Ronald DiNella
Ronald DiNella most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Go Roma, a six-unit chain of fast casual restaurants in the Chicagoland area. Transitioning the award winning Italian chain from its California based parent to a stand-alone brand poised for growth.
Prior to his acquisition of Go Roma, Mr. DiNella served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Morton’s Restaurant Group, a NYSE listed international chain of 77 upscale steakhouses. As CFO he was responsible for all financial, compliance, tax and technological aspects for the Morton’s restaurants.
Arriving at Morton’s in 1982, when there was only one Morton’s, Mr. DiNella was actively involved as Morton’s expanded to all major cities in the US opening more than 70 outlets. In 1998, Morton’s opened its first restaurant outside the US – in Singapore. Morton’s later opened steakhouses in Canada, Hong Kong, Macau and Mexico. Today, Morton’s international outlets are some of its most successful.
During his tenure with Morton’s, Mr. DiNella participated in two IPOs, a take private transaction, and in 2012, the ultimate sale of the company for nearly $200,000,000.
Mr. DiNella’s leadership was apparent during the depths of the worst recession in the US in 80 years when Morton’s sales fell off more than 25%. He spearheaded the company’s cost cutting efforts, avoiding loan defaults and guiding the turnaround, ultimately negotiating a new $75 million term loan.
Mr. DiNella was a strong proponent of developing Morton’s brand outside of the US, and oversaw the Company’s first international Joint Ventures in Mexico City and Shanghai, regularly negotiating with suitors from around the world.
Mr. DiNella has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Restaurant Association and remains on its board. He has also served on various committees of the Illinois CPA Society and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
As president of newly founded DiNella Hospitality LLC, he is investigating restaurant growth opportunities as he meets with operators in the US and Asia who are seeking to expand their brands.
Mr. DiNella is regularly invited to speak to hospitality leadership groups in the US and abroad on financial and technology matters.
Prior to his acquisition of Go Roma, Mr. DiNella served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Morton’s Restaurant Group, a NYSE listed international chain of 77 upscale steakhouses. As CFO he was responsible for all financial, compliance, tax and technological aspects for the Morton’s restaurants.
Arriving at Morton’s in 1982, when there was only one Morton’s, Mr. DiNella was actively involved as Morton’s expanded to all major cities in the US opening more than 70 outlets. In 1998, Morton’s opened its first restaurant outside the US – in Singapore. Morton’s later opened steakhouses in Canada, Hong Kong, Macau and Mexico. Today, Morton’s international outlets are some of its most successful.
During his tenure with Morton’s, Mr. DiNella participated in two IPOs, a take private transaction, and in 2012, the ultimate sale of the company for nearly $200,000,000.
Mr. DiNella’s leadership was apparent during the depths of the worst recession in the US in 80 years when Morton’s sales fell off more than 25%. He spearheaded the company’s cost cutting efforts, avoiding loan defaults and guiding the turnaround, ultimately negotiating a new $75 million term loan.
Mr. DiNella was a strong proponent of developing Morton’s brand outside of the US, and oversaw the Company’s first international Joint Ventures in Mexico City and Shanghai, regularly negotiating with suitors from around the world.
Mr. DiNella has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Restaurant Association and remains on its board. He has also served on various committees of the Illinois CPA Society and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
As president of newly founded DiNella Hospitality LLC, he is investigating restaurant growth opportunities as he meets with operators in the US and Asia who are seeking to expand their brands.
Mr. DiNella is regularly invited to speak to hospitality leadership groups in the US and abroad on financial and technology matters.