Austin based Gatti’s Pizza, announces the addition of top industry talent to lead the heritage pizza company into new and exciting territory. Blue Sage Capital, a private equity investment firm and owner of the iconic pizza brand, has hired restaurant industry executive Richard Snead as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Blue Sage Capital co-founding partner, Jim McBride, explains, “Gatti’s Pizza is a mature brand at the crossroads of reinvention. It’s a tough, but exciting category that faces several challenges but has significant opportunities. We are extremely fortunate to find a leader of Richard’s caliber. After an extensive, nationwide search we are confident that Richard’s experience, skill set and personality are the perfect fit to grow the Gatti’s brand and navigate the complexities of this business.”
Richard says, “Returning to this great industry and joining Gatti’s Pizza was a very personal decision. The pizza category is being “re-born” much like hamburgers have been. Flavor, Fresh and Fast are sweet spots. Gatti’s Pizza heritage is uniquely suited in this opportunity. We intend to be players. “
Mr. Snead, is a recognized restaurant veteran with more than 30 years of experience. Most recently he worked for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc. where he led casual dining giant TGI Friday’s to category leading success. As President and Chief Executive Officer for Carlson Restaurants, Richard led global teams for over 800 T.G.I. Friday’s and 100 Pick Up Stix restaurants. Under Richards’s direction, combined system sales grew to approximately $3B in 47 states and 60 countries. Previously Mr. Snead worked for the Burger King Corporation where he held positions of SVP Development, EVP Operations, and President of International. He has received industry recognition including a Golden Chain Award, Restaurant Industry Operator of the Year Award, and Carlson was named as a Great Place to Work in Texas for 3 years in a row. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee in Engineering and has served for 9 years on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors. He is married to his wife Marilyn and has two sons, Adam and Eric.
Based in Austin, Texas, Gatti’s Pizza (Mr. Gatti’s, LP) is a privately held company with franchises in thirteen states located throughout the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest. The first Gatti’s location opened in 1969 in Austin, TX.
For more information, please contact: Granya Gormley, VP, Human Resources and Training, Gatti’s Pizza. Email: ggormley@gattispizza.com. Phone: 512.744.4987. http://www.gattispizza.com
