Dana Edwards Manatos is the Founder and CEO of MilkShake Factory, a brand rooted in her family’s chocolate and ice cream legacy dating back to 1914. As a fourth-generation chocolatier, she grew up working in the family business, learning the craft of chocolate-making and hospitality. While studying business at Palm Beach Atlantic University, she developed the concept for MilkShake Factory, transforming her family’s seasonal chocolate shop into a year-round destination for handspun shakes, craft sundaes, and gourmet chocolates made from century-old recipes.
Before returning to her family’s business, Dana worked in the White House under President George W. Bush, managing logistics for domestic and international Presidential travel before being promoted to Associate Director of Public Liaison. In 2007, she joined her brothers in expanding Edward Marc Chocolatier, securing partnerships with brands like Saks Fifth Avenue, Four Seasons, and Costco—helping land the company on the Inc. 5000 list for six consecutive years.
Under Dana’s leadership, MilkShake Factory has grown from a beloved Pittsburgh staple into a rapidly expanding national brand. Now franchising across the U.S., it continues to blend heritage with innovation. Dana lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband, Tom, and their three children.
