Female Food Fête
A celebration of restaurant industry boss ladies, in honor of International Women’s Day.
In November 2017, one study showed that 45.9% of all food service managers are women. Additionally, in management, professional and related occupations, 51.5% are women. In a business that has been a bit of a boys club since its conception, it is a truly incredible feat for so many women to have achieved such success in this field. As today is International Women’s Day, we would like to take a moment to honor a few of the inspirational souls who are paving the way for more successful businesswomen to come in the quick-service food industry.
Five Inspirational Women in Food Service Leadership
Suzanne Greco- President and CEO of Subway
When Fred Deluca opened what would become Subway’s first restaurant in 1965, his younger sister Suzanne Greco was only 7 years old. Several years later, she found herself working as a “sandwich artist” in Subway stores in Connecticut. After finishing her studies at Sacred Heart University, Suzanne returned to Subway and began working her way up the corporate ladder.
Suzanne was named Fred’s successor in January 2015, when he became ill. After his passing in September of the same year, she continued running the family business. Suzanne is bringing Subway back to glory with a more modern feel in a new design, Fresh Forward. In a 2017 interview with Franchise Times, she stated, “Fred started with one restaurant and I know what our franchisees are going through. I want to listen to their challenges and help improve their businesses.” One of Suzanne’s goals is to create better relations with franchisees.
Christine Specht- President and CEO of Cousins Subs
In 1972 another Sub-loving family opened a sandwich shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Christine Specht’s father, Bill Specht and his cousin, Jim Sheppard transplanted their favorite East Coast sandwich in their hometown. Christine began working in the family business at 15 but stepped away after graduating with a degree in criminology and a master’s in public administration, to pursue other interests.
In 2001 Christine made her return to the quick service industry as HR manager. With her sights set on driving the business forward and a desire to help people, she stepped into several roles finally settling into the position of CEO. With the company now entering its 46th year, Christine has seen the company through a large scale re-branding effort and continues to put an emphasis on the history, values, and beliefs that Cousins Subs stands for.
Mary Jane Riva- President and CEO of Pizza Factory
After a 24 year history of being a Pizza Factory franchisee and working as a member of the company’s marketing team, Mary purchased the California-based company and stepped into the role of CEO in 2012.
In the time since taking over the company, Mary successfully launched a company-wide anti-bullying campaign called the “No Bully Zone,” an effort that she began in her own store prior to the purchase. In an effort to raise awareness of school bullying, restaurant locations sold t-shirts and promoted the message through school videos and billboards.
In addition to her positive social impact movement, she has expanded the brand with plans for more locations across the country. Pizza factory underwent a makeover in 2014, debuting open kitchen concepts and presenting themselves as a place for families to come and enjoy their pizzas at the location, rather than offsite.
Roz Mallet- President and CEO of PhaseNext Hospitality
A firm believer in servant leadership and paying it forward, Roz Mallet began her career at an El Chico restaurant, a restaurant chain dedicated to giving back. She began as a cashier, working summers while in college, and was promoted to supervisor within a few months. When faced with the choice of teaching or a career in restaurant management, it is clear that she made the right choice in the latter as Roz worked as an assistant manager prior to the corporate training department.
When then president of El Chico left for a position with Wallace B. Doolin at W.R. Grace & Co., he brought Roz along as a training supervisor when Applebee’s was only 2 restaurants. This eventually catapulted her to director of human resources. When the company sold and moved to Kansas City, Roz remained in Dallas, leaving corporate for a career in recruiting consultancy.
In 1995 Roz returned to Applebee’s as vice president of human resources. Doolin had become CEO of TGI Friday’s and brought Roz in to be the senior vice president of HR. As Doolin moved to Le Madeleine, she followed suit but this time as the COO. Moving again to Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. as a director and then COO, she was named interim CEO during a time of financial stress for the company.
Eventually, Roz and her Caribou coworker, Amy O’Neil decided it was time to become franchisees themselves. Noticing declined traffic Airports and an opening to monopolize on minority certifications for African-American women, the pair jumped on the opportunity founding PhaseNext Hospitality in 2009. By “providing the best service, hospitality, and quality food at non-traditional locations such as airports and military bases,” the company has found great success. Roz is a board member of No Kid Hungry, a past leader of the National Restaurant Association, and much more.
Kat Cole- President and COO of Focus Brands, North America
Kat Cole started her career working as a hostess at Hooters in Jacksonville, Florida at 17. Once 18 she became a Hooters Girl and a waitress that was always there to lend a helping hand. Kat stepped into the kitchen to cook during an employee protest, shook things up behind the bar to fill in for a coworker, eventually managing a restaurant, and becoming so well versed in the business that Hooters requested she train employees throughout the region.
Kat was studying engineering at the University of North Florida until she received a call from Hooters Corporate. At only 19, she was asked to be part of the team opening the first Hooters location in Australia. Kat had planned to remain in school but the company continued to send her to open and build teams for new international locations. At that point, she chose to drop out of university to focus on her job. By 26, she had reached the level of Executive Vice President of Hooters.
Beginning to volunteer on various committees with other industry leaders, she was able to network and build a name for herself. She was recruited by Roark Capital in 2010 for Cinnabon, earned her MBA from Georgia State University, and became the President of Cinnabon in 2011. Now the COO and President of Focus Brands, North America, Kat is humanitarian and a mentor to young girls. In a Time article titled How to Run a Billion Dollar Brand Before You’re 35, Kat stated, “Funny things happen when you are just curious and helpful.”
These amazing women, as well as those not listed, are true heroes (and not because some of them make subs). They are a testament that advancement in the workplace is achievable if you are willing to work hard enough and are passionate about what you do. It is my hope that the future will be filled with more female success and leadership. Keep working together, striving for greatness, crushing gender stereotypes and running the show…
Happy International Women’s Day!
Thank you for reading. Appetite is the official blog of Appfront, the data-driven solution bringing your food to the table. A tasteful blend of Restaurant Marketing, Customer Loyalty, and Online Ordering.
