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Former P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun joins Garnett Station Partners as operating partnerFormer P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun joins Garnett Station Partners as operating partner

Adamolekun joins the New York city-based principal investment firm after four years as CEO of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Asian-American casual-dining brand

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 17, 2024

1 Min Read
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Adamolekun returns to the investing world after a brief career with restaurants.Garnett Station Partners

Joanna Fantozzi

Former P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun is joining New York City-based principal investment firm, Garnett Station Partners as operating partner after four years helming the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Asian-American casual-dining brand through the COVID years.  

In his new role, Adamolekun will help identify new investment opportunities and drive innovation, value, and efficiency for Garnett Station’s portfolio of brands, which includes Pollo Tropical, Primanti Bros, Twin Peaks, Checkers, and Carrols Restaurant Group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Damola, a recognized and respected innovator in the restaurant industry, to our team. Damola’s industry knowledge of operational excellence and growth strategies will be a tremendous value-add to our portfolio of brands,” Alex Sloane, cofounder and managing partner of Garnett Station Partners said in a statement.

Before joining P.F. Chang’s as CEO and director of the executive board, Adamolekun was formerly a partner at New York-based investment firm, Paulson & Co. He also previously served on the Board of Directors at P.F. Chang’s, Inday, the National Restaurant Association and International Tower Hill Mines and as a Board Observer for Bausch Health Companies.

“Matt, Alex and the entire Garnett Station team have an impressive track record of creating value and turbo-charging growth across all their brands,” Adamolekun said in a statement. “I am eager to continue the firm’s mission of partnering with exceptional companies and leadership teams across Garnett Station’s portfolio to help them reach their full potential.”

Related:Damola Adamolekun to step down as CEO of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

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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