Ahead of its next chapter of growth, the Hawaiian-style food brand promotes its VP of Operations to the C-Suite
In 2010, John Konyn joined Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food as an hourly employee when it had just two locations. Today, with 55 stores across seven states and positive same-store sales growth for the past 13 years, Konyn has been named Chief Operations Officer.
“John’s ability to adapt, learn, grow, and hone his leadership skills has seen him rise through our growth ladder from team member to now COO,” said Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo’ Bettahs. “John has a passion for Mo’ Bettahs, a commitment to our culture, and, most importantly, a love for our teams in the restaurants who serve up Aloha to our guests daily. We wouldn’t be where we are today without him, and he is perfectly suited to lead our operations as we continue to grow our national footprint.”
Konyn’s most recent role was Vice President of Operations. With the brand’s explosive growth, he was pivotal in training and developing team members to take on GM, DM, and DO roles. As the COVID pandemic started, he led the charge to keep Mo’ Bettahs SSS positive and continued to open new locations in 2020. With product supply chain challenges and rising costs, he was instrumental in improving food cost performance, which directly increased EBITDA from mid-teens to mid-20%.
“What I love most about working for Mo’ Bettahs is that we are creating opportunities for our team as we grow,” Konyn said. “I was drawn to Mo’ Bettahs because of the team and culture that pushed me to challenge myself and constantly improve. As we grow, we have the opportunity to mentor future leadership of the brand and the industry. We have something special here, and I can’t wait for what’s coming next.”
Founded by Hawaii-born brothers Kimo and Kalani Mack, Mo’ Bettahs has been serving up authentic Hawaiian plate lunch since 2008. In 2017, the fast casual brand was acquired by Savory Fund, an innovative private equity firm that invests in emerging restaurant concepts. Together, they have scaled the award-winning concept across the country.
“John has been such a pivotal player on our team for more than a decade,” said Kimo Mack, co-founder of Mo’ Bettahs. “He willingly takes on any challenges we have with humility and enthusiasm. John has a bright future with us and in the restaurant industry.”
Mo’ Bettahs was founded in Bountiful, Utah in 2008 by Kimo and Kalani Mack with a goal of providing guests with an authentic Hawaiian island barbeque experience, just like they enjoyed while growing up in Oahu, Hawaii. Since partnering with Savory Fund, Mo’ Bettahs has grown to 55 locations in Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Nevada, and Kansas. Mo’ Bettahs has plans to spread the aloha spirit to more communities through continued expansion in the coming months and years, even being named at #46 on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list in 2023. Mo’ Bettahs offers dine-in, takeout and catering. For more information, visit Mo’ Bettahs’ website or follow on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Savory Fund is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 15 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements, and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. Savory is currently invested in 11 brands: Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Houston TX Hot Chicken, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, and South Block. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.
- More from Mo’ Bettahs
