SUCCESS DRIVEN BY GROWTH AND EXCELLENCE AT EVERY LEVEL
DARA DEJBAKHSH
Co-Founder & CEO
Dara is the co-founder and CEO of DND Groups, Inc. Dara contributes more than 35 years of experience in retailing, franchising, global operations, manufacturing, financial and general management to DND Groups.
As a young man, Dara began his career with Taco Bell. During his time with the PepsiCo company he was promoted several times from store manager to the corporate level. After 10 years with Taco Bell, Dara became the Regional Vice President for Rally’s Hamburgers. Where he managed the fastest growing and most profitable region in the country.
Dara later went on to become the Area Vice President (Marketing, Development & Operations), Executive VP, and Board Member for Allied Domecq (Dunkin Donuts, Togos, Baskin Robbins) where he oversaw territories in the Western USA, Asia Pacific, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. His territories were responsible for 1.3 billion dollars in sales and were comprised of over 4,000 stores. During his tenure with Allied Domecq he facilitated the opening of 350 units in a signal fiscal year. He led the creation and execution of a strategy in international markets to accelerate the rate of new unit development in the more profitable countries. Dara negotiated new and aggressive growth targets in Japan and South Korea which resulted in record performing years for both countries. He also headed the turn around of business in Canada and oversaw the completion of over 1,800 unit remodels, which resulted in positive sales growth after 10 years of negative year over year sales.
Prior to founding DND Groups Dara served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Mrs. Fields Famous Brands. During his time with Mrs. Fields Famous Brand he lead the effort to turn around several struggling brands by re-concepting, improving profit margins in manufacturing, and as a result he generated double digit year over year sales growth.
NADER DEJBAKHSH
Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer
Nader is Co-founder and President of DND Groups, Inc. Nader brings more than thirty-four years of executive experience in the field of accounting, tax and finance.
Nader began his career in accounting at as the Senior Accountant with Airshow, Inc., a subsidiary of Dynatec Corporation. He later served as Controller for Owen Groups, Inc., the second largest architectural firm in Southern California. Nader went onto found Debash & Associates, where he was senior partner for 8 years. After growing the firm to 650 clients he sold Debash & Associates to a local firm. Prior to co-founding DND Groups Nader was CFO for the largest Mrs. Field Franchisee until 2008.
Nader is also the founder and CEO of the semi-professional soccer team, Orange County Football Club (OCFC). Nader holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from California State University, Fullerton. He is a member of National Association of Tax Professionals and National Society of Accountants.
DENNIS ULRICH
Chief Financial Officer
Dennis is Chief Financial Officer at DND Groups, Inc. Dennis brings with him his extensive experience in franchising, international operations, financial and general management.
Dennis began his career at Celanese Corporation and was ultimately the Director of Finance and Planning. Later, Dennis went on to spend 11 years with the Dunkin Group, where he was promoted 5 times, ultimately to the position of Vice President/CFO International. During his time with the Dunkin Group he oversaw territories in Asia Pacific. His territories generated 650 million dollars in sales annually and were comprised of 2,700 franchise stores. Prior to taking his current
position with DND Group, Dennis served as Vice President of Int’l Operations & Development and National Accounts for Mrs. Fields Famous Brands. He successfully grew international stores by more than 25% while increasing company earnings in excess of 100%, as well as increasing overall franchisee profitability.
Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and his Masters in Finance from St. John’s University in New York. He has also served as the President of Global Franchise Associate, Inc since 2007.
