Roti Mediterranean Grill names new CEO

Roti Mediterranean Grill has named Carl Segal chief executive, replacing Ed Berg, who will step down effective Feb. 18.

Previously, Segal was senior vice president of Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC, which, like Roti, is based in Chicago. Before joining Potbelly, Segal was a founding partner of Bistrot Zinc in Chicago and served as a principal in the consulting firm Segal Eslick Associates. His career began at Chicago’s multiconcept powerhouse Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc., where Segal managed restaurants and developed new concepts for 10 years.

“I’m thrilled to join Roti because I love the concept,” Segal said in a statement. “I have been a customer for years and immediately connected with their focus on high-quality ingredients, bold spices and strong people culture that make Roti a company with a great future.”

In a statement, Roti board chairman Mats Lederhausen thanked Berg, who came out of retirement 14 months ago to refocus the brand’s people culture as chief executive.

“The board is extremely grateful to Ed for strengthening and building the culture of Roti as we expanded our brand into New York City,” Lederhausen said. “We know that Carl can take the brand to the next level by developing a systematic approach to the sourcing and preparation of our food, to training our people and to advancing our technological capabilities.”

Nation’s Restaurant News named Roti a Breakout Brand in 2013, identifying the chain as a hot emerging concept.

The fast-casual, Mediterranean-themed chain has 19 locations in the Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., markets.

Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
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