Viewpoint
by Bob Gershberg, Managing Partner Wray Executive Search
Double Dip - Not Just an Ice Cream Term Anymore
As we enter second quarter earnings season this week, trepidation abounds with talk of a double dip recession. At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, perhaps even a bit bullish, we do expect earnings to be palatable in the retail and restaurant sectors. Not many will knock top line revenues out of the park nor will most show earnings worthy of celebration but industry resilience will prevail. Full Article »
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2010 Worst Kept Secret
Phil Friedman to leave McAlister's Deli
By Lisa Jennings Nation's Restaurant News
Phil Friedman plans to step down as chief executive of McAlister's Deli in the fall, intending to "look for something new," he told Nation's Restaurant News on Friday.
Full Article »
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Recruiting
By Rebecca Patt, Vice President of Development,
Dick Wray Executive Search
CEO Culture Clash at Nike
A few years ago, I got to hear what was like the recruiter's equivalent to Moses preaching on the mount. I was at a conference for executive recruiters in Manhattan, and one of the keynote speakers was Gerry Roche. Full Article »
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The 144-unit MELTING POT RESTAURANTS chain, based here, has promoted manager of culinary development SHANE SCHAIBLY to director of food and beverage and named KYLE WRAY beverage manager. Full Article »
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DUNKIN' DONUTS said it named DAN SAIA vice president of consumer engagement and WELDON SPANGLER regional vice president for the Midwest. The chain with more than 6,500 U.S. locations said Saia will oversee the creation, development and execution of Dunkin' Donuts' advertising, media and interactive strategies and will work with franchisees to devise campaigns to build sales and brand equity. He previously was vice president of marketing and communications at YUM BRANDS INC. Full Article »
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ARBY'S has tapped WARREN CHANG to serve in the new position of chief innovation officer for taste, quality and customer experience, parent company WENDY'S/ARBY'S GROUP said. Chang, 54, will be responsible for leading innovation and change initiatives in the areas of product development, quality improvement and customer experience. Before joining Arby's, Chang served as president of CARINO'S ITALIAN based in Austin,Texas. Full Article »
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DENNY'S CORP. said late Tuesday that NELSON MARCHIOLI, the company's president and chief executive, resigned and has been succeeded by board chair DEBRA SMITHART-OGLESBY on an interim basis until a permanent successor is found. Marchioli and Smithart-Oglesby had been embroiled in controversy this year as a group of dissident shareholders engaged in a corporate proxy contest to unseat the executives with claims of mismanagement. The dissident shareholder group lost the dispute last month, but speculation had risen that management changes at Denny's would still be made. Full Article »
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Domino's Pizza reported a 29 percent increase in first half pretax profit as sales were boosted by the soccer World Cup and the company's sponsorship of TV phenomenon 'Britain's Got Talent. Domino's, which operates the British and Irish franchises of the global delivery brand, made a pretax profit of 17.5 million pounds in the half year to June 27 while sales increased by 21 percent to 237.1 million. "The company experienced very strong growth over the period driven by a combination of tactical promotions, the third year of our Britain's Got Talent sponsorship, the start of the football World Cup and the continued growth in sales through our e-commerce platform," it said in a statement on Monday. Full Article »
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COSI INC. reported its first positive same-store sales since 2008, as it shared partial results for its second quarter ended June 28. Full results will be released Aug. 12. Cosi said that systemwide sales rose 3.1 percent on a year-over-year basis for its chain of 86 franchisor-run fast-casual restaurants and 58 franchised locations. Second-quarter revenue fell 6.4 percent to $29.6 million, compared with the year-earlier period, Cosi said. During the quarter, Cosi sold 13 corporate units in the Washington, D.C., area to CAPITAL C RESTAURANTS. Full Article »
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WINGSTOP reported a 1.5-percent same-store sales increase for the first half of 2010, continuing what it said was 28 consecutive quarters of positive sales trends. Wingstop, which operates and franchises 447 casual-dining restaurants, said the positive sales results marked seven straight years of continued growth for the 16-year-old chicken-wing chain. Full Article »
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BRAVO BRIO RESTAURANT GROUP INC., filed with securities regulators late last week to raise up to $172.5 million in an initial public offering that would be used to repay debt. Bravo Brio operates 83 full-service Italian restaurants in 27 states under the Bravo! Cucina Italiana and Brio Tuscan Grille brands. The company has been owned since 2006 by Bravo Development Holdings LLC, whose major shareholders are private equity firms BRUCKMANN, ROSSER, SHERRILL & CO. MANAGEMENT LP and CASTLE HARLAN INC.
Full Article »
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Executive Chat
With Rebecca Patt - Featuring Pat Walls, COO and General Counsel of Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
During a recent trip to Vegas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Pat Walls, COO and General Counsel of Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. He discusses how the growth the 61-unit chain has really been taking off over the past year and offers some hints at the recipe for their success.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO!
Also, you can learn more about Capriotti's at www.capriottis.com.
Full Article »
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| This Month's Hot Opportunities |
CEO - Northeast
Profitable, privately-held International frozen bakery products manufacturer in need of a dynamic CEO. This is an entrepreneurial setting requiring a hands-on, strategic leader. Company is committed to doubling revenues over next 2 years. Have total P/L responsibility and be responsible for all sales, marketing, manufacturing, supply chain, and financial operations for a multi-plant leader in the manufacture of fine artisan breads and pastries. Click for PDF » |
COO/VP Operations - Southeast
Brand and Market leader in one of the fastest growing segments in health care today - urgent care. Company possesses a solid, proven business model, the financial capital necessary for growth, an experienced team of recognized industry leaders and a reputation for excellence, Company offers unparalleled business opportunities in the areas of acquisitions & partnerships, joint ventures and franchising. Click for PDF » |
Director of Culinary Development - New York Area
Our client is a leading, multi-national QSR company based in the New York Metro area with operations in the US, Europe, Mid East and the Far East. Approximately fifty percent of all locations are franchised units. Candidates for this position must have experience in menu and recipe development with a chain restaurant company and the ability to create and develop fresh concepts.
Click for PDF »
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VP Development - Southeast
Brand and Market leader in one of the fastest growing segments in health care today - urgent care. Company possesses a solid, proven business model, the financial capital necessary for growth, an experienced team of recognized industry leaders and a reputation for excellence, Company offers unparalleled business opportunities in the areas of acquisitions & partnerships, joint ventures and franchising.
Click for PDF »
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Chief Executive Officer - Dallas
The Chief Executive Officer in partnership with the Board of Directors is responsible for the success of two fast casual brands. The CEO has overall responsibility for implementing the strategic direction and executive management of the brands. Click for PDF »
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Area Director - Philadelphia
Excellent opportunity for a proven restaurant multi-unit operator to provide superior hospitality, operations
excellence, leadership and financial success.
Click for PDF »
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Regional Director - Southeast
Great opportunity to excel in a dynamic environment with aggressive growth goals that require proven leadership ability. This key position is responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling operations of 15 to 30 quick serve restaurant units.
Click for PDF »
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Area Operations Director - Midwest
Exciting well-established QSR national restaurant company requires an individual with a strong multi-unit, multi state
operational background in quick service, high volume dining, an individual who is driven to excel and can demonstrate
a record of significant accomplishments.
Click for PDF »
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Area Operations Director- Midwest
Exciting well-established QSR national restaurant company requires an individual with a strong multi-unit, multi state
operational background in quick service, high volume dining, an individual who is driven to excel and can demonstrate
a record of significant accomplishments.
Click for PDF »
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District Manager New Concept Development - Atlanta
Opportunity to be on the ground floor of a new Fast Casual concept under development by a major successful restaurant company. Will be responsible for opening the first location of the new concept as well as expanding the concept to additional locations in the future.
Click for PDF »
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