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Freebirds president steps down

August 11, 2016

Bobby Shaw, who served as COO for Freebirds for the past three years and was named president earlier this year, announced today via LinkedIn his last day with the brand was Aug. 5, following a 30-day transition.

"We kept it super quiet on purpose as there was much to figure out, and much to do to make sure that we had a smooth transition," he wrote in his post. "Only a handful of people knew I was leaving which is the way we wanted it. I am thrilled to have finished well, and am proud of the company I am leaving behind."

Shaw said he is taking a couple of months before he accepts a new opportunity that he will make public in three or four weeks.

"I am so proud of my Tribe and the outstanding team we've built over the last 3 years," he said.  "We took an organization and rebuilt the culture and created a brand that felt like a start-up, even though it is 29 years old. It is full of energy, passion, and the belief that anything is possible. I could not be more proud of my team and the future they have with the Freebirds brand."

The chain is on track to open two new units in Nashvilleand its food truck is already cruising the streets.

"I still look forward to being at the Green Hills opening to celebrate the market entry into Nashville," Shaw said.

Freebirds declined to comment on who would be taking Shaw's place, but the chain's vice president of Marketing, Erin Levzow, confirmed his resignation, saying that he has helped advance several key initiatives for the brand, including the expansion into Nashville.

"We are grateful for his leadership," she wrote in an email to FastCasual.