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Former Inspire Brands and Chick-fil-A executive brings more than 30 years of experience to corporate-led Hawaiian plate lunch brand
Salt Lake City, UT (RestaurantNews.com) Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food has named Don Crocker its chief development officer as the brand expands its corporate-owned footprint nationwide. Crocker, a former Inspire Brands and Chick-fil-A executive, brings more than three decades of experience to the role and will oversee real estate, design and construction, asset management and new restaurant openings across new and existing markets.
Crocker most recently served as chief development officer for Atlanta-based slider chain Smalls Sliders. Before that, he led domestic franchise and company-owned development at Inspire Brands across a portfolio that included Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Sonic Drive-In and Baskin-Robbins. He also spent more than two decades at Chick-fil-A in senior real estate, restaurant development and supply chain roles, helping expand the brand into more than 65 new markets as annual sales grew from about $600 million to $10 billion.
“Don has spent his career helping restaurant brands grow at scale, and that experience makes him a tremendous addition to Mo’ Bettahs,” said Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo’ Bettahs. “We’ve built strong momentum while remaining disciplined about where and how we grow. Don understands that balance, and his leadership will help us continue expanding thoughtfully while maintaining the consistency and experience our guests expect.”
Earlier this year, Mo’ Bettahs announced plans to enter Phoenix, Indianapolis and Minneapolis through corporate-led, multi-unit development, building on 18 consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth. It has since entered all three markets and now operates more than 80 corporate-owned restaurants across nine states.
“Mo’ Bettahs has a strong foundation and a clear sense of what makes the brand special,” Crocker said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to identify the right markets and locations to bring Mo’ Bettahs to more communities across the country.”
Founded in Bountiful, Utah, in 2008 by brothers Kimo and Kalani Mack, Mo’ Bettahs was built around the recipes, traditions and hospitality they grew up with on O’ahu. The brand serves Hawaiian-style plate lunches featuring island-favorite entrees such as teriyaki chicken and steak, k?lua pig, p?lehu chicken and katsu chicken, paired with steamed rice, vegetables and creamy macaroni salad.
To learn more, visit MoBettahs.com.
About Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food
Mo’ Bettahs was founded in Bountiful, Utah, in 2008 by Kimo and Kalani Mack with a goal of providing guests with an authentic Hawaiian island barbecue experience, just like they enjoyed while growing up in O’ahu, Hawai’i. Mo’ Bettahs serves the plate lunch with an authentic Hawaiian experience, with items like freshly Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Steak, K?lua Pig, Deep-Fried Katsu Chicken, homemade macaroni salad and steamed rice. Since partnering with Savory Restaurant Fund, Blue Marlin Partners and Trive Capital, Mo’ Bettahs has grown to over 80 locations in Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Minnesota, Indiana and Arizona. Mo’ Bettahs has plans to spread the aloha spirit to more communities through continued expansion in the coming months and years. Mo’ Bettahs offers dine-in, takeout and catering. For more information, visit Mo’ Bettahs’ website or follow on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok.
Contact:
Betsy DeMik
Champion
bdemik@championmgt.com