Staffing

Salata promotes VP to president

Provided

June 16, 2023

Salata Salad Kitchen has promoted its former vice president of operations, Michele Maerz, to president, replacing Michelle Bythewood, who stepped into the role in 2019 and was an integral part of selecting Maerz to follow her.

"While it is a very hard decision to leave Salata, I am confident that Michele, with her operational background, will continue to grow the brand in the right direction," Bythewood said in a company press release. "My passion is rebranding companies and putting systems and processes in place for growth and franchisee expansion. When presented the opportunity to do just that with another brand out of California, I decided the time was right to make a move."

During her time as vice president of operations at Salata, Maerz and her team improved operational procedures; solidified a partnership that opened revenue streams on major corporate campuses and facilities in Houston and Dallas; rolled out several menu items including a Certified Angus Beef steak protein to the salad menu and launched the Salata Mobile Kitchen to assist operations during restaurant remodels and create an opportunity for greater community involvement, according to the release.

"Michele and I have had a great tandem working relationship since she joined the team and I feel confident that moving forward Salata is in the hands of someone who truly cares about the brand and can take it to the next level as they continue to grow," Bythewood said.

In her role as president, Maerz will be responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of the Salata brand and ensuring operational excellence across Salata's more than 90 corporate and franchised restaurants along with franchise expansion across the country.

"I'm excited to step into this new role and take over where Michelle left off. I can't express my thanks enough to Michelle for her confidence, leadership, mentorship, and friendship built during our time together," she said in the release. "My focus as president will be to carry the brand forward with quality as our compass, build upon operational efficiencies, and double our restaurant count over the next five years."