Karen began her restaurant career at the young age of 16 working at both Long John Silvers and Burger King. She desired more clothes than her mother believed she needed, so she worked two summer jobs to fill a teenager’s closet. While attending college, she shifted to the full-service segment and quickly moved through the ranks from hostess to a regional trainer. The experience spring boarded her a position of Restaurant Opener and Corporate Trainer with Applebee’s. Karen has spent most of her career in the hospitality industry working in multiple leadership roles for many successful organizations such as: Olive Garden, Fish City Grill, F5 Restaurant Group, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Karen is very passionate about training others and helping them succeed. Karen earned her Associates in Science from Loma Linda University in California. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and watching football. Go Vikings!!!