Tim Murphy, MBA, ICAE
Interim CEO | Operating Partner
Turnaround & Stabilization Executive
Nationwide availability | 90–180 day mandate
Rapid deployment

Executive Summary

 

I am a board-level operating executive with more than 30 years of experience leading sponsor-backed, founder-led, and multi-unit platforms through operational transformation, EBITDA expansion, scalable growth, and profitable exits.

 

My career has been built at the intersection of strategy and execution—working closely with boards, private equity sponsors, and leadership teams to restore performance, professionalize operations, and convert strategic intent into measurable enterprise value. I have led businesses across family entertainment, restaurants, hospitality, and experiential consumer platforms, where disciplined execution, operating cadence, and financial transparency are critical to success.

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Currently available for interim CEO/President/COO and Operating Partner
mandates (90–180 days). Most often engaged for EBITDA pressure, liquidity/lender situations, leadership transition, and pre-exit cleanup.

 

Executive Value Snapshot

• 30+ years of C-suite leadership experience

• CEO, President, and COO roles across multi-unit platforms

• $500M+ P&L responsibility

• 150+ brands across 10,000+ locations

• $18M+ aggregate EBITDA improvement

• Proven private equity value creation and exit leadership

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How I Lead

 

Disciplined Execution

I create clarity around economic priorities and align leadership teams to deliver predictable results. Decision-making is grounded in EBITDA, cash flow, unit-level economics, and return on invested capital.

 

Operating Cadence & KPI Alignment

I establish consistent performance rhythms that make results visible, manageable, and actionable at every level of the organization—from unit operators to the boardroom.

 

Leadership Under Pressure

I bring calm, decisive leadership during periods of transition, uncertainty, and complexity, ensuring strategy and execution remain aligned when stakes are highest.

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Executive Impact

 

PE-Backed Turnaround & Exit

Led the operational turnaround of a private-equity-owned portfolio of family entertainment assets acquired in a distressed environment. Implemented disciplined cost structures, pricing optimization, labor modeling, and operating cadence improvements, reversing approximately $10M in negative EBITDA to +$8M EBITDA within 12 months. The platform was subsequently repositioned and exited at a 6× EBITDA multiple to a strategic buyer.

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Multi-Unit Performance Acceleration

Improved unit-level profitability and enterprise performance across large multi-unit and franchise systems through standardized operating metrics, leadership alignment, and economic model refinement—resulting in sustained EBITDA growth and improved scalability.

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How I Engage in Transitional & Sponsor-Backed Environments

I step directly into leadership roles during periods of performance pressure, transition, or strategic repositioning. As an in-seat operator, I focus on restoring operating discipline, aligning leadership teams, and driving measurable EBITDA recovery while maintaining sponsor and ownership transparency.

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Typical Mandates Include:

• Interim CEO / President during performance decline or leadership transition

• EBITDA recovery and KPI operating cadence installation

• Lender-facing stabilization

• Multi-unit operating model refinement

• Pre-sale operational cleanup and exit readiness

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Where I Deliver the Greatest Value

• Private-Equity-Backed Platforms (pre- and post-acquisition)

• Founder-Led Businesses Transitioning to Professional Management

• Multi-Unit, Franchised, and Experiential Brands

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ENGAGEMENT AVAILABILITY

AVAILABLE FOR:

• Interim CEO, President, and COO mandates

• Transitional or stabilization leadership

• Operating Partner assignments

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Based in Orlando, FL with nationwide availability.
Open to relocation, travel-intensive, hybrid, and remote roles.

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Contact Tim directly at tim@timothypmurphy.com or 407-463-0834.