New Faces Drive Financial Discipline and Customer Growth (Image Credits: Flickr)
Atlanta — GoTo Foods announced new executive hires and internal promotions to support its expansion across a portfolio of popular foodservice brands.
New Faces Drive Financial Discipline and Customer Growth
GoTo Foods, the parent company behind seven well-known brands, appointed Brett Ubl as its chief financial officer and Francisco Bram as chief growth officer. These moves follow the recent appointment of Omer Gajial as CEO and aim to enhance operational efficiency and market demand. The company operates more than 7,300 locations in all 50 U.S. states and 71 countries.[1][2]
Gajial described the changes as a pivotal step. “These executive leadership appointments mark a pivotal step forward as GoTo Foods enters the next chapter of growth and transformation for its seven iconic foodservice brands,” he stated. “With clear strategic priorities in place, GoTo Foods is positioned to drive greater demand, deliver operational ease, and provide sustained value for both franchisees and customers throughout 2026 and beyond.”[3]
Brett Ubl’s Proven Track Record in Restaurant Finance
Brett Ubl arrived at GoTo Foods from Roark Capital, where he managed financial and operational efforts for major franchises such as Subway, Dunkin’, and Baskin-Robbins. He also held a position on Subway’s board of directors. Earlier in his career, Ubl worked as an investment banking analyst at Baird Capital.
In his new role, Ubl oversees finance, accounting, and corporate strategy. His priorities include improving analytics, operating discipline, and unit-level economics to foster profitable expansion.[4]
Francisco Bram Targets Loyalty and Digital Innovation
Francisco Bram joins with extensive experience in marketing and business development from roles at Chewy, Albertsons, Uber Eats, and Siemens. Most recently, he served as head of global marketing at Chewy, the pet supply retailer.
As chief growth officer, Bram leads efforts in demand generation, customer insights, loyalty programs, personalization, and social media strategies. His work focuses on increasing repeat visits and customer lifetime value through scalable initiatives.[3]
Internal Leaders Take on Expanded Responsibilities
GoTo Foods also promoted three longtime executives to broader roles within the leadership team. These adjustments reinforce support for franchisees and brand operations.
- Mike Freeman, executive vice president and president of brands, continues to oversee Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s, while adding responsibility for culinary and strategic operations.
- Urvi Patel, senior vice president of brands and chief brand officer for Cinnabon, now manages Carvel as well, along with the company’s co-brand business and growth strategy.
- Chris McNutt, chief supply chain officer, maintains leadership of supply chain functions and takes on enhanced duties in store execution and franchisee support.
The company’s brands include:
- Auntie Anne’s
- Carvel
- Cinnabon
- Jamba
- McAlister’s Deli
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Schlotzsky’s
Key Takeaways
- New CFO Brett Ubl emphasizes financial rigor drawn from major franchise deals.
- CGO Francisco Bram prioritizes digital tools to boost customer retention.
- Internal promotions ensure continuity while expanding operational focus.
These leadership enhancements position GoTo Foods – formerly Focus Brands – for sustained momentum in the competitive foodservice sector. What impact do you see from these changes on brands like Cinnabon or Jamba? Share your thoughts in the comments.
