Zachary Koff is the new president of Daily Provisions, effective Sept. 16, the all-day café concept of Union Square Hospitality Group said Thursday.
Koff joins four-unit Daily Provisions from Shake Shack, which was started by Danny Meyer’s USHG and went public in 2015. Koff had worked in operations at Shake Shack since 2010 and had been its chief operating officer since January of 2017.
Both concepts are based in New York City.
“The appointment of Zach is testimony to the confidence, commitment and excitement we feel for Daily Provisions,” USHG CEO Chip Wade said in the press release announcing the hire. “What started as an annex to Union Square Cafe — meant to be a gift to its neighborhood — has emerged as a beloved business with a devoted following and true sense of community. We know that Zach has the operational know-how to successfully scale Daily Provisions, while maintaining and advancing the commitment we feel towards our employees.”
Daily Provisions’ fifth location, in Brooklyn, is slated to open “in the coming weeks,” according to the release.
This is something of a return to USHG for Koff, who started working at its Tabla restaurant as a summer intern in 2001, while studying at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y.
He went on to work for the Bravo/Brio chain for eight years before joining Shake Shack.
As Daily Provisions’ president he will oversee operations and focus on growth, innovation, community investment, and innovation, while also strengthening the concept’s identity, the release said. He will work closely with Wade and Meyer as well as executive culinary director Claudia Fleming.
“I’ve been enjoying (and craving!) Daily Provisions’ crullers and breakfast sandwiches since its inception,” Koff said in the release. “For me, there’s nothing more professionally thrilling than joining an organization that’s poised for growth. Daily Provisions is a dynamic brand with deep neighborhood roots. I’m looking forward to working alongside the talented team, laying the groundwork for Daily Provisions’ next chapter.”
In addition to the original Union Square location, Daily Provisions also operates on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, West Village, and Manhattan West. The Brooklyn location will be in Cobble Hill.
Meyer praised Koff for his leadership skills.
“I’ve had the privilege of having a front row seat to Zach’s remarkable evolution as a spirited and beloved leader,” he said in a statement. “I’ve seen the pivotal role he’s played in providing meaningful career paths for so many other leaders across the country. I can’t wait to watch the Daily Provisions team thrive and benefit from his gifts. Under Zach’s guidance, we look forward to bringing Daily Provisions to more neighborhoods in New York and beyond.”
The restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also operate a full bar.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]