Renowned for their 32 flavorful unique sauces and rubs, Hurricane Grill & Wings is proud to welcome three new additions to their executive team. The new hires will help bolster Hurricane Grill & Wings’ position as a leader in casual, family-friendly dining with both fresh and delicious food. Tom Giarrusso will take the position of Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Bartholomay will take over as Chief Development Officer and Michael Lubitz has been named Chief Financial Officer.
Coming to Hurricane Grill & Wings with experience at some of the world’s largest franchise brands including Pizza Hut, Yum Brands and Einsteins Bros., Giarrusso brings extensive hands on marketing and strategic brand building expertise. With experience, both in-house at the brands as well as in positions at marketing and advertising agencies, Giarrusso brings over 20 years of skill and will head all marketing efforts for the growing brand.
With an educational background in finance and accounting, Bartholomay comes to the position with 20 years of experience working with executive level decision making and fifteen years spent in the restaurant industry. Most recently, Bartholomay served as Interim CEO and Senior Vice President of Development of Kona Grill, Inc. and prior to that as Vice President of Business Development for Famous Dave’s of America where he established a successful franchising program resulting in 79 franchised units open in 29 states. Bartholomay also served as Vice President of International Development and Operations for Rainforest Café, opening 9 units across four countries.
CFO Lubitz, a CPA, comes to Hurricane Grill & Wings after being Chief Financial Officer of the ADF Companies, one of the largest restaurant franchise operations in the United States with over 300 locations. Lubitz also served as Vice President of Finance at New World Restaurant Group where he was responsible for integrating several acquisitions and overseeing accounting function for Einstein Bros. and Manhattan Bagel Brands.
“We are excited to welcome these new members to our Hurricane Grill & Wings team,” said Martin O’Dowd, President, Hurricane Grill & Wings. “With the 40% annual growth we have experienced in the past 3 years, this new team will help us continue to expand our evolving brand. With the newly assembled senior team on board, we look forward to the execution of our 5 year plan of opening 200 plus units in the United States.”
The original Hurricane Grill & Wings opened in Fort Pierce, Fla., in 1995. There are 41 locations, including Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with additional
restaurants planned nationwide. Hurricane Grill & Wings whose trademark is “Live with Flavor” is known for its uniquely savory chicken wings, offered in five categories with a choice of more than 32 signature sauces. Menu items are cooked fresh to order with high quality ingredients and zero trans fats. Other menu options range from salads to Certified Angus Burgers and Grilled Mahi-Mahi along with a full line-up of micro-brew beers and wine.
For more information about Hurricane Grill & Wings, visit www.HurricaneWings.com.