Leadership

Diversified Restuarant Group and Paris Baguette name new executives

Executive Summary: A roundup of high-level job changes in the restaurant business includes changes for Curbit.
Eric Lavinder and Ben Marmor
Eric Lavinder and Ben Marmor. | Photos courtesy of Paris Baguette and Diversified Restaurant Group.

Executive Summary

Diversified Restaurant Group, a large Taco Bell franchisee and operator of several quick service restaurant brands, has named Ben Marmor to the role of chief financial and strategy officer. In the new role, Marmor is responsible for managing and leading financial initiatives from the company. Marmor has experience spanning multiple industries, including consumer packaged goods manufacturing, distribution, consulting and financial services. He has held positions with brands like Duraflame and Jack Daniel’s.

“Ben’s extensive experience, proven track record, and strategic financial expertise make him an exceptional fit for our team,” said Diversified Restaurant Group CEO and President SG Ellison. “We look forward to his leadership as we continue our growth in this ever-changing business environment.”

Former Duck Donuts CDO, Eric Lavinder, is joining Paris Baguette as its new chief development officer. Lavinder brings over two decades of experience to the role, where he worked in avenues such as finance and operations, eventually finding his passion in development. In the new role, he will support Paris Baguette in reaching its goal of 1,000 U.S. units by 2030.

“We are excited to welcome Eric to the team,” said Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette, in a statement. “He has a rich history and track record in both restaurants and franchising, and his passion for developing people and brands will be crucial as Paris Baguette continues to grow at an exponential rate.”

Curbit, an AI-focused restaurant tech company, has named Fran Dougherty as CEO. Dougherty joined the company in April 2023 and took over the responsibilities of CEO in September. Previously, Dougherty held multiple leadership positions at Microsoft, where he worked for 20 years. At Microsoft, Dougherty was the driving force behind the incubation and scaling of Microsoft Azure, according to a statement.

“Fran is a strategic leader that has executed at the highest levels,” said Curbit Co-Founder, Scott Siegel, in a statement. “His expertise is not only a significant boost for Curbit, but the restaurant/hospital industry as a whole.”

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