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GRILLiT appoints CEO

July 23, 2013

GRILLiT, a Miami-based fast casual chain specializing in healthy cuisine, has named Ghazi Hajj as its CEO and also elected him as its first chairman of its board of directors.

Hajj has more than 24 years of collective experience in leading well-known chain restaurants to high growth and profitability, according to the company.

"I thank the Board of GRILLiT for electing me to this position," Hajj said. "As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, I pledge that I will do my utmost to bring the GRILLiT concept to as large of a market as possible, while being prudent and maintaining our core values. This has been a dream of mine for many years - to put together a health-conscious fast casual restaurant chain, building one piece at a time, based on all that I have learned over the past couple of decades."

Hajj's expertise and insight comes from years of having owned and operated many restaurants in multiple markets. Since December 2010, he has been head of operations, design & distributions for Salad Creations Corporate.

Previously, he served as EVP of operations with Cerney Investment/Quiznos Corp from 2009 to 2010. From 2001 to 2008, he was regional operations director and vice president of franchise support for Quiznos Corporation, and spent almost two years prior to Quiznos as a VP and consultant for Chicken Kitchen USA. From 1984 to 1998, Hajj owned and operated 36 Little Caesars stores in southeastern Ohio and South Florida, and served as its VP of Midwest and Southeast Regions From 1989 To 1994, and VP of national operations from 1994 to 1996.

GRILLiT's former CEO, Raymond Dias, will remain a director and transition into his new role as Chief Operating Officer, where he will oversee investor relations and all corporate operations.

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