Upward Projects, parent to Postino WineCafé and other concepts, has named industry veteran Kristina Cashman, left, to the new position of chief financial officer, the company said Tuesday.
Cashman most recently served as CFO of Austin, Texas-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar, and earlier held the same role at Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc.
Lauren Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Upward Projects, said in a statement that Cashman “brings deep knowledge, experience and an incredible track record of success” to the new position.
In late 2017, Postino WineCafé drew a significant investment from Los Angeles-based private-equity firm Brentwood Associates, which includes holdings in Blaze Pizza, Lazy Dog Restaurants, Pacific Catch and Veggie Grill.
In addition to eight Postino WineCafé locations in Arizona, Colorado and Texas, Upward Projects owns the Joyride Taco House, Federal Pizza and the Windsor & Churn pub and ice cream parlor.
“I’ve been a guest of Postino since I discovered its original location in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood,” Cashman said in a statement. “Upward Projects has cultivated such a remarkable and fresh, people-first company culture. Combined with a solid partner like Brentwood, there’s an exciting path ahead of us.”
In addition to working with P.F. Chang’s and Hopdoddy, Cashman served as CFO of Eddie V’s Restaurants in Scottsdale, playing a role in its sale to Darden Restaurants Inc.
Upward Projects opened its first Texas location of Postino this year, in Houston. The company plans two new Postino locations in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and a second outpost in the Denver market.
Contact [email protected]
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless
