Harry T. Rose
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Harry T. Rose began his career in the restaurant and hospitality industry with the Marriott Corporation. During a twenty-year association with Marriott he progressed from a trainee position to that of senior executive. His career with Marriott included the position of vice president of Finance for the Roy Rogers Division and vice president and general manager for over 250 company-and franchise-owned Roy Rogers restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic and New York markets. In 1985, Mr. Rose purchased five Roy Rogers restaurants from Marriott and founded H. T. Rose Enterprises, Inc.

Mr. Rose is chairman and chief executive officer of The Rose Group, a restaurant management company established in 1985 under which he has affiliated all of his active restaurant concepts over the course of his franchising career including Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Boston Market, Corner Bakery Cafe, Einstein Bros Bagels, Johnny Carino’s Country Italian and Roy Rogers.

Mr. Rose has expanded the Company by building or acquiring and operating over fifty Applebee’s units in three states and becoming the first in the country to franchise Corner Bakery Cafe.

Mr. Rose has received numerous awards throughout his affiliation with Applebee’s Services, Inc. including Franchisee of the Year in 1997 and 2004. He has served as chairman of the Applebee’s Services Franchise Business Council and is a current a member. He currently serves as a member of the Applebee’s Services Franchise Marketing Council.

Mr. Rose received the 2008 Wilmer S. Lapp Keystone Award from the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association for his significant and noteworthy contributions to the industry and community on behalf of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association at the chapter and statewide levels.

Mr. Rose was awarded the 2009 Pennsylvania Cornerstone Humanitarian Award for his personal commitment to serving the local community by the National Restaurant Association, the leading business association for the restaurant industry.

Mr. Rose is a tireless contributor to various businesses, social and philanthropic organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of New Jersey Manufacturer’s Bank, New Jersey Manufacturer’s Insurance Company and a member of the Board of Trustees of New Jersey Business and Industry Association. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association Board of Directors. He previously served as a member of the St. Mary Medical Center Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of The University of Scranton. He held the chairmanship of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce from 1995 to 1997 and remained active with the organization as a member of the Board of Directors until 2004.

Mr. Rose has received numerous civic awards including Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year 1998. In June 2005 he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005 for Greater Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania in the Consumer Services category by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. 

Mr. Rose is a 1965 graduate of The University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Mr. Rose and his wife, Carol resides in New Hope, Pennsylvania and have two sons. Jason is director of Real Estate and Stephen is director of Strategic Planning with The Rose Group.