Pei Wei Asian Kitchen Inc. on Tuesday named industry veteran Jim Lebs as its new chief financial officer as the fast-casual brand continues to expand its executive team in an effort to fuel growth.
Lebs was most recently CFO of Cicis Pizza, and previously held positions with Sonic Corp. and Jack in the Box Inc. A graduate of California State University-San Bernardino, Lebs has an MBA from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
In two decades of professional experience, Lebs has focused on growth and streamlining organizational structures, the company said in a press release.
“Jim brings extensive financial leadership expertise to our team and he will play a pivotal role in Pei Wei’s continued growth,” said Pei Wei CEO John Hedrick in a statement.
Hedrick himself is relatively new to the Pei Wei, taking the reins in February of this year. Brandon Solano came on board as chief marketing officer in May.
But a C-suite makeover may not be the only changes happening at Pei Wei. Hedrick discussed the brand’s third-party delivery pilot program at the 2017 MUFO conference in Dallas earlier this month.
“Fighting delivery is kind of like fighting gravity, you are going to lose,” he said during a Consumer Picks panel. “We have to figure out a way to make the economics and experience work for both the brand and the guests.”
Dallas-based Pei Wei has more than 200 restaurants in 21 states.
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