Our inaugural Shamrock Rally theme, Ride for the Brand, was intentional. It served as a reminder that success doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when leaders show up, take ownership by the reins and commit fully to the mission. Rally 2026 gave us the chance to tip our hats to an incredible year of growth while saddling up for what’s ahead.
Over the past several years, Shamrock Company has achieved 140% revenue growth and added 30 new locations! In 2025, our teams continued to push forward by growing digital sales, strengthening value offerings and delivering operational excellence across our Taco Bell and Dunkin’ restaurants.
But behind every metric is something more powerful: leadership.
Steve McGue Leadership Award
If there was one moment that captured Shamrock’s true spirit, it was the presentation of our new Steve McGue Leadership Award, named in honor of our late founder.
This award represents more than strong performance. It honors leaders who live our values, develop their people, protect the guest experience and never hesitate to step up when it matters most. These are the leaders who don’t just wear the brand, they ride for it.
Our first class of Steve McGue Leadership Award winners:
Rob Russ (2022)
Chief Operations Officer
John Mlinarcik (2023)
Chief Financial Officer
Marcial Hernandez (2024)
Taco Bell Director
Rustum Sayyed (2025)
Taco Bell VP of Ops
These legendary leaders consistently demonstrate what it means to lead from the front of the pack. Through operational excellence, strong culture, accountability and heart, they continue to raise the standard for our entire organization.
RGM of the Year
We also recognized our Restaurant General Managers of the Year – leaders who delivered results across sales growth, guest experience, staffing, certifications and profitability. Their restaurants are proof that when leadership is strong, performance follows!
Taco Bell RGM of the Year
Maria Pineda
Dunkin’ RGM of the Year
Erica Neuberg
Signature Restaurants
Our Signature Restaurants were honored for setting the pace and showing what best-in-class execution looks like day in and day out. These teams continue to blaze the trail in guest experience, speed and operational discipline.
002156 Countryside
RGM: Maria Pineda
002873 Darien
RGM: Baltazar Nunez
004752 Elgin
RGM: Adrian Perez
003157 Farnsworth
RGM: Mayra Aguirre
041816 Glen Ellyn
RGM: Arcelia Gutierrez
005514 Hanover Park
RGM: Margarita Zamora
005090 Munster
RGM: Ramona Ontiveros
041555 Naperville
RGM: Trinity Hopper
037359 North Aurora
RGMs: Alma Diaz
041843 Oak Forest
RGM: Tammi Clemens
016605 St. Charles
RGM: Domingo Gonzalez
004442 Westchester
RGM: Dioselin Ruiz
041419 Whitewater
RGM: Josh Brown
A Special Thank You
We welcomed guest speaker Dave Baldwin, President of Business Operations for the Chicago Fire Football Club.
Dave shared powerful insights on leadership, culture, accountability and what it truly means to represent the brand. His perspective on building high-performing teams and creating consistency in execution reinforced many of the principles that drive Shamrock’s success.
We’re grateful for his time, his candor and the energy he brought to the day.
Looking Down the Trail to 2026
As we ride into 2026, our direction is clear. We’re focused on growing transactions, strengthening margins and elevating guest experiences. We’re investing in leadership development, expanding Shift Leader involvement and reinforcing the importance of consistent one-on-one coaching, because strong leaders build strong teams.
New restaurant openings will create fresh opportunities across our markets, and our performance goals are ambitious. But if this rally reminded us of anything, it’s this: We don’t shy away from big goals. At Shamrock, we saddle up and go after them!
When we put people in a position to succeed, we achieve our full potential. And when we truly ride for the brand, there’s no limit to how far we can go.