Rosalyn Mallet
Travel & Leisure Category
Roz is the Founder, CEO and President of PhaseNext Hospitality – a multi brand franchise operating company. After decades of experience in large company leadership roles, Roz moved to the entrepreneurial side of business in 2009. Her comprehensive general management experience includes overseeing all functional areas, with an emphasis on operations, portfolio management, human resources, franchise systems development and financial planning and analysis.
Roz is a seasoned leader with extensive and diverse experience in enterprise strategy, transition planning, turnarounds, systems implementation, human capital development and franchise operations. She is recognized throughout the industry for her innovative approaches, financial and organizational development results, her ability to build sustainable talent pipelines and her commitment to positively impacting both the hospitality industry and her community. Roz has utilized her board roles throughout her career to influence business strategies, mentor CEOs and their leadership teams as well as role model the advantages of diversity and inclusion.
In Roz’s Own Words
How did you get your start in the foodservice industry?
At the end of my freshman year in college (St Mary’s U in San Antonio, TX), I went home to Houston and my brother recommended me for a cashier’s job at El Chico restaurant in Astroworld (a Six Flags amusement park). I was promoted to shift supervisor within 6 weeks. I became a restaurant manager for El Chico one week after my college graduation.
What do you enjoy most about your career in foodservice?
I had two job offers when I graduated... restaurant manager and the other was to be a high school teacher. I chose restaurants because I knew from my summer work that no two days would be exactly the same. Looking back, I have enjoyed my ability to have an impact on people’s careers and life experiences...from guests to team members to supplier partners to franchisors and the whole of the restaurant industry as a long term member of the National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation boards.
Tell us about a proud moment you’ve had along the way.
I believe in “paying it forward”. I was the beneficiary of great mentors in my early career. Wally Doolin (who is presenting the award to me) first hired me as a corporate Training Supervisor - to work on a new brand named Applebee’s Bar and Grill when I was 28 years old. He told me early on that I had an important point of view to share with the industry. Some of my proudest moments have been as a leader when I have identified a talented person for whichever organization I was working with that I could help move through the business to be more than an individual contributor. I have supported, coached and mentored many people as they grew to take more responsibility than they had before and/or moved up the corporate ladder. More importantly has been my commitment to mentoring people in the industry (especially women and people of color) to meet their career goals while identifying a way to have a positive impact on our industry and their communities.
How would your team describe you as a leader?
Passionate, intense, strategic, a role model and committed to the culture of the business. I’m a win/win leader. I cannot win alone.
What advice do you have for someone new to the foodservice industry?
Our industry is full of opportunities. If you identify a role that you can technically master and passionately execute...you can have a great career in the foodservice industry. You are not as successful as you could be if you only prioritize your individual needs and perspective. Set a goal to LEARN AND TEACH something new every day. Pay it forward!
What does being an IFMA Silver Plate recipient mean to you?
Winning the Silver Plate is an affirmation of my life’s work. It says that I am being recognized as more than a successful executive that does a good job. It confirms that I am recognized as a leader in our industry that goes beyond the work in order to have an impact on the people in my life AND to be a role model for those that I don’t know. I want my story to be an example that people who look like me can be whatever they aspire to be.
I recently watched a video of a toast from a close friend and mentor, a female industry CEO, on the night that I was inaugurated as NRA Chair of the Board: “I’ve worked with Roz in several roles. My toast is not about Roz, It is about all of the women that look up to Roz. She is the model of what can be for women that have no idea of what they can be... because for Roz, it’s not about her, it’s about the thousands of women who want to be like her”.
What is your favorite meal?
Spinach salad, simply grilled salmon, broccolini and a glass of great red wine.
Rosalyn Mallet was nominate by Ecolab
