

The Delaware Restaurant Association has added several new members to its board of directors and announced a new slate of executive officers for 2014, led by new Chairman Bobby Pancake.

Pancake is an industry leader who has brought the Buffalo Wild Wings franchise to Delaware and Maryland. He and partner Steve Wheat have opened eight locations and currently oversee 625 employees. Their franchising partnership, High Five LLC, was awarded the 2010 Small Business Success Award, culminating in a visit to the White House to meet President Barack Obama to discuss small business.

Pancake was awarded the 2009 Buffalo Wild Wings Founders Award, celebrating those who share the vision, enthusiasm, work ethic and humility of the brand. Pancake has also served on the board of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo Wild Wings Political Action Committee.

Steve Montgomery of The Starboard and Bethany Blues will serve as vice chairman of the board of directors for the DRA; Jeff Cook of 2 Fat Guys will serve as treasurer; and Matt DiSabatino steps into the role of immediate past chairman following his year of chairmanship in 2013.

Other additions to the board of directors are Mashoor Awad, IHOP franchise owner; Mike Gershenfeld, president of Sysco Eastern Maryland; Tom Hannum, owner of Buckley’s Tavern; Paul Ruggierio, president of NKS Distributors; and Michael Stiglitz, owner of Two Stones Pub.

“We are extremely thankful to be able to work with such a distinguished group of industry leaders to give shape and insight to our association” says DRA President and CEO Carrie Leishman.

The Delaware Restaurant Association’s is the state trade association dedicated to promoting, protecting and educating Delaware’s foodservice industry. Delaware’s 2,000 restaurants employ more than 40,000 people with an economic impact of more than $1.3 billion in annual sales. Delaware restaurants are the largest small business employer in the state and the largest component of Delaware’s tourism industry.