Board of Directors

GERALD (“JERRY”) W. DEITCHLE has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2004, and has served as our Chairman of the Board since June 2008. Since February 2013, Mr. Deitchle has been managing member of Restaurant Advisory Services LLC, which specializes in advising both public and privately-held chain restaurant companies. Mr. Deitchle served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 2005 until his retirement in February 2013, and as our President from February 2005 until December 2012. From April 2004 to January 2005, Mr. Deitchle served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Fired Up, Inc., which previously owned, operated and franchised the Johnny Carino’s Italian restaurant concept. From 1995 to 2004, he was a member of the executive management team at The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, a publicly held operator of upscale casual dining restaurants, with his last position as corporate President. From 1984 to 1995, he was employed by the parent company of Long John Silver’s Restaurants, Inc., with his last position as Executive Vice President. Mr. Deitchle previously served on the Board of Directors of Fogo de Chao, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOGO), an operator of Brazilian-style steakhouses that became a private company in 2018.

GREGORY (“GREG”) S. LEVIN has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2021 and previously served as our President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from January 2018 until August 2021. He previously served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from June 2008 to December 2017, as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from October 2007 to May 2008, and as Chief Financial Officer from September 2005 to September 2007. From February 2004 to August 2005, Mr. Levin served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of SB Restaurant Company, a privately held company that operated the Elephant Bar Restaurants. From 1996 to 2004, Mr. Levin was employed by California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., operator and licensor of casual dining restaurants, with his last position as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Earlier in his career, he served as an audit manager with Ernst & Young LLP.

PETER (“PETE”) A. BASSI has been a member of our Board of Directors since September 2004, and currently serves as our Lead Independent Director. Mr. Bassi served as Chairman of Yum! Restaurants International (also known as “YRI”) from June 1997 until his retirement in 2005. YRI was the International Division of Yum! Brands, Inc. (“Yum!”), which operates and franchises Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC Restaurants and was created in 1997 in a spin-off from PepsiCo, Inc. Prior to leading YRI, he was in charge of YRI’s Asian business. Mr. Bassi joined PepsiCo in 1972 in the Pepsi-Cola Company division. During his long tenure at PepsiCo, Mr. Bassi served in various assignments at Pepsi-Cola International, Pizza Hut (U.S. and International), Frito-Lay, and Taco Bell. Mr. Bassi currently serves on the Board of Directors of publicly held Yum China (NASDAQ: YUMC). From 2009 to 2019, Mr. Bassi served on the Board of Directors of publicly held Potbelly Sandwich Works (NASDAQ: PBPB), and from 2015 to 2018, Mr. Bassi served on the Board of Directors of Mekong Capital, a Vietnamese private equity firm.

LARRY D. BOUTS has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 2004. Mr. Bouts currently serves as an investor and advisor to several early stage companies in various industry segments, including technology, energy and consumer-oriented businesses. Previously, Mr. Bouts served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags Theme Parks while it was a private company. Prior to that, he led the launch of the Toys “R” Us international expansion throughout Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia as President of the International Division, successfully developing a profitable multi-billion dollar offshore retail brand in over 25 countries. Mr. Bouts spent 13 years at PepsiCo, Inc. where he held various planning and finance positions, including Chief Financial Officer of two of PepsiCo’s operating divisions.

BINA CHAURASIA has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2020. Since August 2017, Ms. Chaurasia has worked at Tanium, a privately held endpoint security and systems management company based in Emeryville, California. She currently serves as Chief Administrative and Operating Officer, where she is responsible for human resources, strategy, global enablement, procurement, information technology, legal and real estate. Prior to this role, Ms. Chaurasia served as Chief People Officer at Tanium. Ms. Chaurasia previously served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Ericsson from 2010 to 2016, Vice President of Global Talent for Hewlett-Packard from 2007 to 2010, and Vice President of Global Human Resources at Gap Inc. from 2003 to 2007. Ms. Chaurasia also previously held senior human resource leadership roles at PepsiCo-Yum! and at Sun Microsystems.

JAMES (“JIM”) A. DAL POZZO has been a member of our Board of Directors since January 2001. Mr. Dal Pozzo served as Chairman of the Board of The Jacmar Companies, a food distribution company servicing restaurants in California and Nevada, from January 2013 to December 2019, as Chief Executive Officer from January 2013 to December 2017, as President from 1993 to January 2013, and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 1987 to 1992. Prior to working for The Jacmar Companies, Mr. Dal Pozzo served as Chief Financial Officer of the Ojai Ranch and Investment Company in 1992. Mr. Dal Pozzo is a Certified Public Accountant and was with Peat Marwick from 1981 to 1987, where he specialized in the restaurant, distribution, retail and manufacturing industries.

NOAH A. ELBOGEN has been a member of our Board of Directors since June 2014. Mr. Elbogen currently serves as a Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Act III Holdings, LLC, a Boston-based investment fund. From August 2016 to June 2019, Mr. Elbogen served as Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer of Misada Capital Group LLC, a New-Jersey based investment manager. From July 2011 to July 2016, Mr. Elbogen served as an Investment Analyst at Luxor Capital Group, LP, a New York-based investment manager, where he focused primarily on the restaurant sector. Prior to joining Luxor Capital Group, Mr. Elbogen served as a Research Analyst covering the consumer sector at S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC from August 2009 to June 2011, at Highbridge Capital Management, LLC from January 2007 to January 2009, and at Scout Capital Management LLC from August 2005 to January 2007. Mr. Elbogen began his investment career as an Equity Research Associate at Bear Stearns where he covered the Specialty Retail and Hardlines sectors. Mr. Elbogen served as Director at Papa Murphy’s Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) from December 2017 to May 2019. 

LEA ANNE S. OTTINGER has been a member of our Board of Directors since August 2010. In 1998, Ms. Ottinger founded LMR Advisors, where she serves as a strategic business consultant supporting growth-oriented businesses primarily in the consumer/retail sector. Building upon her career in private equity as a Vice President of Berkshire Partners, and its predecessor, Thomas H. Lee Company from 1982 to 1989, her focus is on the resources and strategies required to scale businesses and fuel innovation, with expertise in mergers and acquisitions and monetization strategies that enhance business expansion and realization of stakeholder financial objectives. From 1990 to 1998, Ms. Ottinger was a franchise owner and operator of several The Body ShopTM skin and hair care stores and served as a national franchisee representative. From June 2004 until its acquisition in March 2010, she served on the Board of Directors of Bare Escentuals, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: BARE), one of the leading cosmetic companies in the United States.  

KEITH E. PASCAL has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2020. Since March 2018, Mr. Pascal has served as a Partner at Act III Holdings, LLC, a Boston-based investment fund, and since 2008, he has served as President and Founder of 12:51:58, an enterprise software platform provider for global restaurant and retail operators. From January 2015 to March 2018, Mr. Pascal worked for Panera Bread, where he served as a consultant and was named Chief Concept Officer in November 2017. Mr. Pascal previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Goji, a developer of high tech cooking technology, from 2010 to 2012, as Chief Executive Officer of Torex Retail PLC Hospitality Division from 2006 to 2008, and as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Savista, a point of sale software and business process outsourcing company serving the global restaurant industry, from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Pascal started his career in operations at McDonald’s Corporation. Mr. Pascal currently serves on the Board of Directors of publicly held PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR).

JULIUS W. ROBINSON, JR. has been a member of our Board of Directors since January 2022. Mr. Robinson currently serves as the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for the United States and Canada at Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”), which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. Mr. Robinson is responsible for top line sales and leads the disciplines of Sales, Distribution, Field Marketing, Loyalty, Revenue Strategy, and Public Relations and Crisis Communications for Marriott’s largest division. Mr. Robinson’s experience in the hospitality industry spans nearly three decades with Marriott. His senior leadership roles include Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader for Marriott Hotels and Sheraton Hotels, and Global Brand Leader for Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio, which represent Marriott’s foray into independent and boutique hotels. Mr. Robinson also previously served as Vice President of Global Sales, Vice President of Brand Franchising, and Regional Vice President of Revenue Management for the Eastern United States.

JANET M. SHERLOCK has been a member of our Board of Directors since January 2019. Ms. Sherlock currently serves as Chief Digital and Technology Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation, a global leader in the marketing, design, and distribution of apparel, fragrance, accessories, and home products. From January 2010 to July 2017, Ms. Sherlock was Chief Information Officer at Carter’s, Inc., a global manufacturer and retailer of baby and children’s apparel and accessories. Prior to that, Ms. Sherlock led the Digital and Omni-Channel practice at Gartner, a leading research and advisory firm, from October 2008 to December 2009. Ms. Sherlock also held various business and technology leadership roles at Calico Corners/Everfast, Inc., Guess?, Inc., BP and ExxonMobil from 1998 to 2008.

GREGORY (“GREG”) A. TROJAN has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2012. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 2013 until August 2021, and previously served as our President from December 2012 until January 2018. Prior to joining us, Mr. Trojan served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Guitar Center, Inc., a leading retailer of musical instrument products, from November 2010 to November 2012, and as President, Chief Operating Officer and Director from October 2007 to November 2010. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Trojan served as Chief Executive Officer of House of Blues Entertainment, Inc., an operator of restaurant and music venues, concerts and media properties, and as President from 1996 to 1998. Prior to that, he held various positions with PepsiCo, Inc. from 1990 to 1996, including service as Chief Executive Officer of California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., when it was owned by PepsiCo. Earlier in his career, Mr. Trojan was a consultant at Bain & Company, the Wharton Small Business Development Center and Arthur Andersen & Company. Mr. Trojan joined the Board of Directors of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASY) in July 2021, and previously served on the Board of Directors of Oakley, Inc. from June 2005 to November 2007 and Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) from March 2010 to November 2017.