News Briefs
- 2/2/2025
Just Salad Reveals New C-Suite Executives
Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain committed to making everyday health and sustainability possible, is pleased to announce key executive hires and promotions as part of its accelerated growth and continued focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences. The company has promoted Jennifer Lally to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), as well as appointed Mark Berinato as Chief Experience Officer (CXO) and Stephen Blum as Chief Development Officer (CDO).
These appointments come as Just Salad continues to expand its presence in new and existing markets and deepen its commitment to providing fresh, healthy, and sustainable food for its guests. Aligning with Just Salad’s core values, each executive brings valuable expertise in driving innovation and creating memorable guest experiences.
Jennifer Lally, Chief Marketing Officer
Previously serving as Vice President of Marketing at Just Salad, Jennifer Lally has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. In her new role, Jennifer will continue to lead Just Salad’s marketing strategy and partnerships. During her tenure with the brand, she has been instrumental in building brand strategy, driving local marketing efforts for over 40 new store openings, and reimaging Just Salad’s online presence as well as the Company’s updated, dynamic website. Jennifer also led successful campaigns and partnerships with Sesame Street, Michelin-starred Chef Amanda Cohen, Poppi, and Barstool Sports, all of which significantly boosted brand awareness and same-store sales. With over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, she has held numerous marketing roles throughout her career, including serving as Marketing Director at Nespresso USA.
"Jennifer’s creative leadership has been a key driver of Just Salad’s growth, and her unique ability to connect with our guests in a meaningful way has been integral to building our incredibly strong brand affinity," said Nick Kenner, Founder & CEO of Just Salad. "As CMO, she will continue to elevate our brand, expand our reach, and inspire our guests to Eat with Purpose."
Mark Berinato, Chief Experience Officer
Mark Berinato joins Just Salad as Chief Experience Officer, bringing over 20 years of expertise in customer experience and brand strategy. With previous leadership roles at Panera Bread and CAVA, Mark has a proven track record of driving digital transformation and customer engagement. At CAVA, he played a key role in the company’s growth and digital initiatives, while at Panera, he helped reshape the brand’s omni-channel experience. As CXO at Just Salad, Mark will oversee the holistic guest experience, both in-store and digitally, ensuring the brand continues to deliver personalized, seamless experiences that make everyday health and sustainability more accessible.
“Mark’s innovative approach to the guest experience will help us continue to meet the evolving needs of our guests while enhancing our position as a brand that makes healthy, sustainable food easy to enjoy,” said Kenner. “Our fans are incredibly loyal and we look forward to Mark’s contributions to ensure we are giving each guest the best experience every single time.”
Stephen Blum, Chief Development Officer
Just Salad welcomes Stephen Blum as Chief Development Officer. Leveraging over two decades of experience in real estate and development, he will oversee the brand's growth strategy, leading efforts across real estate, design, and construction to accelerate Just Salad’s expansion into new and existing markets. Before joining Just Salad, Stephen held senior leadership roles at Panera Bread, Panda Express, Au Bon Pain, and MOD Pizza, where he played a critical role in executing large-scale development projects and driving market expansion.
“Stephen’s proven track record in scaling brands and driving successful development strategies will be instrumental as we continue to grow rapidly, nearing 100 store locations this year,” said Kenner. “Stephen’s expertise will be invaluable to our business as we work to bring our health-conscious, flavorful offerings to even more communities.”
To learn more, visit Just Salad's website, download the mobile app, or follow @justsalad on Instagram and TikTok.
- 1/21/2025
Wonder Franchises Buys Pizza Factory
Tucker’s Farm Corp. has acquired Pizza Factory Inc., a restaurant franchisor. The acquisition was completed via the Farm’s franchisor platform Wonder Franchises. Founded in 1979 by Danny Wheeler and Ron Willey, Pizza Factory has approximately $94 million in system sales across 84 franchisees and 110 restaurants. Since 2012, the business has been led by owner and CEO, Mary Jane Riva, who will stay on as CEO moving forward.
In 2023, Tucker’s Farm launched Wonder, a franchise-focused holding vehicle, with $30 million of committed, long-term equity capital. Wonder is dedicated to partnering with and acquiring emerging to mid-size brands with the goal of long-term growth. Wonder’s priority is to be a great partner to sellers and a responsible steward for world-class brands and related assets.
“We’re extremely excited to be acquiring Pizza Factory and to be partnering with MJ to take Pizza Factory to the next level. We love the longevity and stability of the system, the passion that MJ and her team have for their franchisees, and the community-focused culture of the brand. We feel fortunate to be partnering with someone with as much character and knowledge as MJ and believe there’s a great fit both culturally and in terms of our respective skillsets. We’re excited to have the deal closed so we can now focus on driving value for our franchisees,” said Adam Lewin, a partner on the private equity team at Tucker’s Farm and CEO of Wonder Franchises.
This is the third franchise transaction for Tucker’s Farm in recent months, after portfolio company VIO Med Spa, the nation’s med spa franchisor, was successfully sold to Freeman Spogli in September 2024, and Wonder acquired The Decor Group, the leading holiday decorating franchisor with 245 franchised territories and $75 million in system sales, in November 2024.
Riva received HT's Top Women in Restaurant Technology - Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
“I’ve been part of this system for more than 30 years and this company means the world to me. I chose Wonder because I really felt they were the partner that could help improve and grow the system but would do so in a way that took good care of the brand and the franchisees. The Wonder team is smart, young, and energetic – all things that I love – but the thing that really stood out compared to other groups was the way they asked so many questions. They didn’t come in with a ‘we know best’ mindset, they truly wanted to learn about Pizza Factory, understand what’s gotten us this far, and build on what we’re doing. The better I’ve gotten to know their team, the more confident I am that Wonder is the right partner and that the next chapter for Pizza Factory will be a great one.”
A community staple in 100-plus communities, Pizza Factory has stayed true to its roots with hardworking operators, family-friendly dining and high-quality products, offering fresh, hand-tossed pizza, pasta, wings, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and more. With multiple restaurant designs, an Express model, and robust off-premise dining options including delivery and mobile ordering through a custom app, Pizza Factory is built to excel in the restaurant industry moving forward.
- 2/2/2025
Smoothie King Hires Industry Vet to Lead Marketing
Smoothie King announced the appointment of Claudia Schaefer as the company's new Chief Marketing Officer. With an exceptional track record in transforming and elevating well-known restaurant and retail brands, Claudia brings a wealth of experience in driving revenue growth, enhancing profitability, and elevating the customer experience, making her the ideal leader to guide Smoothie King into its next phase of growth.
Schaefer will oversee all marketing efforts for Smoothie King, where she'll focus on further defining the brand's purpose and positioning by leveraging consumer insights to ultimately drive traffic and accelerate sales growth.
Schaefer joins Smoothie King from her most recent role as Chief Experience Officer at Caliber, the $6B parent company of Caliber Collision, where she was instrumental in positioning and marketing the Caliber brand while delivering a seamless and differentiated guest experience. Prior to her tenure at Caliber, Schaefer served as the CMO of multiple QSR and CDR brands, including Jamba and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. During both tenures, she successfully increased traffic and sales through strategic marketing efforts focusing on relevance and differentiation. Her past experience also includes significant leadership roles at Brinker International, parent company of Chili's Bar & Grill, where she worked in both marketing and culinary innovation across domestic and global markets.
Smoothie King's new CMO hire follows the brand's most recent quarterly business update and year- end recap. In 2024, Smoothie King opened 84 new stores, including signed agreements for new store openings across 24 states and 39 DMAs. The fourth quarter of 2024 alone saw the opening of 25 stores nationwide, including the opening of the brand's 1,200th domestic store and continued expansion across Chicago – one of the brand's fastest-growing markets. Smoothie King is setting its sights on an even bigger year in 2025 with accelerated growth, forecasting 105 new store openings across the country.
- 1/31/2025
Shake Shack Promotes Steph So to Chief Growth Officer
Shake Shack announced the appointment of Steph So as Chief Growth Officer and Luke DeRouen as Chief Communications Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company embarks on its next phase of growth. Both will report into Rob Lynch, CEO of Shake Shack, and their roles mark new additions to the Company’s leadership structure. Shake Shack’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jay Livingston, will move into a special projects role before leaving the organization at the end of March to pursue new opportunities.
Steph So, formerly Senior Vice President of Digital Experience at Shake Shack, has been promoted to Chief Growth Officer, where she will lead the Company’s digital marketing and experience, promotional strategy, consumer analytics, and culinary innovation. Since joining Shake Shack in 2019, Steph has played a pivotal role in driving digital growth, enhancing the Shack App and website, and launching impactful co-marketing campaigns with delivery partners. Her previous experience includes serving as Chief Marketing Officer at Extend Fertility and Cover FX, as well as leadership roles at Ralph Lauren, Shopbop, and The Estée Lauder Companies, where she specialized in brand building across fashion, beauty, and e-commerce.
Luke DeRouen has been named Chief Communications Officer and will oversee all brand strategy, national and regional marketing, and corporate and external communications for Shake Shack. With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, Luke most recently served as Executive Vice President at Zeno Group and was previously Chief Marketing Officer at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. He has also held leadership positions at Inspire Brands, specializing in brand experience and activation, partnerships, field marketing and communications at Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s.
“Shake Shack is at a pivotal moment of growth and evolution, and we’re thrilled to welcome both Steph and Luke to our leadership team,” said Rob Lynch, CEO at Shake Shack. “Their expertise and passion for brand-building will be instrumental in shaping our future, deepening our guest connections, and expanding Shake Shack’s footprint while staying true to our roots of exceptional quality and hospitality.
“I’d also like to thank Jay Livingston for his leadership and contributions in growing the Shake Shack brand over the past six years,” added Lynch. “He’s built an incredible team across a broad range of functions that drive our business.”
In addition, Nancy Combs has been appointed Senior Vice President of Culinary and Calendar Innovation, reporting into Steph So. She brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at Papa John’s and Inspire Brands, where she played a significant role in menu innovation, digital strategy and brand growth. At Shake Shack, Nancy will be responsible for driving the Company’s evolving menu strategy and culinary innovation in support of its growth and strategic priorities.
- 1/31/2025
iSeatz Report: 62% of Consumers Say Travel Loyalty Programs' User Experience Makes Booking Travel 'Unnecessarily Difficult'
iSeatz, a technology company powering travel experiences that inspire loyalty, released the third edition of its annual series exploring the dynamics of the U.S. travel loyalty marketplace: The Tipping Point: How U.S. Travel Loyalty is Evolving—A Three-Year Perspective.
This year's report analyzes year-on-year changes in consumer behavior, program design, and technology adoption, offering insights into the priorities reshaping loyalty programs. Drawing on surveys of 256 loyalty program decision-makers and 4,341 U.S. consumers, it examines the evolving relationship between brands and their members, highlighting opportunities in reward diversification and user experience, among other areas.
Key findings reveal the growing role of AI and personalization in engaging important consumer segments and notable changes in how brands evaluate the performance of their travel rewards programs. This year, iSeatz has also introduced a companion report exploring the Canadian loyalty market: The Tipping Point: Inside Canada's Changing Loyalty Landscape.
"This year's findings and the broader trends we have observed over three years reinforce the central role that travel rewards play in driving loyalty program performance," Larry Wine, President of iSeatz. "Our survey data makes a compelling case for investing in adaptable, innovative travel technology that meets the expectations of American consumers and enhances the value of brands' loyalty programs."
Growth Continues in the U.S. Travel Rewards Ecosystem
The availability of travel rewards in the U.S. continues to surge as consumer demand for travel remains strong and more brands incorporate travel rewards into their loyalty offerings. For the first time, a majority of American consumers (55%) report belonging to a loyalty program that allows them to earn or redeem points for travel. Additionally, 22% of consumers now say that three to five of their loyalty programs include travel booking capabilities—an 8-point increase compared to 2023.
Brands Revise Their Performance Metrics
Brands are prioritizing metrics that emphasize the long-term impact and profitability of their travel loyalty programs, focusing on key performance indicators that directly link customer satisfaction to sustained growth. This year, 47% of brands, including 79% of North American programs with over 50 million members, say they measure program success through customer lifetime value (CLV), and 43% rely on net promoter score (NPS),, highlighting a shift toward profitability-focused strategies.
Americans Prioritize Value, Find UX Frustrating
For the third consecutive year, consumers have ranked savings on travel as the most valuable benefit of their loyalty programs, with 44% placing it at the top of their priorities. At the same time, 62% report that user experience issues make booking travel through their programs unnecessarily difficult. Despite these frustrations, only 6% of brands view user experience as a challenge, and just 29% are actively addressing the issue or prioritizing platform improvements, showing a glaring disconnect between consumer needs and brand priorities.
Opportunities for Differentiation: AI and Personalization
Incorporating AI tools and presenting more personalized offers may help brands engage critical segments of their customer bases. Nearly half of consumers (47%) say they have used AI to plan travel within their loyalty programs, while 45% of brands say "finding optimal ways to integrate AI into their loyalty strategy" is a top challenge. Personalization carries particular weight among high-value groups: 84% of luxury program members value tailored offers, while 76% of households with children prefer personalized options, compared to 54% without children.
"Survey data shows that brands must focus on resolving long-standing user experience issues, expand their reward offerings, and adopt better travel technology to meet their members' needs," ,adds Wine. "Regardless of sector, loyalty programs that address these areas will be far better positioned to drive stronger engagement and sustained growth, and importantly, differentiate their proposition."
The 2025 U.S. Tipping Point report can be downloaded here; a companion report examining the Canadian loyalty market is also available: The Tipping Point: Inside Canada's Changing Loyalty Landscape.
- 1/30/2025
ReInvestWealth Partners with Hostaway to Bring AI-Powered Bookkeeping Automation to Property Managers
ReInvestWealth, an AI-powered accounting software, has partnered with Hostaway, a property management platform for short-term rentals, to bring seamless bookkeeping automation to property managers. This collaboration eliminates time-consuming manual data entry, ensuring financial accuracy while saving property managers over four hours per month on bookkeeping tasks.
The demand for AI-driven automation is rapidly growing, with 70% of U.S. businesses and 54% of Canadian businesses already leveraging AI in their operations. As the short-term rental industry embraces digital transformation, this partnership sets a new benchmark for efficiency and accuracy in financial management.
Both ReInvestWealth and Hostaway share a commitment to innovation and were incubated at the prestigious DMZ, a globally recognized accelerator for high-growth tech startups. Their aligned vision makes this partnership a natural fit, delivering cutting-edge automation to property managers across North America.
ReInvestWealth’s AI-powered bookkeeping integration is now available to Hostaway users across the U.S. and Canada.