Former Così CEO succeeds Frank Paci
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McAlister’s Deli has named Carin Stutz president, the company said Monday.
The Alpharetta, Ga.-based limited-service sandwich chain said Stutz assumed the role Nov. 17, succeeding Frank Paci, who left in September to become president and chief executive of Lakewood, Colo.-based Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc.
Stutz was most recently president and chief executive of Deerfield, Ill.-based Così Inc.
Prior to Così, Stutz served as president of global business development for Dallas-based Brinker International Inc., parent to the Chili’s Bar & Grill and Maggiano’s Little Italy brands, and executive vice president of operations for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar. Earlier, she served as a division vice president for Wendy’s International.
“Carin’s vast experience in building great teams, creating brand differentiation, driving operations and delivering results make her an ideal candidate for the position,” said Steve DeSutter, chief executive of McAlister’s parent Focus Brands Inc.
McAlister’s ranked No. 88 in the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 survey, with an estimated $459 million in U.S. systemwide sales in 2013, an increase from $419 million in the prior-year period.
McAlister’s has more than 330 restaurants in 24 states. The company has corporate offices in Alpharetta, Ga., and Ridgeland, Miss.
Focus Brands, which also owns Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s, is a division of private-equity firm Roark Capital Group. Both companies are based in Atlanta.
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