News

Energy Kitchen announces executive appointments

August 1, 2011

Manhattan-based Energy Kitchen has announced two new executive appointments.

The first is the appointment of Tapan Shah as director of Marketing and the second isfranchise veteran Michael J. Lerman as director of Operations.

Shah, who most recently served as an associate brand manager with Campbell Soup Company, will oversee all facets of consumer and franchise marketing at Energy Kitchen.

Shah, who has 10 years’ professional experience, brings a wealth of brand management and marketing knowledge to Energy Kitchen, including expertise in brand strategy, digital and social media, consumer promotions and product management. He began his career as an area brand manager with Glaceau, the maker of vitaminwater and smartwater, before assuming similar roles at Kraft Foods and California Tortilla. Most recently, he developed and executed various programs for Campbell’s Red & White Cooking Soup and Pepperidge Farm Milano.

Lerman, who most recently served as COO of TRUFOODS, the franchisor of Wall St. Deli, Ritter’s Frozen Custard, Arthur Treacher’s and Pudgie’s, will be responsible for enhancing Energy Kitchen’s operational efficiencies. He will oversee all corporate and franchise stores, as well as manage the company’s training and development needs.

Lerman has more than 25 years of experience in the franchise industry, including his 8-year tenure as the vice president at Hollywood Tans, responsible for managing the operations and training for all 320 of the brand’s salons. Lerman also spent significant time as a managing partner at Chili’s Restaurants and multi-unit operations consultant at McDonald’s Corporation.

The appointment comes on the heels of a monumental year for Energy Kitchen that saw the burgeoning brand sign nearly 80 development agreements along the east coast, including in Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C. Today, Energy Kitchen operates 10 restaurants throughout the greater New York metropolitan area.

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