Staffing

Clay Dover named CEO of Savory Fund

Savory Fund announces a leadership evolution, promoting co-Founder Shauna Smith to managing director and welcoming Clay Dover as CEO to help guide the firm’s next phase of growth across its portfolio of emerging restaurant brands. (Photo: Savory Fund)

January 7, 2026

Savory Fund, a private equity firm specializing in emerging restaurant concepts, announced a major leadership restructuring Wednesday, promoting Co-Founder Shauna Smith to managing director and naming industry veteran Clay Dover as chief executive officer.

The moves are intended to accelerate growth across the firm's portfolio, which includes high-growth brands such as Swig, Mo' Bettahs, and Houston TX Hot Chicken, according to press release.

Shauna Smith, who previously served as CEO, will now focus on long-term investment strategy and value creation for the firm's 13 portfolio companies. Her transition to managing director places her in a select tier of private equity leadership; data from Columbia Business School indicates only 4% of private equity firms have female managing partners or CEOs.

Under Smith's tenure, Savory's portfolio has grown to generate $515 million in annual revenue and supports more than 9,200 jobs.

"Shauna's promotion to managing director allows her to spend more time driving value creation, supporting our founders and shaping long-term investment strategy," Andrew K. Smith, co-founder and managing director of Savory Fund, said in the release.

Dover joins Savory with more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant sector, most recently serving as CEO of Velvet Taco. During his nearly nine-year tenure at the taco concept, he oversaw a 1,000% increase in sales and grew the footprint from four units to 54. He previously held executive roles at Pei Wei and served as president and chief marketing officer at Raising Cane's.

Dover said Savory's mission of scaling founder-led brands while maintaining their original identity was a primary draw for him.

"Savory's mission truly resonates with me," Dover said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to work alongside Andrew and Shauna to build on this incredibly strong foundation."

Savory Fund manages more than $750 million in assets. Its diverse investment portfolio also includes Pincho, Via 313, Hash Kitchen, and South Block.