Staffing

Salata's former president fills same role at Nation’s Giant Hamburgers

Nation's CEO Adam Smith, owner Grant Power and President Michelle Bythewood are rolling out franchising. Provided by Nation's.

August 3, 2023

Northern California-based Nation's Giant Hamburgers, a 70-year-old breakfast, burger and pie chain, has snagged former Salata Salad Kitchen President Michelle Bythewood as president and has launched franchising.

She joins CEO Adam Smith, who previously served as SVP of legal and external affairs at California Resources, an independent energy and carbon management company. The duo works closely with owner Grant Power, whose father, Dale Power, was the original partner to founder Russ Harvey,

"There's no memory I have that doesn't include Nation's in it," Grant Power said in a company press release. "We are incredibly proud of the tremendous success Nation's Giant Hamburgers has enjoyed over the past 70 years and are excited to assemble a team that will not only help the concept to grow but will translate our legacy to the next generation of guests."

After learning of Power's plans to grow the 29-unit chain, Smith accepted the CEO role and started working to put the processes in place to get the concept ready for franchising.

"The one piece of the puzzle that we needed to fill was finding a brand president, and for that, we wanted the best in the business," Smith said in the release. "That's when we reached out to Michelle."

Bythewood, who served as president of Salata from 2019 to 2023, spearheaded the evolution and implementation of the company's overall vision, core values and strategic direction, as well as operations, logistics and innovation. Under her leadership, Salata increased its locations by 30%, growing in several existing markets including Houston, Dallas and Atlanta, while also entering new markets including Charlotte.

"After meeting with Michelle we knew immediately she was the right person for the job based on her vision for the future of the brand and comprehensive experience with taking brands to the next level as they prepare to grow," Smith said.

"My passion is rebranding companies and putting systems and processes in place for growth and franchisee expansion," Bythewood said in the release. "The Nation's Giant Hamburgers brand is steeped in history and beloved by the communities it's in, so when presented the opportunity to grow the brand, I decided the time was right to make a move. My goal is to make the brand relevant to new communities while preserving the heart and soul of what makes the concept so special."

Founded in 1952 in San Pablo, California, as a hot dog stand with six stools, Nation's is accepting franchisees in California and will look toward expansion in other markets in 2024.

"Nation's has served as a staple in many people's lives for multiple generations, and we are now excited to open the opportunity up to the public to own a piece of the pie, so to speak, as we continue to expand within California and beyond," Power said in the release.