Michele Maerz has been named president of Salata Salad Kitchen. She previously held the role of vice president of operations for the concept, which she joined in 2021.
Maerz replaces Michelle Bythewood, who joined Salata in 2019 and who helped select Maerz as her replacement.
“While it is a very hard decision to leave Salata, I am confident that Michele, with her operational background, will continue to grow the brand in the right direction,” Bythewood said in a statement, adding that she has joined another brand out of California but offering no further details.
Maerz brings over 30 years of restaurant industry experience to her role, including as regional vice president of On The Border Grill & Cantina, where she was responsible for leading operations of 39 casual dining restaurants in six states. Prior, she spent four years at Lazy Dog Restaurants as regional director of the Texas and North Carolina markets. She also served as area vice president of BJ’s Restaurants and started in the industry serving 15 years at Brinker International.
In her operations role at Salata, Maerz oversaw an improvement in operational procedures; the solidification of a partnership that opens new revenue streams on corporate campuses and facilities; the roll out of several new menu items, including a Certified Angus Beef steak protein; and the launch of the Salata Mobile Kitchen to assist operations during remodels.
In her role as president, Maerz will be responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of the Salata brand, and ensuring operational excellence at the chain’s more than 90 corporate and franchised locations. She also plans to double the chain’s footprint.
“I’m excited to step into this new role and take over where Michelle left off. I can’t express my thanks enough to Michelle for her confidence, leadership, mentorship, and friendship built during our time together,” Maerz said in a statement. “My focus as president will be to carry the brand forward with quality as our compass, build upon operational efficiencies, and double our restaurant count over the next 5 years.”
Founded in 2005, Salata is a Houston-based, customizable salad concept with 92 locations in Texas, Georgia, Southern California, Louisiana and North Carolina.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]