The platform company GoTo Foods has a new CEO.
Omer Gajial will lead the Atlanta-based parent of seven franchised brands, effective Tuesday. Owned by Roark Capital, GoTo Foods is the parent of Cinnabon, Carvel, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Schlotzsky’s, McAlister’s Deli and Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Gajial, who served previously as chief merchandising and digital officer with the grocery giant Albertson’s, replaces outgoing CEO Jim Holthouser, who is retiring after six years at the helm, as announced on Monday.
Before Albertson’s, Gajial held leadership roles at Amazon, where he managed category development and marketplace operations for North America. He also worked with PepsiCo, directing global strategy and marketing for markets that included the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and North America.
Omer Gajial. | Photo courtesy of GoTo Foods.
“I am thrilled to join GoTo Foods and lead this incredible family of brands into its next chapter of growth,” said Gajial in a statement. “These brands have a rich legacy of delighting customers worldwide, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team and franchisees to build on that success. Together, we will continue to focus on product innovation, enhancing the guest experiences, scaling efficiencies and driving franchise profitability.”
The new CEO steps in after a multi-year transformation initiative for the platform company that has included a name change (it was previously Focus Brands) and an alignment of the seven brands with shared systems and technology.
GoTo foods is the franchisor and operator of more than 7,100 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops and bakeries across the U.S. and in 70 countries. The company also licenses and franchises the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand on some military bases and in certain international markets.
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