News

Lemonade grabs Wetzel's Pretzels CFO

September 15, 2017

Lemonade Restaurant Group has nabbed Wetzel's Pretzels leader Michael Nishi to head financial operations for the Los Angeles-based fast casual restaurant company. Nishi is a veteran of the industry with specific expertise in helping emerging restaurant companies grow. He fills the role of CFO at Lemonade, just as he did at the QSR brand, a news release said. 

The UCLA alum boasts more than 20 years of financial hospitality experience, holding CFO titles with restaurant companies including Innovative Dining Group, Slater’s 50/50, and most recently, Wetzel's.    

At Wetzel‘s, Nishi was instrumental in growing the concept from 270 units to over 330 and built the brand's current finance team. He also led the financial due diligence process in the company's sale last September to a private equity firm. 

At Lemonade, Nishi will work closely with Kurzweil in continuing to develop the financial model for the chain's next generation of growth.    

"As a longtime admirer of Lemonade, I look forward to building upon the momentum of continued success the brand has experienced since opening their first restaurant in 2008," Nishi said in the release. 

Lemonade is a privately held company with 28 locations in California.