Staffing

Garbanzo's former CEO joins Savory Funds

James Park, former CEO of Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, is now operating partner at Savory Fund Practice. (Provided)

June 15, 2021

James Park, the former CEO of Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, is now operating partner at Savory Fund Practice, a firm that funds up-and-coming restaurant brands. The appointment follows the recent closing of Savory Fund II, a $100 million investment vehicle devoted to backing emerging and profitable restaurant concepts.

Park, who stepped down last year from Garbanzo when it was sold, led the fast casual chain to four years of consecutive same-store sales growth, grew it to 26 locations across 13 states and added topline revenue to each unit, according to a company press release. FastCasual recognized Garbanzo as No. 4 on its Top 100 Movers & Shakers list in 2019, and Park made the publication's Top 25 executive list from 2017 through 2019.

Prior to Garbanzo, Park held executive operating roles at Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, Charley's Grilled Subs and Penn Station East Coast Subs, as well as a global marketing role at 7-Eleven.

"The Savory team and I are strongly aligned in the execution of our strategy — everything from financing, design, operations, customer experience and most importantly, how to treat employees," Park said in the release. "Savory was able to navigate through the pandemic without laying off or furloughing a single team member, which speaks volumes to their priorities. I am a big believer in the Savory playbook for growth and operational excellence, and I look forward to hitting the ground running."