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. He served as our President from February 2005 until December 2012 and as our Chief Executive Officer from February 2005 until his retirement in February 2013. 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 currently serves as a consultant to us and as a part-time advisor to privately-held restaurant businesses. 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 S. LEVIN has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2021 and 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 retired in 2005 as Chairman of Yum! Restaurants International (also known as “YRI”). YRI is the International Division of Yum! Brands, Inc. (“Yum!”), which operates and franchises Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC Restaurants. Mr. Bassi led YRI from June 1997 to 2005. Prior to this assignment, he was in charge of YRI’s Asian business. Yum! was created in 1997 in a spin-off from PepsiCo, Inc. 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. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Bassi also served on the Board of Directors of publicly-held The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY) and from 2013 to 2015, he served on the Board of Directors of publicly-held AmRest Holdings SE (WSE: EAT), which is based in Poland.

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 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, serving first as Chief People Officer and, since October 2020, as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief People Officer, where she is responsible for human resources, global real estate and facilities, and global enablement. Ms. Chaurasia was previously the Chief Human Resources Officer at Ericsson from 2010 to 2016. She joined Ericsson after working for Hewlett-Packard from 2007 to 2010, where she was the Vice President of Global Talent. Prior to that, Ms. Chaurasia was Vice President of Global Human Resources at Gap Inc. from 2003 to 2007. Ms. Chaurasia has also 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. Since January 2018, Mr. Dal Pozzo has served as Chairman of the Board of The Jacmar Companies. Mr. Dal Pozzo served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Jacmar Companies from January 2013 to December 2017, as the President of The Jacmar Companies from 1993 to January 2013, and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Jacmar Companies from 1987 to 1992. Prior to working for The Jacmar Companies, Mr. Dal Pozzo served as the 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 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 Independent Director at Papa Murphy’s Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) between December 2017 and 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), her focus is on mergers & 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 of The Body ShopTM skin and hair care stores, and served as a national representative to the Franchisee Board. From 2000 to 2018, she served on the Board of Directors of Savers, Inc., the largest for-profit thrift store retailer in the world. 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 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).

JANET M. SHERLOCK has been a member of our Board of Directors since January 2019. Ms. Sherlock currently serves as the Chief Information 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 the 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 has also held various business and technology leadership roles at Calico Corners/Everfast, Inc., Guess?, Inc., BP and ExxonMobil from 1998 to 2008.

GREGORY A. TROJAN has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2012. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from December 2012 until August 2021, and he also held the additional title of President from December 2012 until January 2018. Prior to joining us, Mr. Trojan was employed by Guitar Center, Inc., a leading retailer of musical instrument products, where he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 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, having served 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 he 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.

PATRICK D. WALSH has been a member of our Board of Directors since June 2014. Since September 2016, Mr. Walsh has served as Chief Executive Officer of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLUB), an owner and operator of fitness clubs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Mr. Walsh has also served as a director of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. since March 2015, and served as Executive Chairman from June 2015 to August 2016. As a result of the closure of its fitness clubs and suspension of monthly membership dues at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain subsidiaries of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11, title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Since August 2012, Mr. Walsh also has served as the Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer of PW Partners, LLC, an investment management firm focused on long-term value creation for small and mid-cap companies. From December 2011 to August 2012, Mr. Walsh was Managing Partner of PWK Partners, LLC, a value-oriented, private investment firm. From March 2008 to September 2011, Mr. Walsh served as partner at Oak Street Capital Management, LLC, a long-short, value-oriented, private investment management firm. From August 2004 to February 2008, Mr. Walsh was a Vice President at Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. Mr. Walsh served on the Board of Directors of BBQ Holdings, Inc. (formerly Famous Dave’s of America, Inc.) (NASDAQ: BBQ), an owner, operator and franchisor of barbecue restaurants, from 2013 to 2019, and on the Board of Directors of Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: TACO) from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Walsh is a Chartered Financial Analyst.