Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP), a leading Northern Virginia-based restaurant group that owns and operates concepts across Northern Virginia and Orlando, has appointed Nazia Millwala as president. Millwala most recently served as ARP’s chief financial officer and brings extensive experience across finance, marketing, development and organizational leadership to her expanded role.
Millwala joined ARP in January 2022 as vice president of finance and was promoted to chief financial officer in August 2024. Her appointment as president marks the latest step in her progression within the company and an important new chapter for the Alexandria-based restaurant group.
The appointment is part of a planned leadership evolution as ARP partners Dave Nicholas, David Clapp and Scott Shaw shift their focus away from day-to-day management. As president, Millwala will oversee ARP’s operations, finance, people and culture, marketing, and food and beverage execution. Her first-year priorities include ensuring a smooth transition, building an expanded executive leadership team and establishing a strong operational structure for the company’s future.
“Scott, David and I are incredibly proud of what our team has built, and we believe this is the right time to transition day-to-day leadership to Nazia,” said Dave Nicholas, co-founder and partner of Alexandria Restaurant Partners. “She has earned the trust and respect of our team through her thoughtful leadership, broad business perspective and genuine commitment to our people. We look forward to remaining involved and supporting her as she leads ARP forward.”
Building on more than a decade of growth, Millwala’s strategy will focus on ARP’s people, management development and community involvement. Over the next 18 months, she plans to develop the company’s next generation of managers and leaders, create new opportunities for employees and deepen ARP’s connections throughout Alexandria and Orlando. Her strategy will also include growing sales channels such as catering, strengthening marketing efforts and continuing to evolve the company’s concepts and guest experiences.
“ARP’s greatest strength is the people who bring our restaurants to life every day,” said Millwala. “My priority is to give our teams the clarity and support they need to do their best work. We have an incredible opportunity to build on what makes our restaurants special, find new ways to serve our guests and contribute even more to the communities we call home.”
Millwala’s people-first, guest-focused philosophy defines hospitality as a genuine human connection between restaurant teams and their guests, an approach that will guide ARP’s next chapter.
Before joining ARP, Millwala spent 12 years with Yum! Brands, holding leadership roles across finance, marketing and development for KFC and Pizza Hut in Canada, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey. Her responsibilities ranged from business analysis and regional marketing strategy to franchise development, market expansion and portfolio growth.
Millwala began her career at KPMG, where she worked with Fortune 500 companies and developed a strong foundation in financial analysis, risk assessment and strategic planning. Born and raised in Dubai, she earned a degree in commerce from the University of Wollongong in Australia and an International MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.
