Tasti D-Lite, Planet Smoothie CEO steps down

Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie chief executive Jim Amos said he will step down from the position effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Peter D. Holt, the company’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and chief executive.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time, and not just at Tasti,” Amos said. “I’ve got almost 30 years in franchising. [Holt] has been with me for most of those.

“Not only is he a great executive, but he already has a great relationship with franchisees, the associates and developers from both systems,” Amos added.

Holt was not immediately available for comment.

Amos will step down to pursue work as chairman of the company. He will also continue working on franchising and veterans’ initiatives — two of his passions, he noted. “I’m not going away,” he said. “This is a great time for me to do this. I’m ready.”

Prior to joining Tasti D-Lite, Amos was chairman and chief executive at Mail Boxes Etc. He also served as chief executive at Brice Foods.

Amos had been CEO of Tasti D-Lite since 2007. In late 2011, the frozen yogurt chain acquired Planet Smoothie from Petrus Brands in Atlanta, which launched a new co-branding initiative. Holt was integral in completing the transaction, Amos said.

Tasti D-Lite is owned by New York-based private-equity firm Snow Phipps Group.

Franklin, Tenn.-based Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie have about 200 locations combined. There are currently 500 new store locations for both brands planned to open in coming years, according to Amos.

Contact Erin Dostal at [email protected].
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