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Velvet Taco names Lee Evans as first CFOVelvet Taco names Lee Evans as first CFO

Fast-casual brand hires new financial chief with background at Rock Bottom, Raising Cane’s and other brands

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 25, 2022

1 Min Read
Velvet Taco CFO Lee Evans San Antonio TX unit
Velvet Taco LLC has named Lee Evans as its first chief financial officer.Velvet Taco LLC

Velvet Taco LLC has named industry veteran Lee Evans as its first chief financial officer, the company announced this week.

Velvet-Taco-Lee-Evans-CFO.jpgThe Dallas-based fast-casual brand, which will open its 32nd location in Tulsa, Okla., next week said Evans has served in senior financial leadership roles at Rock Bottom Restaurants, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, My Fit Foods, Good Smoke Restaurant Group and Scout and Cellar.

Evans will oversee financial reporting, planning and analysis, tax, audit and manage the company’s relationships with lending institutions and investors, the company said.

Clay Dover, Velvet Taco’s CEO, said in statement: “She is the CFO to guide Velvet Taco’s expansion plan for traditional and non-traditional locations.”

In addition to Evan’s appointment, Velvet Taco has promoted Robb Cherne to the role of regional vice president, another new position. Cherne, who has been with Velvet Taco for three years, will oversee operations for Velvet Taco’s locations.

Velvet Taco opened new locations in Nashville, Tenn., in January and in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, in February.

Velvet Taco was founded in 2011. Private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners L.P. of Los Angeles in November bought a “significant stake” in the brand from L Catterton and FB Society.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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Raising Cane’s

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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