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Friendly’s/Brix Holdings names Carissa DeSantis chief technology officerFriendly’s/Brix Holdings names Carissa DeSantis chief technology officer

The former Dickey’s Barbecue CIO will oversee digital efforts at the multiconcept group

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

December 15, 2021

1 Min Read
Friendlys restaurant ext 1
JAMCO is parent to the Friendly's chain and multiconcept franchise group BRIX Holdings.Friendly's

JAMCO Interests LLC, the parent of Friendly’s and Brix Brands, has named Carissa DeSantis to the role of chief technology officer, the Dallas-based company said Wednesday.

Formerly the chief information officer at Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc., DeSantis will oversee the technology and digital efforts across JAMCO’s brands, which include Friendly’s and the Brix Brands portfolio: Red Mango, Orange Leaf, Souper Salad, Smoothie Factory and Red Brick Pizza.

Carissa_DeSantis_Head_Shot.jpegJAMCO is the majority stakeholder in Brix Holdings, the franchisor of Brix Brands, and of Amici Partners LLC, an investor group that acquired Friendly’s in late 2020

It’s a coming home of sorts for DeSantis. Before working at Dickey’s, DeSantis led restaurant technology for TGI Fridays. JAMCO is also a member of TriArtisan TGIF Partners LLC, which is majority owner of TGIF Holdings LLC, which owns and operates the casual-dining chain TGI Fridays.

Sherif Mityas, JAMCO operating partner, said in a statement, “As we broaden our business and accelerate our growth through our portfolio brands, Carissa’s expertise and leadership across a broad array of innovative technologies will deliver unique and differentiated experiences for our guests and team members, which will be the foundation for all our brands moving forward.”

Related:Curtis Blake, Friendly's co-founder, dies at 102

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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