Restaurant chain appoints former BurgerFi CEO to position
Riko’s Pizza has named Carl Bachmann as president and chief operating officer, the company announced Tuesday.
The Stamford, Conn.-based franchise chain said Bachmann most recently served as CEO at BurgerFi International and Anthony Coal-Fired Pizza. He previously held leadership positions at Smashburger, Ruby Tuesdays, and Bertucci's. The appointment was effective as of Monday.
Bachmann has more than 30 years of hospitality experience, the company said.
“Carl brings not only extensive restaurant and franchise sector experience, but also direct expertise in the pizza space, to our growing business," Rico Imbrogno, founder and CEO of Riko's Pizza, said in a statement "Carl's unparalleled understanding of our industry, coupled with his proven success in responsibly growing brands, perfectly align with our goals for the company.”
At BurgerFi International, Bachmann oversaw a strategy that involved revamping food quality and menus, improving operational standards, and ultimately leading the company through a private sales process.
Bachmann first entered the multi-unit restaurant industry in 1994 with Ruby Tuesdays, serving as a general manager of a single location and working his way up to a director of operations. He franchised Ruby Tuesday in the Long Island market in 1998.
"I could not be more excited to join the Riko's team," Bachmann said. "This a unique and special concept, and over the last decade, Rico and his team have done an outstanding job of putting the fundamentals in place to grow a successful business without losing the authenticity and quality of its food, atmosphere, and overall customer satisfaction.”
Riko's has made several additional C-suite changes:
Luigi Cardillo, the company's long-time head of operations, finance, and technology, was named chief financial and technology officer.
Robert Furnari, the company's former chief financial officer, has transitioned to a new role as chief administrative officer.
Dawn Imbrogno, who had overseen the company's human resources and payroll since its inception, was named chief human resources officer.
Riko’s Pizza, founded in 2011, has 12 restaurants, with four corporate-owned and eight franchised locations across Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.
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