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FG Financial and former Jimmy John’s CEO form Craveworthy restaurant groupFG Financial and former Jimmy John’s CEO form Craveworthy restaurant group

The four starter brands include Wing It On, Krafted Burger + Tap, Budlong Hot Chicken, and The Lucky Cat Poke Company

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 27, 2023

2 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

FG Financial, a reinsurance and asset management company, announced Friday the formation of Craveworthy restaurant group in partnership with former Jimmy John’s CEO Gregg Majewski.

Craveworthy is the second project in FG Financial’s newly formed merchant banking division, and includes Chicago-based Budlong Hot Chicken and Krafted Burger Tap, Raleigh, N.C.-based Wing it On, and newly formed concept, the Lucky Cat Poke Company, which will open its first location in 2023, along with 50 ghost kitchens.

In total the four brands have 19 locations spread across 18 states, with an additional 18 franchised location on the way, along with the opportunity to acquire or form more concepts under the Craveworthy umbrella.  

"I’m excited to launch Craveworthy in partnership and with support from the team at FG Financial,” Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy said in a statement. “Each of our current brands is primed for significant growth, both through additional franchise locations and through Craveworthy-owned locations. In addition, we are cultivating potential acquisition opportunities that can further add to Craveworthy’s platform growth."

Majewski held multiple positions in the c-suite at Jimmy John’s, including CEO, from 1998-2003, where he increased the company’s portfolio tenfold and has since had leadership positions in a restaurant development group and will continue as the current CEO of Mongolian Concepts, which includes Genghis Grill.

"I’ve known Gregg for several years and I’m excited to be partnering with him on Craveworthy,” FG Financial Group CEO Larry Swets said in a statement. “He’s a great operator whose had significant success in his career. We believe he can bring that success to Craveworthy. The formation of Craveworthy is further evidence of the capabilities of our merchant banking team. We look forward to growing Craveworthy into a leading restaurant brand platform."

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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