Mediterranean fast-casual chain Luna Grill has added its first chief brand officer as well as a new chief financial officer, both industry veterans.
Rich Pinnella, the chain’s new CBO, worked as an executive with Taco Bell for two decades. Most recently, he was a vice president and general manager.
Bob Bartlett, who has held senior finance positions with CKE Restaurants and Real Mex Restaurants, is Luna Grill’s CFO.
Both Pinnella and Bartlett will work to steer the brand as it grows, the company said.
Rich Pinnella
"I am energized to work with the teams, making the brand more accessible, contemporary and telling the story about our ingredient quality and scratch kitchens,” Pinnella said in a statement. “People love our food, but don’t realize all the quality that goes into our clean ingredients and daily preparation.”
Bob Bartlett
San Diego-based Luna Grill, which opened its 50th location Friday, was founded in 2004. The chain saw sales grow more than 20% in 2018 over the previous year, according to data from Restaurant Business sister company Technomic.
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