Meghan Daro

Introductory Bio

Meghan E. Daro is the Founder and CEO of Daro Haus and Secret Menu Consulting, two innovative ventures dedicated to helping hospitality organizations, manufacturers and design professionals navigate the future of foodservice, beverage and the guest experience. Through strategic consulting, thought leadership and industry storytelling, Daro Haus and Secret Menu Consulting empower brands to uncover new opportunities, spark creativity and build meaningful connections across the hospitality ecosystem.

Previously, Meghan served as Global Vice President of Design Consultant Services for Middleby, a global food and beverage leader with more than $4 billion in annual revenue and a portfolio of over 60 industry-leading commercial and residential brands for nearly a decade.

Prior to Middleby, Meghan was Brand Director for Scotsman, an Ali Group company, where she led brand strategy, channel engagement, research and insights and hospitality industry relations initiatives.

Since entering the hospitality industry in 2004, Meghan has built a career spanning nearly every segment of hospitality and foodservice. She holds degrees and certifications in marketing, communications, hospitality and professional sales and began her culinary journey working in back-of-house catering operations.

A Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) and Hospitality Beverage Specialist, Meghan serves on the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Young Executive Forum, the Society for Hospitality Foodservice Management (SHFM) Industry Advisory Board and was most recently elected to the Writers and Speakers Bureau. She also serves on the Supplier Board for Agora Sustainability. She has been recognized as an SHFM Rising Star (2019–2021), received the SHFM Julie Flik Award in 2024, and was named a Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) Change Maker in 2020.

Her work has also earned numerous honors, including Platinum MarCom, Hermes Creative and Muse Awards, along with the O'Connell Award for Achievement, Scholarship and Service.

A Chicago native, Meghan is passionate about the intersection of food, beverage, technology and design, and is a dedicated advocate for developing the next generation of hospitality leaders through mentorship, education and the sharing of knowledge.