Dan Searby is a Managing Director with ZRG. Dan has spent his entire career in the consumer and retail/foodservice sectors, working on both the manufacturer and multi-unit operator sides before entering executive search in 2005.

Prior to joining ZRG, for fifteen years, Dan led senior-level searches for two search boutiques, The Elliot Group and Herbert Mines Associates. Dan has developed a deep restaurant industry specialization and conducted significant search work in broader CPG, hospitality, retail, consumer services, and foodservice manufacturing.

He has led extensive CEO and President-level searches and in the last ten years, 78% of his searches have been at the C-Suite level across all functions, and 71% of Dan’s searches have been conducted on behalf of private equity or private capital portfolio companies. He has built long-term relationships in the foodservice and restaurant sectors, industries where relationships still matter.

Before entering the search world, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Restaurant Associates/Patina Group, a storied, $250 million, New York-based restaurant operator and contract feeder that was a Compass Group subsidiary. Dan started his career at the Coca-Cola Company, where he served in headquarters and field roles for over 15 years, ran the New York/Tri-State foodservice market, and later, oversaw the Northeastern National Accounts (foodservice) team.

Dan graduated cum laude with a BA from Vanderbilt University and earned his MBA from Harvard University. He also completed coursework toward a master’s degree in theology.

Dan and his family live on Long Island and enjoy international travel when schedules and public health circumstances permit. He is active in his church, his community, and in not-for-profit development work. In addition, Dan is an avid tennis player.