Adam Velarde

Chief Executive Officer

Adam Velarde is the sole owner and CEO of Cave Enterprises Operations, LLC. He built and began operating his first restaurant in December 1999. Until 2006, he directly managed operations across eight restaurants, including hands-on shift management.

Since then, Adam has expanded the business to over 183 Burger King locations across eight states, with three additional units currently in development.

Over the past 25 years, Adam has personally negotiated all major restaurant transactions, including Burger King Corporation asset purchases (BKLs), numerous restaurant acquisitions, and more than 70 land acquisitions. He has also served as general contractor on many new builds and remodels. Today, his primary responsibilities include executive leadership, financial oversight, growth strategy, real estate portfolio management, and regular in-restaurant engagement.

Ryan McAnulty

President

Ryan McAnulty brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the food service industry, with deep expertise across multiple franchise systems. His career includes a distinguished tenure with Burger King, where he held progressive leadership roles such as Operations Excellence Specialist, Sales, Profit & Operations Coach, District Manager, Regional Director of Operations, and Vice President of Operations.

As President, Ryan leads the organization’s operational strategy with a focus on performance, process optimization, and systemwide consistency. He leverages his extensive industry knowledge to strengthen operational discipline, elevate execution, and drive sustainable growth. Ryan’s strategic mindset and hands-on leadership ensure the organization is positioned for long-term success and continuous improvement.

Michael Johnson

Executive Vice President

Michael Johnson serves as Executive Vice President, bringing over 35 years of expertise within the Burger King system to the leadership team. His career began at the foundational level as an Assistant Manager, progressing through key roles including Restaurant General Manager, District Manager, and Regional Director of Operations. This comprehensive trajectory inspires his focus on driving P&L performance through the modernization of operational systems. Michael excels in navigating complex system migrations and streamlining workflows to eliminate inefficiencies. By combining technical and operational knowledge with a commitment to developing high-performing leaders, he aids in ensuring the organization remains agile and profitable. He oversees operational leadership, team development, and execution across the company.

Michael’s primary responsibility is the continuous improvement of the P&L through rigorous efficiency standards and the mentorship of high-performing leaders.

John Kayser

Executive Vice President of Development and Real Estate

John Kayser brings extensive experience in site selection, capital planning, and real estate development. As SVP of Development and Facilities, he oversees the company’s real estate strategy and manages development and facilities for the restaurant portfolio.

Jacob Cox

Vice President of Operations

Jacob Cox has over 20 years of experience in the food service industry. As Vice President of Operations, he oversees 175+ Burger King restaurants. In this role, he oversees restaurant performance, driving operational excellence, profitability, and brand standards.

With a strong background in multi-unit leadership, Jacob is responsible for executing strategic initiatives that enhance guest experience, streamlining operations, attracting and retaining top level talent, and improving financial outcomes. He partners closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with Burger King’s standards and long-term growth objectives.

Jacob is passionate about people development and operational innovation, focusing on empowering teams, fostering accountability, and maintaining a culture of success.

Maria Carlin

Director of Operations for Chicago and surrounding Illinois suburbs

Maria joined Cave Enterprises in 2004 and has 25 years of experience in Burger King, where she was first hired as a Team Member.  Cave is a growing company with many opportunities and Maria advanced in positions as the company grew.  Maria loves being in the restaurant business and meeting new people every day. Maria enjoys developing our crew members into our leaders and finds it very exciting see what people are capable of when we educate and empower them.

Shari Furlano

Director of Operations for the surrounding areas of Lacrosse and Eau Claire, WI and Duluth, MN

Shari has been with the Burger King brand for 29 years. What Shari appreciates most about working with Cave is watching our teams grow and develop into business leaders.

Lysa Hoig

Director of Operations for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Green Bay and Appleton, WI

Lysa began with Burger King as a late-night team member in 2006.  Lysa’s career has been nurtured by the positive culture and encouragement for internal growth in Cave and feels very fortunate for the wonderful team of people she works with on a daily basis.

Al Jones

Director of Operations for Cave’s South Dakota and Minnesota restaurants

Al has been with the Burger King brand for 40 years. What Al appreciate most about working with Cave is the growth of his team and striving to be the best with customer service.

Sue Boehler

Director of Operations for Milwaukee, Kenosha and surrounding areas of Wisconsin

Sue has been in the restaurant business for over 40 years and started at the age of 14.  She has worked in multiple concepts and has worked both on the corporate side of the business.  Sue’s passion is to mentor employees so they can be successful in their positions and know the importance of taking care of the guests and the business overall.  Sue has been with Cave since 2018.

Laurie Roscoe

Director of Operations for far Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin

Laurie has been with Burger for 38 years. Laurie enjoys seeing people grow through education and motivation to become strong leaders of their people and their businesses.  Laurie appreciates Cave’s “multiple heads are better than one” strategy and teamwork to continue to grow Cave.

Alex Lois

Director of Operations for Buffalo Wild Wings Go

Alex had over 10 years’ experience in the Burger King Brand before switching over to Buffalo Wild Wings Go.   Alex has taken on a new role as Director of Operations and has successfully opened multiple restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley.  Alex appreciates Cave’s ‘people first culture’ and is proud to extend Cave’s culture to other states and new brands.