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Burger King, Popeyes, Pizza Hut franchisee GPS Hospitality promotes Michael Lippert to presidentBurger King, Popeyes, Pizza Hut franchisee GPS Hospitality promotes Michael Lippert to president

Atlanta-based company elevates COO to post

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 4, 2020

1 Min Read
GPS Hospitality Burger King 700
Atlanta-based GPS Hospitality, a large Burger King franchisee, promotes Michael Lippert to president.GPS Hospitality

GPS Hospitality, a franchisee of Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut, has promoted Michael Lippert to president, the company said Tuesday.

The Atlanta-based company said Lippert, previously GPS’ chief operating officer, would oversee company development in addition to his leadership of restaurant operations, marketing and training. He will continue to report to Tom Garrett, founder and CEO of GPS Hospitality.

GPS Hospitality Michael Lippert More Recent.jpg“Michael’s strength of character, drive and work ethic has made him a valuable partner and an impactful leader,” said Garrett, left, in a statement. “I’ve worked with Michael for more than 20 years and admire his ability to not only see the big picture, but also manage the details.”

Lippert joined GPS in 2016 as COO, where he directed day-to-day operations and marketing. Previously, he held leadership roles at Captain D’s Restaurants, Arby’s Restaurant Group and RTM Restaurant Group. Prior to joining GPS Hospitality, he served as vice president of national foodservices at Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers.

“Over the past few years, I’ve had the honor of helping the team expand from 200 restaurants to almost 500, including the addition of a third brand,” Lippert said in a statement.

GPS in April 2019 added 75 Pizza Hut restaurants in four states to its portfolio in two separate deals. At the time, company executives said GPS’ year sales were about $650 million. GPS, founded in 2012, has nearly 500 restaurants in 13 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

Read more about:

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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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