Executive Certification in Restaurant Franchising, Technology, Real Estate, and Investment
About the Course
This executive certification course at the UNLV Lee Business School is tailored for hospitality leaders seeking to deepen their expertise in restaurant franchising, technology, real estate, and investment. The course delivers executive-level business training specific to the restaurant industry and its investment community. Topics include:
- Restaurant concept development
- Site selection
- Restaurant growth
- Third-party delivery
- People development
- Franchise development
- Digital marketing
- Technology integration
- Operations
- Dynamics between multi-brand franchisors and franchisees
- Valuation
- Financing
- Restaurant private equity
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
- Initial public offering (IPO) preparation
- Corporate spin-offs
- Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) acquisitions
- Portfolio expansion
Participants will benefit from direct engagement with accomplished industry leaders who serve as executive coaches, offering real-world insights and best practices. Grounded in academic research and business theory, this course bridges the gap between the classroom and the boardroom. It equips participants with analytical tools, strategic frameworks, and applied knowledge to lead effectively in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving restaurant landscape.
Please note: This executive certification course is not for academic credit.
Course Format
The course takes place over three days and includes:
- Instructor-led lectures
- Executive guest speaker sessions
- Case study analysis
- Class discussions
- Guided restaurant tours
Breakfast and lunch are included. Course materials and assignments will be distributed and submitted electronically using Google Drive.
Meet Your Instructor
This course is taught by Cervantes Lee, Ed.D., a passionate hospitality business professor who teaches for the UNLV Lee Office of Executive Education. Lee is widely recognized as one of the nation’s rare executive-level professors specializing in multi-unit restaurant management – uniquely bridging the worlds of East and West with deep cultural fluency and business insight.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Participate
This course is designed for chairpersons, chief executive officers (CEOs), and principal shareholders—such as private equity and venture capital investors or controlling family members—of high-growth restaurant companies seeking U.S. market entry, public or dual listing opportunities, and international expansion. Companies may also select:
- Key company executives, such as the chief investment officer (CIO), chief financial officer (CFO), board secretary, executive vice president (EVP), chief operating officer (COO), president of U.S. operations, portfolio manager, and head of asset management.
- Senior functional leaders within restaurant enterprises, such as the director of consumer insights, head of supply chain, head of real estate, financial controller, head of digital integration, vice president of operations services, and general counsel
Each company may nominate up to two participants per course.
Education/Work Experience Requirements
A college-level background in economics, accounting, and statistics is recommended to help participants grasp the financial and analytical concepts covered in the course.
Alternatively, eight to 15 or more years of hands-on experience in restaurant operations and management may sufficiently meet these knowledge areas. This is especially applicable to participants who have:
- Overseen multi-unit operations
- Led cross-functional teams
- Been involved in strategic planning, capital allocation, or human resources
- Directed store expansion or growth strategies
This kind of practical experience enables participants to engage deeply with the course and apply insights directly to real-world business challenges.
Registration
Complete our registration form to register for the 2025 cohort.