Industry Veteran Launches conneXsions to Foster Strategic Business Partnerships

Restaurant marketing veteran Chuck McAulay has launched conneXsions, a new company specializing in making strategic introductions that become growth catalysts for small and medium businesses. With over 30 years of experience working with major brands including Burger King, Bonefish Grill, AMF Bowling (now Bowlero), and Hard Rock Café International, McAulay brings extensive expertise to his role as conneXsions' Chief Catalyst Officer. The company focuses on helping restaurants, hospitality and entertainment companies navigate the complex landscape of available solutions.

McAulay stated that whether clients are looking to streamline operations, enhance customer experience or drive growth, conneXsions connects them with partners who understand their specific needs and can deliver real results. Clients benefit from McAulay's skills as a storyteller and negotiator dedicated to building and personalizing brands to attract sought-after target markets. The company's core specialty involves facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships between brands and the right vendors, platforms and tools to solve challenges and unlock new opportunities.

conneXsions enables vendor-to-vendor collaborations, serves as a start-up technology partner to assist with connections and innovation, and develops influencer marketing and brand ambassador programs. Additionally, the company produces "grand happenings" including opening events and launches, while providing fractional support for projects when businesses need specialized expertise without full-time commitments. McAulay emphasized his guiding principle that meaningful connections deliver mutual value, noting that day-to-day business responsibilities often leave little time for longer-term thinking.

"We help clients build the relationships they need to grow and thrive — one connection at a time," McAulay explained. For more information, visit https://www.connexsions.com. McAulay's most recent position was vice president of marketing at The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill under the United Franchise Group umbrella, which operates in more than 80 countries. This launch matters because it addresses a critical gap in the market where small and medium businesses often lack the networks and resources to identify optimal partners for growth, potentially leveling the playing field against larger competitors with established connections.

The implications of this announcement extend across the restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment industries, where strategic partnerships can mean the difference between stagnation and expansion. By leveraging McAulay's three decades of experience with major brands, conneXsions offers a unique value proposition: curated introductions that save businesses time and resources while maximizing partnership potential. This service could accelerate innovation adoption, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance customer experiences across multiple sectors.

Furthermore, the company's focus on fractional support addresses the growing trend toward flexible, project-based expertise in an era of economic uncertainty. As businesses increasingly seek specialized skills without long-term commitments, services like those offered by conneXsions may become essential for sustainable growth. The company's approach to creating "mutually beneficial" partnerships also reflects a shift toward more collaborative business models where shared success drives industry advancement.