News

Four Foods Group co-founder takes on president title

September 19, 2018

Four Foods Group, a restaurant investment, development, operations and management company with 5,500 employees running 154 restaurants, has named Shauna K. Smith as the company's president, according to a company press release. In addition to co-founding FFG, Smith served as the company's chief merchandising officer for 10 years.

"Over the past few years, Shauna's influence and responsibilities have continued to increase at FFG. She is a leading force in driving company culture, which has been increasingly important as we've acquired a number of new restaurant brands," said Andrew K. Smith, CEO of Four Foods, in the release. "Shauna's tremendous talent will touch every aspect of the business as we grow. I am fortunate to have her as a strong and inspiring partner in both my personal and professional life."

Since co-founding FFG in 2008, Shauna Smith has been directly involved with day-to-day operations of the company's first Kneaders Bakery and Cafe restaurant. After operating in every capacity of the restaurant on a day-to-day basis for the first year, she began directing all of FFG's buying and merchandising of the retail operations inside the company's 50 Kneaders restaurants. As FFG broadened its scope through the acquisition of 71 Little Caesar's restaurants in the Southeast, plus acquisitions of R&R Barbeque, Swig, Mo'Bettahs and the Soda Shop brands, she's played a pivotal role in welcoming new employees into the popular Four Foods Group culture, Andrew Smith said.

"I am excited to bring my dedication and passion for this amazing organization into this new role and to maintain the incredible positive momentum we have rolling at Four Foods Group," said Shauna Smith, in the release. "With the conversation surrounding Indra Nooyi's announcement of her retirement from Pepsi and a recent study that reveals that women in business leadership in our own state is dropping, I am proud that FFG is a company that champions women at all levels. More than 58 percent of our workforce and 47 percent of our company leadership are women. By adding my voice and position to this effort, I would hope to see these numbers grow."