Veteran finance leader joins executive team to support disciplined growth and franchise performance
Youngstown, OH (Restaurant News Release) Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has appointed Naveen Dasa as chief financial officer, adding a dynamic and accomplished finance executive to its leadership team as the brand accelerates into its next chapter of strategic growth. Dasa brings more than a decade of experience spanning franchising, restaurant operations and consumer brands – including roles at Shake Shack, BakeMark and Yum! Brands.
He previously spent ten years with Yum! Brands advancing through finance and strategy roles across Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Yum! Corporate – most notably, Dasa played a key role in designing and implementing Pizza Hut’s systemwide asset upgrade program, helping establish a long-term plan to refresh or remodel all 6,000 U.S. restaurants. He also held finance leadership roles at Shake Shack, further deepening his experience in high-growth restaurant brands and company-owned operations. Earlier in his career, Dasa worked in investment banking as an assistant vice president at J.P. Morgan and an analyst at UBS, where he gained transaction and capital markets experience supporting complex corporate financings and strategic deals.
With a background that spans corporate finance, franchise business development, marketing analytics and field finance, Dasa brings a rare combination of strategic vision and operational rigor – positioning Handel’s for disciplined expansion and sustained, long-term value creation.
“Naveen’s background at some of the most sophisticated restaurant and franchise organizations in the world makes him a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” said Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s Ice Cream. “He understands how to support franchisees with data-driven insights while also helping brands modernize systems, store designs and financial processes to fuel sustainable growth. His experience will be invaluable as we continue expanding Handel’s footprint.”
In his role at Handel’s, Dasa will work closely with franchisees and internal teams to strengthen financial insights, enhance operational support and partner with franchisees to drive profitability and return on invested capital.
“I’m honored to join a brand with the heritage, product excellence and growth trajectory of Handel’s,” said Dasa. “As we enter this next phase, my priority is to build a finance organization that serves as a strategic partner to the business – delivering actionable insights, disciplined capital allocation and scalable systems that empower our franchisees to grow confidently. Together, we will drive operational excellence, accelerate smart expansion and create sustained, long-term value across the system.”
Dasa holds a bachelor’s degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
For more information about Handel’s, visit HandelsIceCream.com.
About Handel’s Ice Cream
Handel’s Ice Cream has been making and selling ice cream since 1945. Founded in Youngstown, Ohio, the legacy of Handel’s began with Alice Handel. The brand was later purchased by Lenny Fisher, and what started as a single ice cream parlor has now grown into a beloved brand nationwide. Handel’s is committed to quality, using abundant ingredients to create their ice cream, which is made by hand in small batches at each location. They offer 48 flavors every day, with more than 140 additional flavors that rotate seasonally.
Handel’s has earned numerous industry accolades, including being ranked the #1 Sweet Treat and a Top 10 Brand to Buy by Franchise Times. The brand is also featured on the publication’s Top 400 list of the largest franchise systems in the United States and its Fast & Serious list recognizing the smartest-growing franchises of the year. Additionally, Handel’s was recognized on Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers 2025 list, while CEO Jennifer Schuler was named among the Top 25 Industry Executives for her leadership and innovation in foodservice. The brand is also recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Handel’s currently has over 175 locations across 20 states and is growing. To learn more about Handel’s franchise opportunities, visit HandelsIceCream.com/handels-franchise/.
Contact:
Courtney Sybesma
Champion
csybesma@championmgt.com