Firebird Restaurant Group announced today two promotions and a pair of new hires as it prepares for further expansion of its popular dining concepts and other new ventures.
Tim Schroder has been promoted to Vice President of Operations Services. Prior to joining Firebird as Director of Operations Services in Jan. 2013, Tim served as Vice President of Marketing with Which Wich Superior Sandwiches and Texas Land & Cattle/Lone Star Steakhouse, and Director of Franchise Field Marketing for Applebee’s. At Firebird, Tim’s expertise has been successfully applied to several key areas throughout the organization, including new store openings, marketing, purchasing, analysis, leadership and strategic development.
Anne Alexander has been promoted to Vice President of Accounting & Controller, after serving as Controller since June 2015. Anne previously worked with Service King, Sambuca and Goldman Sachs and as a contractor for other major companies. During her tenure with Firebird, Anne has built a strong team that ensures operational clarity, financial transparency and a map for improved performance of the company’s systems, financials and people.
“I am so pleased to promote both Tim and Anne into their new positions,” said Darius Gilanfar, Chief Operating Officer of Firebird Restaurant Group, LLC. “They have both made invaluable contributions to our organization since joining us and this is a well-deserved recognition. I will be counting on both of them as we continue to expand our existing concepts and introduce new ventures in the months and years ahead.”
In addition, Blythe Grates has been hired as Director of Marketing. Blythe comes to Firebird from Sleep Experts, where she served as Marketing Director for nearly three years. Prior to that, she worked as National Advertising Manager for Pizza Hut, Program Manager at Blockbuster and in management roles with leading advertising agencies.
Firebird has also hired Tom Moores as its Director of Development. Tom’s professional experience includes stints with restaurant operators Corner Bakery Cafe, Le Duff America and Dave & Buster’s. Previously, he was Owner and President of Moores Construction LLC in the DFW area.
Firebird Restaurant Group, LLC is owned by its CEO, Mike Karns. Firebird currently has four popular restaurant concepts, with 40 locations in two states: El Fenix Mexican Restaurant, Meso Maya, Taqueria La Ventana and Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar, with its newest concept, Tortaco, opening soon. In addition to Firebird Restaurant Group, Karns owns Sunrise Mexican Foods, which produces high-quality Mexican food products including fresh made chips, tortillas, flautas and tamales for retail and food service operations coast-to-coast.
