by Alisha Katz, APR

Bob Schalow (BSR ’94) is a natural-born problem solver. From Senior Vice President at Diversified Restaurant Group to his pivotal role on UF’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute Advisory Board, Schalow is dedicated to solving industry challenges and fostering the next generation of leaders through education and opportunity.

“I look at how can I solve for this, how can I make it better,” said Schalow, a senior vice president for Diversified Restaurant Group, a group of 350 restaurants and comprised of three restaurant brands and one of the largest franchisees of Taco Bell.

For Schalow, problem-solving extends beyond his role as SVP to his role as immediate-past chair for the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute, or EFTI, Advisory Board, housed within the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management.

“I’m a studier of the industry, always thinking about how I can take what I learn from my experiences back to the advisory board to tackle challenges and make a bigger impact,” Schalow said. “I’m always asking myself, where can we then insert ourselves to be more impactful in this industry?”

Schalow, a graduate from the department, joined the Taco Bell/Yum Brands as a restaurant manager after graduation in 1994 and proceeded to take on several leadership roles overseeing field and support center operations in multiple regions across the country. His work has included serving as the senior director of national franchise operations for Einstein Bros. Bagels and Bruegger’s Bagels, brand leader for the Manhattan Bagel Company and vice president of franchise operations for Jack in the Box.

In 2020, Schalow was sought after by Alice Norsworthy, the president of global marketing and sales at Universal Destinations & Experiences, and Rachel J.C. Fu, Ph.D., CHE, the department chair and director of EFTI, to consider joining the board, sharing their vision for the department’s future. The board is comprised of 30+ executives who represent several industries, including restaurants, hotels, casinos, rental car companies, cruise lines, event management, theme parks and more. Schalow would go on to serve as the chair-elect and chair.

“Everybody who joins the board has a passion for the industry and the University of Florida,” Schalow said. “We set high-level expectations and goals of our board members, including increasing the number of scholarships and paid internships. The industry should want to recruit our students — you want to get the best and the brightest who will one day be leading the industry.”

Schalow also gives back in other ways through the establishment of the Schalow Family Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship, a scholarship that supports full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in the department, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and preferably participate in leadership and service activities.

“One of my goals is to ensure there’s a scholarship available for every student in the undergraduate program,” Schalow said. “My focus is at UF and that’s where I put my energy and time giving back.”

In addition, Bob teaches for the department's online graduate and undergraduate programs and was inducted into the college’s alumni hall of fame in April 2022. 

Beyond his connection as a graduate of the college, Schalow believes in the department’s potential to cultivate future industry leaders, thanks to the wealth of opportunities available to its students, including access to its board members. Schalow also sees this as a win for established members in the industry who are looking to recruit top-level talent.

“Without question, we are producing leaders that are very well rounded, and this department provides unique opportunities to meet with senior-level executives who are here to provide guidance,” Schalow said. “We’re Gators here to support Gators.”

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