News

Elevation Burger names Rick Altizer as new CEO

March 20, 2014

Former McDonald's executive Rick Altizer has been appointed CEO of Arlington, Va.-based Elevation Burger. Altizer assumes the role from founder Hans Hess, who will move to Board Chairman and advise Altizer and the leadership team on brand, growth and sustainability strategies, according to a company press release. The transition is effective March 24, according to a company press release.

Altizer began his career in food franchising nearly 25 years ago when he joined McDonald's Corporation as a regional controller. He went on to run a billion-dollar McDonald's region with 500 stores as a regional vice president and general manager. He then took on key leadership positions at two international franchise organizations: Midas International and Jiffy Lube. After serving as Jiffy Lube's president for three years, Altizer was recruited by Jiffy Lube's parent company, Shell Oil, to be general manager of marketing for North America within the retail fuels operation.

"Of all the candidates we encountered, Rick was chosen for his extensive food and beverage experience, as well as his deep finance, franchising and marketing background," said Hess. "I'm excited to be putting the brand in Rick's hands and confident that Elevation Burger will achieve its mission and the next level of growth with him at the helm."

Working with Elevation Burger's leadership team, Altizer will lead the execution of the brand's long-term strategy while overseeing day-to-day operations for the chain.

The fast casual burger franchise currently has a total of 32 U.S. restaurants located along the East Coast and as far west as Austin, Texas. The company has an additional 10 international locations in Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and projects a total of 60 locations worldwide by the end of 2014, according to the release.

"Elevation Burger is a great brand and a great business opportunity," said Altizer. "I'm eager to help take this growing company to a new level of success for our franchisees, employees, investors and most importantly our thousands of loyal guests across the nation."