Serving as Director of Food Service Operations, Derek is a QSR veteran that has heightened food operations and contributed significant growth to a well-established CNY c-store chain.
Starting early in age within the restaurant industry, Thurston joined the Subway brand in high school. He worked at multiple Subway Sandwich Shops while earning an Associate degree in Restaurant Management from Morrisville State College and later a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting Mass Communication at Oswego State University.
Upon graduating, Thurston joined Subway Development of CNY as a Field Consultant providing operational/profitability support to over 200 Subways in the local region, including many convenience stores. During that time, he also worked with the Auntie Anne’s and Taco Del Mar Franchises. He assisted in opening stores and providing ongoing operational support.
In 2015 Thurston welcomed the opportunity to join a franchise of a growing local company – Nice and Easy Grocery Shoppes, which later transitioned to its own brand…Cliffs Local Market. Thurston’s high level of expertise in the quick service restaurant industry has aided the growth of the food service at Cliff’s. Cliffs is a well-developed growing company that is well versed in advanced industry practices launching Recipe Based Inventory along with many successful locally tied in LTO’s under the leadership of Thurston. Cliffs prides itself on its in-house preparation of its extensive food service program.
Passionate about his community, Thurston enjoys volunteering his time to coach youth sports. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife and two children: Darren and Alaina.
