Staffing

Newk's Eatery names 20-year company veteran Matt Wilson as COO

newk's

July 27, 2026

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Newk's Eatery has promoted Matt Wilson, a 20-year veteran of the fast-casual chain, to chief operating officer, the company announced Monday.

Wilson started at Newk's as an assistant manager at the brand's original restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi, right out of college. Over the following two decades, he moved up through operations, training, restaurant development and franchise support roles, most recently serving as senior vice president of operations.

Wilson will oversee franchise and company operations, training, operational support and systemwide execution as Newk's pursues its next phase of growth under parent company FSC Franchise Co.

Chris Elliott, CEO of Newk's Eatery and FSC Franchise Co., said Wilson's rise through the company illustrates what can happen when employees are given room to advance. He said Wilson's firsthand knowledge of the business, paired with his leadership record, makes him well-suited to help steer the brand forward.

During his tenure, Wilson has helped open dozens of restaurants systemwide, worked with franchisees across the country and contributed to the buildout of Newk's training programs, which now total more than 350 hours of instruction for operators. He also played a role in launching the chain's third-party delivery partnerships and in refining its restaurant-opening and operational-support processes.

Wilson said the company's growth strategy over the next five years will center on expanding both corporate and franchise locations while strengthening relationships with franchise partners. He pointed to Newk's emphasis on scratch-made food and customer service as the foundation he intends to build on, along with a continued focus on operational consistency.

Looking ahead, Wilson said his priorities include improving restaurant-level performance, streamlining processes and giving franchisees more support as they grow their businesses.

Newk's, founded in 2004 and based in Jackson, Mississippi, operates 97 restaurants across 13 states, with an average unit volume of about $2.2 million and more than 850,000 loyalty program members.