Who We Are — JEM Restaurant Group

JEM Restaurant Group is a diversified investment company located in Charleston, South Carolina. JEM owns and operates 100+ Taco Bell and Pizza Hut locations across South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In addition, JEM maintains an investment portfolio spanning multiple asset classes including commercial real estate, hospitality, residential and automotive.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to running great restaurants by treating our team members and customers as family. We take pride in serving our communities through teamwork and collaboration.

Core Values

Take Care of Each Other Like Family

We treat our people with the genuine care, respect, and accountability we’d give our own family—because that’s what we are. Whether it’s helping a teammate in need or backing up a restaurant on a tough day, we show up for each other. Our passion for people inspires us to celebrate and support each other through all of life’s moments.

We serve with urgency, pride, and a personal sense of responsibility. Great service doesn’t happen by accident—it’s something each of us own.

Own the Customer Experience

We work as one team—open, honest, and collaborative. We don’t point fingers; we solve problems side-by-side. Everyone contributes, and we all get better when we build on each other’s ideas and efforts. Great things happen when we work together and support one another at every level—because we #WinTogether

Win Together

We give our best in everything we do—because every detail matters. Every dollar counts. Every shift matters. Whether you’re managing one of our businesses or supporting behind the scenes, act like it’s your business. We win when we take ownership and make smart, profitable decisions.

Run it Like It’s Your Business

Never Settle—Grow the Business and Yourself

We’re always looking to improve—our operations, our people, and our results. We take pride in our performance and strive for excellence every day.

We’re committed to giving back and being an active, positive presence in our neighborhoods—because we care about the places where we live and work. #JEMPRIDE

Show Love in Our Community

John McGrath got his start at Taco Bell in 1997. He has dedicated his life to JEM Restaurant Group by operating over 100 Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. John believes strongly in giving back to the community and actively serves on the board of MUSC Children’s Hospital.

Warren Nelson joined the JEM Restaurant Group team in 2008 as President and CFO, overseeing all operations, real estate, capital growth, banking relations, and insurance. Warren brings over 40 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries, 30 years of which he served as a CFO. In January 2022, Warren stepped aside from his day-to-day responsibilities as President and currently serves in an advisory and consulting capacity, as well as serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the ALS Association.

Allen Wood

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

Allen Wood joined the JEM Restaurant Group team in 2020 as the CFO. Allen has devoted his career to finance and operations across several diverse industries, focusing on real estate finance and development. Allen oversees all finance, capital growth, and real estate initiatives for JEM Restaurant Group.

Daniel Medina’s operational roots started as a team member in the restaurant business back in 1995. Later, he joined Taco Bell in 2014 and became a part of the JEM Restaurant Group team in 2022 to serve as our Chief Operating Officer. Daniel strives to create an inclusive and fun workplace for all JEM Restaurant Group employees by using a hands-on approach to his leadership.

Laurie Dewey

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER EMERITUS

Laurie Dewey began her career in operations with Taco Bell in 1978 and served as Chief Operating Officer at JEM Restaurant Group for 12 years. Stepping down at the end of 2022 Laurie brings over 40 years of experience in the franchise restaurant industry. Since January 2023, Laurie serves in an advisory and consulting capacity to the JEM operations team.

Melissa Benson has spent her entire career in the restaurant business, holding a variety of operational and leadership positions at JEM Restaurant Group. As a driving force behind the establishment of JEM Restaurant Group, she has played a pivotal role in laying its solid foundation. In her role as Chief People Officer, her unwavering commitment to our people is evident through her genuine care and support for our teams.

Julie Ann Brunkard began her Taco Bell career as a Team Member over 27 years ago. She now guides our West Florida teams as a Market Coach. Julie truly shines in this role and even counts two Golden Bell awards to her name!

Andre Dyson brings 20 years of Taco Bell experience to our team. He began his career as a restaurant team member and now leads our team as a Market Coach for our Taco Bell Charleston teams. Andre Dyson excels at preparing and pushing our teams to be their very best!

Jonathan Gonzalez began his career as a Taco Bell team member over 14 years ago. He now serves as a Market Coach in the Tampa Market. Jonathan is inspired by his father, a Market Training Manager with Taco Bell and 8x Golden Bell Winner himself.

Bryan Shower established his career with Taco Bell as a 16-year-old Team Member and has been with Taco Bell for over 32 years. As Market Coach, Bryan excels at guiding, training, and growing the JEM team in Central Florida. Bryan even met his wife of 30 years at Taco Bell!

Randy Thompson brings over 20 years of experience from Pizza Hut to JEM Restaurant Group. He is currently a Market Coach for our Charleston and Southeastern markets. Randy lights up the room with his attentive leadership and creates an enjoyable work experience for all employees.

Ellen Branson serves as the Controller by overseeing all accounting and reporting functions for JEM Restaurant Group. She has over 34 years of experience in finance and accounting. Ellen joined JEM Restaurant Group in 2016.

Don Willis
VP OF REAL ESTATE AND DEVLELOPMENT

Don Willis manages all real estate activity for JEM Restaurant Group and serves as our Vice President of Real Estate. He has 20 years of financial and operational experience in land development, hospitality, healthcare, and commercial construction. Don joined the JEM Restaurant Group team in 2019.