San Francisco — Starbird, a trailblazer in super-premium fast food, has appointed Maria Rivera as chief executive officer and to its board of directors. Rivera, an accomplished industry leader known for scaling some of the sector’s most dynamic brands, assumes leadership of the company. Founder Aaron Noveshen will transition fully to his role as chairman of the board.
This move marks a defining moment for Starbird, signaling its bold next chapter as it accelerates national expansion, franchise growth and strong brand awareness — fueled by the vision of its founder, the investment of longtime partner Dollarhyde Investment Group and the strategic backing of KarpReilly, a leading consumer-focused investment firm.
“Maria is a transformative leader with a remarkable track record of building brands with heart, assembling exceptional teams, and driving disciplined growth,” says Aaron Noveshen, founder and chairman of Starbird. “I’m thrilled to welcome her to the helm and energized by the opportunity to partner with her as we lead Starbird into its next chapter — unlocking new levels of growth, reach and impact together with our team.”
Rivera brings more than two decades of executive experience with globally recognized brands, including Krispy Kreme, Logan’s Roadhouse, Darden Restaurants, Caesar’s Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company. Most recently, she served as CEO of Smalls Sliders, spearheading its franchise-driven growth and brand evolution.
Following a record-setting year — highlighted by double-digit same-store sales growth, a $4.3 million median unit sales volume and more than 30 franchised locations in development — Starbird is leaning into its growth strategy by investing in leadership, systems and franchise expansion.
Founded in 2016 by restaurant innovators at The Culinary Edge (TCE), Starbird was built upon pillars of culinary innovation, a frictionless service model and positive operational excellence. The forward-thinking concept is a leading innovator in the super-premium fast food chicken marketplace. For more information, visit www.starbirdchicken.com and www.starbirdfranchising.com.
SOURCE: Starbird Chicken