Franchising

Cornbread adds operations exec to fuel growth

Provided

January 18, 2023

Cornbread Farm to Soul, a three-unit fast casual focusing on savory soul food founded by Adena Bayoh and Elzadie "Zadie" Smith in New Jersey, has hired Mike Hazen as director of operations to help with growth and operations. In addition, the brand opened a location in 2022, with plans for continued expansion in 2023.

"I am incredibly proud of how much Cornbread has grown this year," Bayoh said in a company press release. "So many more people have supported us and we are always excited to organize events to give back to our local communities. We will continue our efforts in the upcoming year."

Those efforts included organizing initiatives such as turkey giveaways, where dozens of turkeys were given to local families. The brand also dropped off 150 meals to the YMCA in Newark to families for Thanksgiving and donated food for up to 150 people at the Owens Center in Brooklyn. Returning to support the YMCA in Newark for Christmas, Cornbread provided them with 80 meals for local families.

The brand is looking to continue growing both their team and their customer service systems, aiming to open up to two corporate locations as well as signing on franchisees in 2023. In addition, an app and online ordering will launch in the upcoming months.

Bayoh, a first-generation immigrant, managed to escape the civil war in her native country of Liberia at age 13, and has worked hard to become the owner of eight restaurants, including several IHOP units.

"Cornbread is dedicated to building great teams and furthering communities," she said in the release. "We are a brand that prides itself on working to provide amazing opportunities for our guests and communities through giveback initiatives and franchising opportunities. The new year will be the start of even more opportunities and growth for Cornbread."