GoTo Foods® (formerly known as Focus Brands), parent company of the iconic Auntie Anne’s ®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, appoints Mike Smith as the new Chief Brand Officer of Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Most recently serving as the Moe’s Southwest Grill Vice President of Operations, Mike led all aspects of operational strategy, driving profitability and ensuring consistency across the brand’s 600+ locations. Currently experiencing strong trends in traffic and sales, the brand has a robust plan in place to continue this momentum under Mike’s leadership.
“As a leader, it is always a privilege to be able to watch someone grow in their career and promote them into a new role where they can make a significant impact on the business,” said Shelley Harris, Restaurant Category President at GoTo Foods. “Mike excels at operating in a franchisee-first mindset while implementing operational improvements to enhance guest experience and brand performance. By managing the brand with this laser focus on profitable operations, Moe’s has unlimited runway as we head into 2025 and beyond.”
Prior to joining Moe’s, Mike served as Chief Operating Officer of Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, where he helped lead the growth from just over 40 locations in 2016 to over 100 locations. A highly respected leader in the industry, Mike’s background includes more than 20 years of direct restaurant operations and management experience including his time at Hooters, where he served in various leadership roles for over a decade, supporting both franchisees and the corporate side of the business.
About GoTo Foods
Atlanta-based platform company GoTo Foods (formerly known as Focus Brands) is a leading developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands. As of September 29, 2024, GoTo Foods, through its affiliate brands, is the franchisor and operator of over 6,800 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shoppes, and bakeries in all 50 states and over 65 countries and territories under the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, McAlister’s Deli®, and Schlotzsky’s® brand names, as well as the Seattle’s Best Coffee® brand on certain military bases and in certain international markets. The seven iconic GoTo Foods brands benefit from strong enterprise growth engines, including marketing, digital, technology and franchise sales & development to propel growth and brand performance. Please visit www.gotofoods.com and connect with us on LinkedIn to learn more.
GoTo Foods is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®, the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition and the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience.
About Moe’s Southwest Grill®
Welcome toMoe’s!® Founded in 2000 and based in Atlanta, GA, Moe’s Southwest Grill® is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that serves high quality and fresh southwestern food. Moe’s has an extensive variety of menu items to please the entire family – from bowls and burritos to specialty items like quesadillas, nachos and stacks. As of September 29, 2024, Moe’s Southwest Grill had approximately 600 locations, and select locations offer catering and free chips and salsa with orders. Check us out online at www.moes.com to find a store near you, and then connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
