Zoës Kitchen, the Mediterranean-flavored fast-casual concept, has promoted chief operating officer Kevin Miles to the post of president, enabling current chairman and chief executive Greg Dollarhyde to return to his role as executive chairman of the 45-unit chain.
Dollarhyde, who has piloted the Birmingham, Ala.-based concept since taking the reins in 2007, called Miles “an outstanding leader and a talented restaurant executive with extensive experience growing fast-casual restaurant chains.”
Prior to joining Zoës Kitchen in 2009 as vice president of operations, Miles had held executive posts at La Madeleine, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill and Pollo Campero.
Dollarhyde, an industry veteran who partnered with the Los Angeles-based private equity firm Brentwood Associates as a financial partner in the chain in 2007, said Zoës has been on a growth trajectory over the past several years. He said same-store sales grew by 12 percent in 2010 and revenues are on target to increase by 60 percent in 2011. Zoës also is on track to have 60 corporate and franchised outlets open by the end of the year.
Commenting on the appointment, Miles said, “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our financial partners, Brentwood Associates, Greg and our fantastic team to build on our sales momentum and accelerated growth.”
Founded in 1995 Zoës specializes in specialty sandwiches, salads, pitas, hot entrées and roll-ups.
Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].