Ron Dorsten

Ron Dorsten is a strategic equipment and operations executive with a strong emphasis on
innovation and R&D within the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) industry. He develops and
implements operational strategies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability. With over
20 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of transforming the QSR sector through a
design-thinking approach that includes speed, accuracy, and quality in all restaurant operations.
While at McDonald’s and Steak n Shake, Ron was instrumental in implementing groundbreaking
technologies, including AI-driven solutions, digital menu board design, automated kitchen
solutions, and the post-COVID pandemic transformation of Steak n Shake restaurants from fullservice to self-service, leveraging kiosk technologies and workforce realignment. This change in the
delivery model led to a 110% increase in per-employee annual sales.

Recognized as a creative leader in the industry, Ron has driven significant operational
improvements at both Steak n Shake and McDonald’s over the past two decades, resulting in a
20% reduction in drive-thru times at Steak n Shake and a 30% increase in menu items at
McDonald’s. He managed budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation, optimizing supply
chain and inventory management to reduce costs. At Steak n Shake, he and his team led the
installation of facial recognition at self-ordering kiosks, leveraging biometric check-in and
checkout technology across its 300 U.S. locations, enabling digital interactions and payments
using consumer-initiated biometric verification.

He combines a background in mechanical engineering with a design-thinking approach, enabling
him to tackle complex challenges effectively. Focusing on enhancing the overall customer
experience, he implemented initiatives to improve service speed, accuracy, and quality. At
McDonald’s, he was pivotal in establishing the Innovation Operations Center (IOC), a group
dedicated to pioneering new technologies and strategies for the brand; creating the operating
platform for the restaurants to operate efficiently while adding capability for higher volume
capacity and menu complexity.

In addition to his work at McDonald’s and Steak n Shake, Ron has held global positions at Honda
and Borg Warner, showcasing his versatility and expertise in driving innovation and operational
excellence across diverse sectors. He developed and executed plans for market expansion,
collaborating with the executive team on strategic planning and business development initiatives.
In his spare time, Ron is an artist, painter, sculptor, and avid cyclist.