Ray A. Daniels

Ray Daniels is the former Owner and President of LexiDan Foods LLC, a franchise of Waffle House, Inc. In this role, he owned and operated 13 Waffle Houses in Lexington Kentucky. Raymond created a new venture, Equity Solutions Group (ESG) in 2017– a strategic sourcing company with an emphasis on reducing expenses while ensuring competitive participation from qualified diverse businesses. The company serves technology-based clients in 13 states. ESG also partners with corporations to ensure minority, female and veteran opportunities and inclusivity.

Prior to founding LexiDan and creating ESG, Ray spent twenty-six years in the fast food industry, beginning his career in 1992 as Unit Manager for Waffle House, Inc. He served the company in several management roles over the next fifteen years as Disaster Relief Manager for Operations, Director of Diversity and Minority Affairs, and later culminated as Senior Vice President of Operations responsible for 105 stores, 3500 employees, and more than $200 million in annual sales. He departed the company in 2008 to pursue his entrepreneurial spirit, purchasing a Waffle House Franchise (LexiDan) in Lexington, KY.

Ray is a consummate supporter of his community. He serves on multiple boards including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce where he chairs their Inclusion Task Force, Commerce Lexington Inc. (past chair), Community Ventures Corporation, Urban League of Lexington, Kentucky, Fayette County School Board, and the Kentucky State Tourism Board.

Born in New York City, Ray holds a B.A. in Management from Catawba College where he was a collegiate athlete on the football team. In 2019, Ray received a tremendous honor from his beloved alma mater and was selected as a Prestigious Alumni Award Winner.  Ray is married to Dr. Tiffany Daniels and has two children, Evan and Alana.