Villa Restaurant Group Announces Key Internal Promotions Across Multiple Divisions
Company Added
Company Removed
Apply to Request List

Villa Restaurant Group Announces Key Internal Promotions Across Multiple Divisions

Strategic Changes to Aid in Continued Growth and Expansion

May 14, 2018 // Franchising.com // MORRISTOWN, NJ - Villa Restaurant Group, global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor, is proud to announce that the company has made significant promotions within its corporate team. As the company continues to expand its presence, evolve in the industry and focus on brand building, Villa has promoted the following individuals to better support its rapid growth within the quick and full-service restaurant industries.

Field Operations - Franchise and Outside Sales

Stephanie Beamer has been promoted to Division Vice President of Franchise and Catering. Stephanie has been instrumental in the development of Villa Restaurant Group’s catering business and the growth of the company’s franchise presence by adding Tony + Benny’s, MO Burger and Piattino Oven Fired Pizza to its offerings. Since she joined the company in 2010, she also implemented Villa Restaurant Group’s online training program, iLEARN to the franchise community, working closely with the various franchise partners. In her new role, she will continue to lead franchise development, establish new processes and implement new technology to better serve Villa’s guests and further grow its catering offerings.

Brand Marketing

Andrea Carella has been promoted to Director of Brand Marketing and will oversee all brand development, new store openings and local store marketing to help grow business and raise brand awareness. Andrea, who has been with Villa Restaurant Group since 2014, boasts over 10 years of marketing experience with significant knowledge in new product launches, brand development and social media strategy.

40NORTH Restaurants

Michelle Papier has been promoted to Director of Marketing for Villa Restaurant Group’s full-service Division, 40NORTH Restaurants. With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Michelle will add strategic value in her management of all marketing efforts for 40NORTH’s eleven restaurants including creating and implementing all brand strategies, advertising and promotion for seven unique brands. Michelle will also be charged with all digital marketing efforts including email blasts, social media and website design.

Purchasing, Research and Development

Tom Law has been promoted to Director of Culinary and will oversee the culinary research and development team for the successful creation and execution of new menu items. Tom, who has been with Villa Restaurant Group for eight years, has been the driving force behind the development of many new menu items for concepts including Tony + Benny’s and Piattino Oven Fired Pizza.

Human Resources and Training

Mike Serchia has been promoted to Vice President of Talent and Culture Development. In his new role, Mike will oversee all strategic People 1st initiatives, including human resources, talent management, training/development, and benefits for the organization. Through Mike’s leadership over the last five years, Villa Restaurant Group has incorporated the use of technology into human resources, implemented an e-learning platform and has redefined its company culture and core values during a time of rapid growth.

Marge Lehman has been promoted to Senior Human Resources Manager. Throughout her four years with Villa Restaurant Group, Marge has been instrumental in building a guest focused human resources team as well as creating the Villa Restaurant Group Safety Program. She has made a significant impact not only in the HR department but throughout the company as a whole. In her new role, she will oversee the management, coordination and evaluation of general human resource functions within the organization including in the field and corporate office. Marge has received both our VRG Passion Award and last year voted VRG Corporate Office Employee of the Year.

Business Development

Jim Howard has been promoted to Vice President of Construction and Store Planning. In this role, Jim will be responsible for all new restaurant construction and remodels for our Core, Emerging, 40NORTH, and Franchise brands. Since joining Villa Restaurant Group in December 2007, Jim has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Construction and Store Planning Team and was recognized for his efforts as the recipient of the 2018 Villa Restaurant Group Excellence Award.

Christopher McNamee has been promoted to Senior Manager of Business Development. Chris, who has been with Villa Restaurant Group since 2010, has been an integral part of the Business Development team. In his new role, Chris will assist in leading the company’s ongoing growth strategy by obtaining favorable lease renewals and creating new business proposals. In 2015, Chris was the first recipient to receive the Villa Restaurant Group Excellence Award for his hard work and efforts surrounding the opening of the Food Hall at the Orlando International Airport.

Corporate Development

Ryan Juliano has been promoted to Senior Business Analyst. In this role, Ryan will lead the development and implementation of analytics related to financial gain/flow through labor, pricing and food costs, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency. Ryan, who joined Villa Restaurant Group in 2016, will continue to report to Vice President of Corporate Development, Michele Scotto.

Information Technology

Lahouari Mekki has been promoted to Director of Innovation & Technology. Lahouari will continue to lead the efforts of the IT department and play a large role in creating the IT strategy and departmental objectives in order to improve the process company-wide.

Michael Mohanlall has been promoted to IT Manager. Mike, who has been with Villa Restaurant Group since 2013 and was the 2015 Corporate Office Employee of the Year, will manage the company’s IT infrastructure, business continuity and disaster recovery while continuing to research workforce efficiency tools.

John Chopey has been promoted to Senior POS Project Manager. In this role, John will continue to report to Lahouari Mekki and will manage Villa Restaurant Group’s companywide POS system, EMV payment and various other interfaces. John will lead the growth and discovery of Villa’s POS Digital Experience projects, such as mobile ordering and delivery.

Antonio Cardellicchio has been promoted to POS Manager. Reporting directly to John Chopey, Antonio will assist with all POS initiatives including ongoing training, daily reporting and the implementation of new menu items and promotions

“We are thrilled to announce the exciting promotions taking place throughout Villa Restaurant Group’s corporate departments,” said Andrew Steinberg, Chief Operating Officer for Villa Restaurant Group. “So much of our continued progress and development is dependent on a strong and efficient corporate team and we are confident that with these key promotions, our company will continue to grow and succeed with both our quick-service and full-service restaurant concepts.”

About Villa Restaurant GroupSM (previously known as Villa Enterprises)

Villa Restaurant GroupSM is a multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor. Founded in 1964 by Michele (Michael) Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, Villa Restaurant Group began as a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Today, Villa Restaurant Group (VRG) is a restaurant operator and franchisor with a global portfolio of nearly 350 locations worldwide.

Villa Restaurant Group’s quick-service restaurant brands, including Villa Italian Kitchen®, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads®, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt®, South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries®, Far East Asian Fire® and other emerging brands can be found worldwide. Villa also operates full service restaurants in New Jersey under the 40North Restaurant Group® brand including The Black Horse Tavern & Pub®, The Office Tavern Grill®, The OFFICE Beer Bar & Grill®, Steelworks Buffet & Grill®, Piattino®: A Neighborhood Bistro, George & Martha’s® American Grille and Café Villa. For more information, please visit www.villarestaurantgroup.com.

SOURCE Villa Restaurant Group

###

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus
Share This Page

Subscribe to our Newsletters