Clay Dover is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Taco Maker at Velvet Taco, a Dallas-based restaurant committed to a world of tacos without borders and one of the hottest fast-casual brands in the industry. Since he assumed leadership in 2017, Velvet Taco has expanded from 4 to almost 50 restaurants across the United States and recently announced global expansion with a first location to be introduced in London, England in 2025.  Velvet Taco has been recognized as “Best Brands to Work For” by QSR Magazine and continues to be a standard for culinary innovation with award-winning culinary, industry-leading performance and award-winning consumer recognition.

A restaurant industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Dover has served in a variety of executive roles within the restaurant industry throughout his career including President and CMO at Raising Cane’s.  A Dallas resident for over 20 years, Dover has been named as one of the most influential restaurant CEO’s in the Country by Nations Restaurant News, is a member of the National Restaurant Association Fast Casual Industry Council, Serves as a Board Member for the Texas Restaurant Association, and has previously served as Co-Chair of the National Restaurant Association Marketing Advisory Group.