Dan Herrle Named 2026 Bert Nathan Award Honoree
The Entertainment Food & Beverage Association has announced that Dan Herrle, Director of Food & Beverage for Epic Theatres, has been selected as the 2026 Bert Nathan Memorial Award Honoree. Presented by EF&B 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 September 23, 2026 at the Awards Luncheon during the Concession & Hospitality Expo. The recipient is chosen by vote of the majority of previous Bert Nathan Award recipients.
Dan Herrle is the Director of Food & Beverage for Epic Theatres, a fifth-generation, family-owned company celebrating 80 years in business in 2027. In his role, Herrle oversees food and beverage strategy and operations, with a focus on innovation, revenue growth, operational excellence, and creating exceptional guest experiences across the Epic Theatres circuit.
Herrle also serves as Director of Education for the Entertainment Food & Beverage Association (EF&B), where he leads the development of educational programs designed to shape the next generation of food and beverage leaders in the entertainment industry.
With nearly four decades of experience in motion picture exhibition, he has held leadership positions with some of the industry’s most recognized companies. During his career, he has led the development of innovative food and beverage concepts, including in-seat dining, restaurants, gourmet concessions, and non-traditional cinema experiences, while building and managing strategic partnerships with leading brands and suppliers.
A respected industry advocate, Herrle has served as Vice Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the National Association of Theatre Owners, now known as Cinema United, and remains actively involved in EF&B’s government relations efforts. He has lobbied on Capitol Hill, testified in legislative hearings, and contributed to policy discussions affecting the motion picture exhibition industry.
Herrle’s career began at age 15 as an usher and quickly progressed to General Manager by the age of 20. That early start shaped a career built around leadership, innovation, mentorship, and a passion for elevating the guest experience. Today, he continues to bring that same energy and industry experience to Epic Theatres and to the broader entertainment food and beverage community.
Dan Herrle joins a long list of exceptionally talented and generous honorees. Past recipients of the Bert Nathan Award include Marianne Abiaad; 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; Charlie Gomez; Evan Gordon; Adam Gottlieb, ACS; Wally Helton, ECM; John Irace; Tony Irace; Ron Krueger II; Rob Lehman; Jack Leonard; Peter Leyh; Libby Mauro; Patrick Micalizzi; Mike Mosher; Rob Novak; 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, Dan Kroeger, Bill LeClair, Frank Liberto, Len Marsh, Bert Nathan and Skip Stefansen.
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