Staffing

Untamed Brands hires Fair Chance Employment ambassador, chief commercial officer

June 7, 2023

Untamed Brands, which owns Hot Chicken Takeover, in Ohio, and Taim Mediterranean Kitchen across the East Coast, has created two positions — a Fair Chance Employment ambassador and chief commercial officer, according to a company press release.

Fair Chance Employment Ambassador Kendra Hovey will help to expand access to jobs and resources for those who need a fair chance at work, a priority for the company since 2014 when Hot Chicken Takeover launched as a Fair Chance employer. Qualifying companies provide financial stability, cash advancement, counseling, professional development and a flexible career path for individuals who have been unhoused or incarcerated. Several Fair Chance hires have grown within the company to become general managers, Hovey said in the release.

"Building relationships that foster a sense of community is already natural to our model and these relationships are especially important for Fair Chance," she said. "I'm eager to expand the program's reach to provide people in Columbus, Cleveland and beyond earlier with pathways into meaningful careers in food service. "Reaching young people at the high school level with access to steady pay and resources is an area of opportunity. We also are seeing a significant increase in women within correctional facilities today and Hot Chicken Takeover has been able to elevate multiple women through the company into key managerial positions."

Ami Desai Mathur, former chief commercial officer for Jenni's Splendid Ice Cream, will report to Untamed Brands' Founder and CEO Phil Petrilli, to oversee all things revenue, including brand, marketing and innovation for Taim Mediterranean and Hot Chicken.

"I'm energized by the challenge to give strong restaurant concepts a chance to scale when they otherwise may not have been able to see larger success and reach new areas," Mathur said in the release. "The team at Untamed Brands is one of the most motivated and genuine I have met."

Petrilli said Mathukr's expertise in commercial expansion, marketing, branding and consumer insights will allow the company to expand into new regions and reach more Gen Z and millennial customers.

"Her vision for brand-building and customer engagement have turned ideas into household names and we believe Taim Mediterranean kitchen, Hot Chicken Takeover and our future concepts hold that same potential," he said in the release.