B.Good, the Boston-based healthy fast-casual chain, on Wednesday named former Dunkin’ Brands executive Chris Fuqua CEO.
Fuqua takes over for Anthony Ackil, the chain’s founder who spent 15 years as CEO. Ackil is stepping down “to focus on his next entrepreneurial venture” and to “spend time with his young family,” the company said. Ackil will remain on the board.
“It has been a tremendous ride since I opened our first restaurant almost 15 years ago with my best friend Jon,” Ackil said in a statement. “We watched our vision grow to almost 70 locations and we made an impact across so many communities with so many of our employees and their families. It is an amazing feeling and I am so proud of what we have accomplished.”
But he said it was “time for me to pass the torch to Chris,” whom Ackil said is “the right person to bring our company to its next level and was my very first choice to succeed me as CEO.”
Fuqua spent more than eight years at Dunkin’ and served in a variety of leadership roles, including marketing, operations, supply chain and strategy. He had been on the B.Good board when he was tapped to be CEO.
He takes over a chain that generated $50 million in U.S. system sales last year, up 39%, according to Technomic data. Average unit volumes grew 1.4% to just under $1.1 million.
“There are very few companies with the authenticity, mission-driven focus and brand identity that B.Good has developed over the years,” Fuqua said in a statement. “The future of B.Good is incredibly bright and I look forward to leading us through the next phase of growth.”
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