Beans & Brews Coffeehouse on Wednesday named former Del Taco President Chad Gretzema its CEO, hoping that the longtime industry executive will lead the chain into a new era of growth.
Gretzema was named Del Taco president last year, but last month the company named Tom Rose its new president, saying that Gretzema had stepped down “to pursue a new opportunity.” That opportunity is apparently Beans & Brews, which is based in Salt Lake City and operates 69 locations.
The chain wants to get bigger. The franchisor, which generated $40 million in system sales in 2022, is targeting 100 locations by 2025 and is moving into a new chapter. Jeff and Kevin Laramie, who founded the chain in 1993, will remain on the Beans & Brew board of directors and will remain “significant shareholders.” Jeff Laramie had been CEO.
“We believe that with Chad at the helm, the company is poised to achieve even greater heights,” Jeff Laramie said in a statement, citing Gretzema’s “passion for building brands and supporting franchisees.”
Chad Gretzema | Photo courtesy of Beans & Brews
Gretzema held various leadership roles with Del Taco, including chief operating officer and SVP of strategic planning. He had taken over as company president after the company was bought by Jack in the Box.
Before Del Taco he had held multiple marketing and operations roles with Einstein Noah Restaurant Group.
Gretzema will lead the brand as it pushes into new states. The company recently signed development deals to open 40 stores in San Antonio and Austin in Texas and has awarded 29 other franchise agreements in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. It is also working on deals in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.
Beans & Brews received an investment from Charger Investment Partners in late 2020.
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