Dallas — RAVE Restaurant Group’s board of directors has named former Smashburger CEO Scott Crane as its new chief executive officer, effective January 9, 2017. Crane succeeds Interim CEO Clinton J. Coleman, who will remain in his role as a member of the board, where he has served since 2007.
“Scott is dynamic leader with a proven track record of growth with success,” says Mark Schwarz, chairman of RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc. “An entrepreneur at an early age, Scott’s restaurant industry focus has led to a succession of managerial roles of progressively greater responsibility and achievement throughout his career, including most recently growing the Smashburger concept from scratch. Scott is an exceptional leader who will contribute greatly to the culture, growth and success at Rave.”
Crane most recently served as president and CEO of Smashburger, where he led its development from a two-unit start up concept in 2007 to a global company with more than 330 corporate and franchise locations operating in 35 states and seven countries with annual sales in excess of $350 million at the time of his departure in 2016. Previously, Crane was at Fugate Enterprises, Inc., one of the largest Pizza Hut franchisees in the country, where he was responsible for the operation of 210 Pizza Hut units, in addition to Taco Bell, Wing Street, SONIC and Blockbuster Video locations.
“Under Scott’s leadership, Smashburger has been broadly credited as being the leading fast-casual brand in the ‘better burger’ segment,” says Coleman. “To support the company’s continued growth under Scott’s leadership, RAVE recently announced a $3 million capital raise by way of a registered rights offering, which is projected to be completed in February 2017.”
“I look forward to working with the Rave team as we unlock the enormous potential of the Pie Five concept and continue to introduce consumers to the new and growing category of fast-casual pizza,” says Crane. “I also have tremendous respect for and am excited to lead Pizza Inn, a brand rich with tradition that has served more than three generations of American families.”
Founded in 1958, Dallas-based RAVE Restaurant Group owns, operates and franchises more than 300 Pie Five Pizza Co. and Pizza Inn restaurants domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.raverg.com.
SOURCE: RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc.