Paul Tuennerman

Paul Tuennerman | Multi-Unit Restaurant Operator & Growth Leader

Operator, Builder, Fixer.

I lead restaurant brands through growth and change—aligning people, process, and P&L. From new-market entries to operational resets, my focus is durable unit economics and guest-obsessed culture.

Download Resume (PDF)

Executive Career History

“At Sticky's, we rebuilt the playbook to make growth repeatable—without losing the energy that made the brand.”

Sticky's Finger Joint — EVP · Board · Investor (2021–2024)

Repositioned the brand and recalibrated operations to strengthen unit economics in dense urban markets. Built a scalable opening playbook and advised on capital allocation and franchising priorities. Instituted SOPs, training rhythms, and dashboards to tighten labor and COGS control.

Dat Dog — Chief Executive Officer (2018–2020)

Reset culture and standards while rebuilding the leadership bench for consistent execution. Centralized reporting to bring real-time visibility to KPIs and store performance. Advanced prototype and market plans to support regional growth.

Raising Cane's — SVP, Business Development (2008–2016)

Expanded from 7 to 21 states; led initial international entry in the Middle East. Scaled non-traditional channels—universities, airports, stadiums, and retail venues. Partnered with franchisees to grow from 13 to 83 units, contributing roughly $224M revenue in 2016.

Core Strengths

Multi-Unit Operations
P&L Leadership
Turnarounds
International Expansion
Franchise & Non-Traditional Growth
Process Optimization & SOPs
Cross-Functional Leadership
Change Management
Culture Building
Customer Experience

How I Lead

My leadership philosophy is simple: hire for heart, train for skill, measure what matters, and celebrate progress. Clarity and cadence—daily huddles, clean scorecards, and visible goals—turn strategy into store-level results.

Quick Contact

Location: Diamondhead, MS
Phone: 504-402-0208
Email: tuennerman@mac.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tuennerman