ABOUT CANER
International leadership.
Grounded in operations.
Caner Gursoy · MBA
Senior international F&B executive with experience across restaurant operations, franchise growth, business transformation and regional P&L leadership.
Experience behind the perspective
My career has connected brand strategy with the work required to deliver it across markets: developing franchise partnerships, leading regional teams, adapting operating models and building the conditions for sustainable growth.
At Dunkin’ Brands and subsequently Inspire, my regional responsibilities spanned Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the India Subcontinent and Australia. That experience informs the questions I explore here: how brands remain relevant locally, how partners create value, and how unit economics translate ambition into repeatable growth.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
3,000+ stores
Regional P&L remit described in my career profile, alongside CPG and foodservice businesses.
DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
1,200+ openings
New-store openings across eight years, as reported in my career profile.
Selected leadership experience
Managing Consultant & Strategic Advisor
Current role · Independent
I advise private equity firms and executive leadership teams across the F&B sector, supporting buy-side M&A through valuation, commercial due diligence and the identification of strategic growth opportunities. My work also spans turnarounds and performance improvement, including restructuring, margin improvement and operational transformation, alongside shaping and executing international expansion strategies.
Dunkin’ Brands / Inspire
Vice President — EMEA, India Subcontinent & Australia
January 2020–August 2024
Managing Director — Dunkin’ & Baskin-Robbins
EMEA, India Subcontinent & Australia · 2019
Regional Director — Dunkin’ & Baskin-Robbins
Middle East, India Subcontinent, Africa & Australia · 2014–2019
Earlier international business management roles with Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ began in 2012. My responsibilities developed across operations, marketing, food safety, guest experience, training, strategic partnerships and franchisee profitability.
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
Head of UAE Operations
September 2009–December 2011
Accor Vacation Club
Promotions Manager/Regional Promotions Manager — Australia
October 2007–May 2009
EDUCATION
MBA
CQUniversity, Australia · 2007–2008
BA, International Relations
Near East University · 2000–2005
LEADERSHIP FOCUS
Across the growth agenda
Transformation and turnarounds
Regional P&L leadership
Franchise and partner alignment
International market expansion
Product and channel adaptation
Cross-functional team leadership
An independent executive platform
This site brings together my perspectives on foodservice leadership and international expansion. International QSR & Beverage Expansion Intelligence is its flagship research publication.
Writing and research are published in a personal capacity. Past roles do not imply a current employer affiliation or endorsement. Confidential employer and client information is excluded.
Career details are drawn from my LinkedIn profile, supplied in October 2026. View my professional profile →
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