Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe has promoted its chief innovation officer, a former franchisee, to the company’s top post.
As CEO, Dan Simpson will focus on adding nearly 20 units to the fast casual this year, the company announced. Taziki’s currently has 83 locations in 16 states.
Simpson will work with Taziki’s founder Keith Richards to expand the chain, with Richards managing units in Birmingham, Ala., as well as culinary research and development for the company.
“Dan is working closely with me to carry out my vision for the next 20 years of Taziki’s,” Richards said in a statement. “His passion for working to create the new ‘Mediterranean-Coastal’ design for our restaurants has been an integral part of this process.”
New design elements include communal tables and an updated color scheme.
Later this year, Simpson will spearhead the launch of Taziki’s loyalty program.
Before joining Taziki’s, Simpson was founder and CEO of mobile ordering company ToGo Technologies.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.