Native Foods Café names Craig Grimes CEONative Foods Café names Craig Grimes CEO

Native Foods Café has named former amusement park food and beverage executive Craig Grimes CEO, the company said Tuesday.

Grimes, who has served on Native Foods’ board since April 2012, will succeed former CEO Daniel Dolan, who remains chairman and a member of the board.

Chicago-based Native Foods Café is known for its fast-casual vegan menu. The 26-unit chain doubled in size in 2014, and aims to reach 200 units within four years.

“Native Foods has an extraordinarily loyal customer base, and we’re looking forward to Craig utilizing his operational expertise to help us grow more rapidly, and develop a deeper national footprint,” said Peter Grubstein, vice chairman of Native Foods’ board.

Grimes served most recently as corporate vice president of food and beverage for Cedar Fair LP, which operates a chain of amusement and water parks across the US and Canada. There, Grimes managed and partnered with a number of restaurant chains, including Tim Hortons, Subway, Perkins, TGI Fridays, Famous Dave’s, Dairy Queen, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, among others.

Prior experience includes serving as district manager at Lone Star Steakhouse, and later working for 14 years as regional vice president of Levy Restaurants.

In April, the chain announced a $15 million investment by two private-equity firms, Laurel Crown Partners LLC, based in Los Angeles, and Huntington Capital, based in San Diego. The investment followed a $10 million infusion in 2012 from private-equity firm NGEN Partners, based in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
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