News
Tasti D-Lite ready for rapid expansion with new hires
May 13, 2010
Frozen dessert chain Tasti D-Lite has recently brought on four top industry professionals with varied backgrounds to build and strengthen its core leadership team. The new hires include:
- Dwayne Greer, franchise development director, who will assist in the company's U.S. expansion plans. With 20 years in franchise development, Greer most recently worked with Dunkin' Brands as part of the Baskin-Robbins sales team.
- Phil Trello, senior manager of real estate, design & construction, who will manage and enhance the company's ability to meet its growing real estate, design and construction demands across the nation. He brings over 20 years of related experience with franchise concepts such as Applebee's, Darden Restaurants and Dunkin' Brands.
- Gianni Zedan, operations supervisor, who will draw on his background in operations, production and warehouse management at companies like The Krystal Co. and Quiznos Subs. In this position, he will be responsible for providing operational assistance and support to the U.S. franchised network in areas including day-day-store management, customer service and new product introductions.
- Judy Goodman, new product marketing manager – a newly created position —will focus on managing the brand's core product offering, as well as developing, introducing and supporting the creation of new products. She brings extensive experience with franchising, product management, marketing and retail sales. Most recently, Judy owned and managed a Super Suppers franchise for more than two years in Spring Hill, Tenn.
- Kent Campbell, graphic designer — another newly created position — will enhance the company's ability to meet its growing graphic needs across a wide spectrum of national, local and individual franchisee initiatives. He brings with him several years of experience in graphic design, photography and print production, including over two years in the franchising sector at RE/MAX of Texas.
The company also announced two promotions. Kurt Ullman, formerly director of international development, was recently promoted to vice president of international development. Ullman oversees the company's international growth and was responsible for the brand's expansion into South Korea and Mexico, along with the upcoming introduction into the United Arab Emirates.
Alex Bernard, who held the position of logistics coordinator, has been promoted to design & construction supervisor. Alex will continue to manage the company's process for designing, building and opening new Tasti D-Lite locations.
The new and promoted executives will help the company pursue its vision of building a 500-center global franchised network.
"We're excited to add these outstanding new people to our already strong management team," said Jim Amos, CEO of Tasti D-Lite, in a news release. "We've built an exceptional team with deep franchising experience at Tasti D-Lite in order to scale our business rapidly and become the world's leader in great-tasting, healthier treats. With Tasti D-Lite now in seven states and three countries, soon to be four, we believe we're well on our way toward achieving this vision."
Since its inception in 1987, Tasti D-Lite has grown to 50 locations and has secured commitments to open more than 300 locations in the coming years. During the past year, Tasti D-Lite has opened new stores in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and expects additional expansion into Missouri, Illinois and California by the end of 2010.
The company also continues its international expansion, with plans to build on its presence in South Korea and Mexico and expand into the United Arab Emirates as well as new countries this year.
Tasti D-Lite has embarked on its ambitious expansion goals with a focus on product innovation, customer engagement and service excellence.
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