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Top 100: People – Carl Howard, Fazoli's

Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli's, is number 1 on our list of the 2014 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers: People.

November 14, 2014

Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli's, is number 1 on our list of the 2014 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers: People.

Carl Howard just might be the hardest-working guy in the fast casual industry, so it's no surprise he tops this year's list of people. The CEO is growing Fazoli's while simultaneously launching a new fast casual Italian concept called Venti Tre. He's opening nine new Fazoli's franchises along with two company-owned locations, plus three Venti Tre units by the end of 2014, which Howard describes as his biggest growth year since 2003.

"There's no question that Fazoli's is on fire right now," Howard said. "Our franchisees are outperforming (the standard) by 4 to 5 percent."

With all of his success, it's a no-brainer that everyone in the industry wants to know how he does it.

"Honestly, I never stop working and I have a team that is wired the same," he said. "We love what we are doing, jazzed about everything that is going on and thrilled that we are winning again. It makes the hard work worthwhile."

In addition to his work in the office, Howard is finding ways to give back. In 2013, he gave time to Feed The Children and delivered food boxes to families in Indianapolis right before Thanksgiving.

"I still reflect on this day, as it reminds me not only how lucky I am but how so many people need help," he said.