Joe Koss, who has been president and CEO of Culver Franchising System since 2016, will retire at the end of the year, the parent company of quick-service chain Culver’s said Friday.
Koss has been with the company for 23 years and has decided to spend more time with his family, the company based in Prairie Du Sac, Wis., said.
Recruitment is underway for his replacement.
"Joe has positively impacted so many facets of our company in his time with us, especially his leadership through this unprecedented set of circumstances we've successfully navigated recently," co-founder Craig Culver said in a statement. "That said, we certainly know how important family is and fully support his decision to focus there."
Koss joined Culver’s in 1997 as controller and was promoted to chief financial officer in 2000, a position he held until his promotion to president and CEO.
Since Koss joined the company, Culver’s has grown from 53 locations to nearly 770 restaurants in 25 states, and its burgers and frozen custard have a devoted fanbase, particularly in the upper Midwest.
Culver’s had sales of nearly $1.8 billion in 2019, according to Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 200 data.
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