About Rick Stark Rick Stark brings over 20 years of senior executive experience in driving strategy, integration and execution for business planning and process improvements. He is a proven industry expert utilizing innovative thinking and in-depth knowledge to grow businesses within domestic and international markets. He was one of the founding partners of East Side Mario's which is one of Canada's top 3 Casual dining Restaurant Brands. During his tenure at Prime Restaurants he led the company's expansion to a 700% increase in revenue. Rick demonstrates with continuous success his ability to conceptualize strategies, encompassing the integration of multi-faceted functions, mergers and management buy-outs. He executes strategies that move as fast as an organization has the capacity to move - fully understanding market developments and pace. He drives organizational growth; varying the development strategy and tactics depending on the needs of the company.

Proven successes include: Leading Prime Restaurants from $50 million to $350 million in system sales. Grew Prime Restaurants to be one of the most successful casual dining operations in Canada. Contributing to this success was key leadership in: - a merger - a management buy-out - a public offering as an Income Trust - expansion into 16 different jurisdictions - Prime is recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for 7 consecutive years (2000-2006) Structured and arranged National Franchisee Financing Programs with Royal Bank, CIBC, GE Capital and Citicapital for in excess of $100 million and forward facilities in excess of $50 million. A Founding Partner of East Side Mario's, now accounting for 65% of total system wide sales and becoming Prime's Premier Brand. As Owner and Operator of Casey's Franchise, has first hand knowledge of operations from ownership perspective. Realigned the Xerox Sales Force and Asset Allocation (Real Estate) Model, thereby developing Fully Integrated Xerox locations and the Agents Program. This became the primary distribution method for mid range products. Career History Senior Vice President and Partner, Corporate Development 1989 - 2006 Reporting to the CEO and Chairman Prime Restaurants Vice President of Development 1987 - 1989 A Founding Partner of East Side Mario's, Florida Yesac Creative Foods Franchisee, Casey's of Windsor, Ontario 1984 - 1987 Owner & Operator Senior Manager of Strategic Planning & Organizational Structure Xerox Canada Inc., Prior to 1984