Emily Durham began her career with operations-level positions as server, bartender, cook and hostess, she worked her way through the back of the house as a caterer and restaurant executive chef.

President of Houston based Restaurant Connections, where she assists restaurant operators and investors with site selection and lease negotiations as well as consumer and market research to help ensure the right locations.

In addition to hands-on experience, Emily holds a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from New York Institute of Technology and an MBA from Rice University in Houston where she specialized in strategy and marketing. She put her practical and academic experience to work together as Controller for a fast casual restaurant group and then went on to lead the marketing and business development effort for a financial process outsourcing firm to the restaurant industry.

As an advisor, Emily has worked with restaurant organizations on consumer research, strategic planning, marketing, and other operations related projects. She is also an contributor to Restaurant Startup & Growth magazine and RestaurantOwner.com.

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