Rob Novak Named 2022 Bert Nathan Award Honoree

The National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) has announced that Rob Novak, Vice President of Concessions and Food and Beverage, Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern by Marcus, has been selected as the 2022 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree. Presented by NAC each year to recognize leadership and significant accomplishment in the Theatre Concessions Industry, the award honors the late Bert Nathan, a past president of the Association and industry leader. The presentation will take place on July 27, 2022 at the Awards Luncheon during the 2022 Concession & Hospitality Expo at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. The recipient is chosen by vote of the majority of previous Bert Nathan Award recipients.

Rob Novak serves on the Board of Directors for NAC and is currently the President-Elect of the Trade Association. He is also the current NAC Charity Golf Event Co-Chair and is a frequent industry contributor, taking a leadership role during reopening calls sharing his insight with industry peers.

Novak is a seasoned exhibition industry veteran. After 16 years of managing theatres, he shifted responsibilities. For the past nine years he has been using his understanding of business operations to grow food and beverage offerings across 88 theatres in 17 States under the Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern by Marcus and BistroPlex brands.

In his current role as Vice President of Concessions and F&B, Novak is responsible for the direction, menu development and oversight of concession and food & beverage operations throughout the circuit and is a member of the Marcus Theatres executive team. Included in that portfolio are three full-service Zaffiro’s restaurants and nearly 30 Zaffiro’s Express outlets, about a dozen Reel Sizzle outlets, nearly 50 lobby/bar restaurants branded as Take Five Lounge and The Tavern, and more than 30 locations that offer in-auditorium dining.

Novak played an integral role in launching BistroPlex, a concept that features all in-theatre dining and puts a much greater focus on the food. He was instrumental in integrating Movie Tavern into the Marcus Theatres portfolio in 2019, and he currently manages the F&B and leads operations for those 22 properties.

Rob Novak joins a long list of exceptionally talented and generous honorees. Past recipients of the Bert Nathan Award include Maria Angles, ECM; Brian Biehn; Norman Chesler; Andrew Cretors, ACS; Charlie Cretors; Denise de Zutter; Gina DiSanto, CCM; Larry Etter; John Evans, Jr.; Tim Farha; Evan Gordon; Adam Gottlieb, ACS; Wally Helton, ECM; John Irace; Tony Irace; Dan Kroeger; Ron Krueger II; Bill LeClair; Rob Lehman; Jack Leonard; Peter Leyh; Libby Mauro; Mike Mosher; Shelly Olesen, ACS; Bruce Proctor, ECM; Bill Rector; Krista Schulte; Robert Scribner; Jeff Scudillo; Bob Shimmin; Bruce Taffet; Anita Watts and the late Bill Chaplain, J.C. Evans, Shelley Feldman, Frank Liberto, Len Marsh, Bert Nathan and Skip Stefansen.

About NAC: The National Association of Concessionaires, founded in 1944, is the trade association for the recreation and leisure-time food and beverage concessions industry. Members are comprised of the owners and operators of facilities such as: Movie Theatres, Stadiums & Arenas, Zoos & Aquariums, Colleges & Universities, Foodservice Contractors, Park & Recreation Departments, Amusement Parks & Family Entertainment Centers, Ice and Roller Skating Rinks, Racetracks, Bowling Centers, Outdoor facilities, Convention centers and Performing Arts Centers. Our members also are the companies that provide products and services to these facilities, including: Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers, Popcorn Processors, Jobber Distributors, Consultants and Brokers.

For more information:
Chris Dammann
Executive Vice President
612-849-8418
cdammann@naconline.org

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