Texas-based Hat Creek Burger Co. is looking to expand beyond the Lone Star State and has hired a new chief strategy officer to help with those plans.
Austin, Texas-based Hat Creek, which has 27 units, recently hired Chris Phillips, left, of Atlanta to expand the 13-year-old brand.
“His extensive experience will be an asset to the executive team, and we will lean on him to help shape the next wave of growth for Hat Creek Burger Co.,” said Drew Gressett, founder of the concept, in a statement.
“Chris has a great history of servant leadership making him a cultural fit with our brand and our team members,” Gressett said.
In Phillips’ new role, the company said, he will work with Hat Creek’s senior leaders to plan for long-term business growth and create new business development opportunities through strategic partnerships and corporate development.
Phillips most recently served as chief investment officer and managing director for Atticus Franchise Group, owner and operator of 130 franchised locations of Massage Envy and Sonic.
Previously, he served three years as chief strategy officer at GPS Hospitality, the owner and operator of about 500 Burger King, Popeyes and Pizza Hut restaurants in 13 states. Earlier, he was vice president of finance strategy, analytics and insights at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and senior director of finance and strategy at Darden Restaurants Inc.
“Hat Creek is a fantastic, well-established restaurant brand in Texas,” said Phillips. “What makes this place special are its loyal customers, dedicated employees and Drew’s vision for the future.”
Hat Creek Burger Co. started as a food trailer in Austin. Founded in 2008, it now has 10 restaurants in the Austin area, 11 in Dallas/Fort Worth, three in Houston and one each in the Texas cities of San Antonio, Temple and Waco.
Hat Creek restaurants on average cover about 4,000 square feet and seat about 130, a spokesperson said.
The breakfast through dinner menu features tacos, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders and milk shakes. Salad and gluten-free options are also available.
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