Executive Team
Here is a list of our senior team members and some basic information.
Executive Team
Marty Gunaca
CEO
As CEO of Golden Cakes Inc., Marty Gunaca has a long history with
IHOP restaurants. Marty
began his career with IHOP Corp. in the late 1970’s and advanced to
the position of General Manager of one of IHOP Corp.’s busiest
restaurants in the country.
In 1988 Marty was recruited by Joe Katin to run his IHOP
franchise restaurants; and together they built the most successful
IHOP franchise organization in the system, Katin Corp.
Katin Corp.’s franchises were considered to be the premier
units in the IHOP system.
Marty’s desire and ambition led him to purchase his own IHOP
franchises in early 2001, while continuing to direct operations at
Katin Corp. In September
2002, Marty resigned his position as Vice President of Katin Corp.
and moved to
Derrik Gunaca
President
Derrik started working at IHOP as a host when he was 16, and quickly
learned the positions of server, cook, and manager he would
eventually become a General Manger and Area Supervisor as well. his
passion for Technology caused him to leave IHOP to pursue a career
in I.T. for a while and Derrik became certified by many different
technology brands including Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and IBM, he
worked for companies that allowed him to expand his knowledge of
technology, some of which had a global presence in the hospitality
industry. When Derrik made his way back to IHOP his background in
both IHOP and technology allowed him to integrate technology into
the restaurants and has made him a source of technical knowledge and
guidance for the IHOP community. Derrik’s strong work ethic and
ambition for success allowed his areas of responsibility and
leadership to evolve into his current role as President of Golden
Cakes Inc.
Ricardo Aguilera
Executive Vice President of Operations
A native of Mexico City, Ricardo moved to Houston, Texas in 1989 where he started working in the restaurant industry. Ricardo has 20 years working in the IHOP system. In 1992 Ricardo was hired by Marty Gunaca, Vice President of Katin Corp, for the new IHOP opening at Katy Freeway, which at that time was the largest IHOP in the world. Ricardo began his career with the company as a busboy. He continued to grow and learn his craft, working as a cook and a server. In 1995 he was promoted to Assistant Manager and shortly after to General Manger. In 1999 Ricardo became an Area Supervisor for Katin Corp’s IHOP locations in the Houston Market. In 2005 Ricardo moved his family to Little Rock, AR to work again with Marty and Sue Gunaca, owners of Golden Cakes Inc., as the Director of Operations for their company.
Shannoah Austin.jpg)
Area Supervisor
Shannoah’s career in the restaurant industry began in 1985 with Waffle House. She was employed with Waffle House in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana and worked for the company for 20 years serving, training, managing, and, finally, supervising. She started with North Little Rock IHOP in 2003 as an MOD, assistant manager, and eventually became the general manager there. From that point, she was transferred to Fayetteville IHOP and managed that store from 2008- 2013. She is now relocated to the Little Rock area where she has accepted a Regional Supervisor position.