Alexandria Restaurant Partners Appointed New President

The restaurant group shifted leadership as partners transition out of daily operations to focus on future growth.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration showing a cluster of dining chairs in a historic brick-walled interior, representing a hospitality group management transition. — Alexandria Restaurant Partners has named Nazia Millwala as president, initiating a leadership transition as partners shift away from daily operations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alexandria Restaurant Partners has appointed long-time executive Nazia Millwala as president. The move accompanies a leadership transition as partners Dave Nicholas, David Clapp, and Scott Shaw step back from daily operations.

Why it matters

The change marks a planned evolution for the restaurant group, which operates multiple venues across Alexandria, Arlington, and Orlando. The transition aims to stabilize long-term management and focus on operational expansion.

Nazia Millwala takes the helm following five years in executive leadership at the firm, compared to her 12-year tenure at Yum! Brands. She will oversee growth across the company's portfolio, including seven Alexandria restaurants, for the next 18 months.

The players

Nazia Millwala

The newly appointed president of Alexandria Restaurant Partners who previously held executive roles at the firm and at Yum! Brands.

Alexandria Restaurant Partners

A restaurant operator with a portfolio of casual and fine-dining establishments across Alexandria, Arlington, and Orlando.

Dave Nicholas, David Clapp and Scott Shaw

The founding partners of Alexandria Restaurant Partners who are transitioning away from the day-to-day management of the business.

The details

Millwala will lead the company’s management development program over the next 18 months, with a focus on succession planning and internal talent cultivation. Her strategic shift includes bolstering sales channels like catering and revamping marketing efforts across existing markets. These initiatives are designed to sustain the company's multi-city footprint as the original partners reduce their involvement in the day-to-day running of the business.

October 13, 2026: Announcement of Nazia Millwala as president.
Next 18 months: Management development and expansion of community connections.

Market Landscape

This appointment follows a documented industry trend where local multi-unit restaurant groups replace founding partners with professionalized executive leadership to ensure long-term stability. It marks a departure from the owner-operator model that historically defined the firm's growth.

Operators should monitor the group's upcoming catering and marketing campaigns for signals on how a corporate-style growth strategy impacts local competition. Expect a focus on internal talent retention as the group prioritizes management development through 2027.

The takeaway

The move underscores the importance of a formalized succession plan when founders transition out of daily operations. Owners should evaluate their own management bench strength against the 18-month development timeline Millwala has initiated to ensure organizational continuity.