LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Fazoli’s, a major fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, has hired a new chief marketing officer and vice president of operations, along with several other executives, to support its expansion strategy, which includes growth in traditional as well as nontraditional locations such as convenience stores and universities.
With approximately 220 restaurants, Lexington, Ky.-based Fazoli's serves freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos sandwiches, salads and pizza. Fazoli's has eight convenience-store locations--Fairmont, W.Va., LaFollette, Tenn., Shelbyville, Ind., Whitehouse,Texas,, Dubuque, Iowa (2), Tyler, Texas, and Grand Junction, Colo. A Fazoli's is slated to open in Whitestown, Ind., in late May 2016.
The hirings come as Fazoli’s enters a new growth stage after Sentinel Capital Partners acquired the brand last year. The chain is hosting a series of open houses throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Donna Josephson is Fazoli’s new chief marketing officer, a position she previously held at the 351-unit McAlister’s Deli. Josephson brings more than 20 years of progressive brand management and marketing leadership with iconic restaurant brands including Wendy’s, Applebee’s and Chick-fil-A.
Tom Pleiman joins Fazoli’s as vice president of company operations, a role he previously held with Pizza Hut franchisee La Raza Pizza Inc. Pleiman will lead the training and guest services departments, as well as oversee the newly created director of off-premises sales position.
Previously Fazoli’s vice president of operations, Scott Sir Louis has assumed the newly created position of vice president of strategy and continuous improvement. Sir Louis will work with senior leadership to develop, prioritize and implement new strategies.
Steve Bailey joins Fazoli’s as senior director of franchise sales, a newly created position. He previously held a similar post at Sonic.
“Our goal is to make Fazoli’s better for our guests, our employees and our franchisees, which will in turn fuel our growth,” said president and CEO Carl Howard. “These individuals will all play an important role in accomplishing that, and we are thrilled to have them on board.”
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