800 Degrees gets new management, capital infusion

800 degrees neopolitan pizza

The 800 Degrees fast-casual pizza chain has appointed former Cheeseburger in Paradise president Steve Overholt as CEO following an undisclosed investment in the brand by a Cleveland-based venture capital firm, Murfey Ventures.

Scott Berkowitz, a hotel developer, was named chief development officer for 800 Degrees.

Both positions are new for the company.

The changes will enable 800 Degrees to expand through area development agreements and overseas licensing deals, the chain said.

Overholt headed Cheeseburger in Paradise, the Jimmy Buffet-inspired full-service burger concept, while it was owned by the then-parent of Outback Steakhouse, OSI. More recently, he was president and CEO of a multi-concept company, Paradise Retaurants.

Berkowitz has been a hotelier. Among his ventures was a boutique hotel in Cleveland.

800 Degrees was founded by chef Anthony Carron. It is a sister concept to Umami Burger. The pizza chain’s website lists 10 locations in the United States and six overseas.

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