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Salata names first CMOSalata names first CMO

Michelle Bythewood joins Houston-based salad-bar chain

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 23, 2017

1 Min Read
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Salata Holdings LLC has named Michelle Bythewood as its first chief marketing officer, the company said Tuesday.

Bythewood will lead brand management and strategy, national and field marketing, media, digital strategy, marketing technology and product innovation, according to the Houston-based salad-bar chain.

Michelle Bythewood

Photo: Salata

Michelle_Bythewood_CMO_Salata_Aug2017_1.jpg“I am delighted to welcome Michelle to our team at this important stage of our brand’s growth,” said Berge Simonian, Salata founder and CEO, in a statement. “The wealth of experience Michelle brings in brand management, product pipeline, marketing strategy, marketing calendar execution and creative direction will help propel our brand forward for many years to come.” 

Bythewood is a 27-year veteran of restaurant marketing and mostly recently the founder and principal of Field Marketing Focus LLC, a marketing consulting firm.

She previously served as vice president of brand marketing for Cicis, senior director of field marketing for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and brand vice president of marketing for Focus Brand’s Schlotzsky’s/Cinnabon Express.

“Salata is an emerging brand dedicated to supporting healthy lifestyles, and that’s something I am very passionate about,” Bythewood said. “I look forward to helping lead the continued growth and innovation of this one-of-a-kind salad concept.”

Salata was founded in 2005 and has more than 65 company-owned and franchised locations in California, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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