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Former Caribou execs to become Smashburger operatorsFormer Caribou execs to become Smashburger operators

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 23, 2009

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Rosalyn Mallet and Amy O’Neil, both former Caribou Coffee executives, are partnering with Smashburger to open outposts of the brand in seven airports over the next year, the chain said Tuesday.

Mallet and O'Neil's company, PhaseNext Hospitality, plans to open its first Smashburger units in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental and Washington Ronald Reagan National. The agreement also includes other non-traditional venues such as train stations, military bases and university campuses, Smashburger said.

Scott Crane, president of Smashburger, said the chain’s growth in traditional locations has been “impressive.” Smashburger currently has more than 30 units in operation, and the company has said that it plans to open more than 200 units over the next five years.

“We are pleased to partner with PhaseNext Hospitality and anticipate Smashburger’s continued success in non-traditional expansion,” Crane said.

Mallet, who serves as chief executive and president of Dallas-based PhaseNext, is treasurer of the National Restaurant Association. She most recently was president and interim chief executive of Caribou Coffee and has worked with La Madeleine Bakery and Cafe, Carlson Cos. and T.G.I. Friday’s

O’Neil most recently was senior vice president of operations for Caribou Coffee.

Smashburger was developed and funded with $15 million from private-equity and concept development firm Consumer Capital Partners.

 

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

Read more about:

Caribou Coffee

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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