Staffing

WaBa Grill announces several internal promotions

WaBa Grill has promoted Andrew Kim to president and CEO. Provided

March 4, 2021

WaBa Grill, which specializes in healthy rice bowls, has promoted several executives, including Andrew Kim, who is now president and CEO, according to a company press release.

Kim, who has over 30 years of franchise law experience, has been involved with WaBa Grill since its founding in 2006 as its outside legal adviser, representing and counseling the brand on corporate legal and franchise matters. He joined WaBa Grill corporate as its chief legal officer in 2018, overseeing business and legal affairs with an emphasis on restructuring and reorganizing the company.

"It has been a privilege to represent WaBa Grill throughout the brand's history and play a role in its evolution over the years, and I am honored that the company founders have entrusted me with these new responsibilities as president and CEO," Kim said in the release. "This trust reflects the ownership's confidence in our entire team of outstanding and committed professionals to strategically grow the company in units and sales while building even stronger emotional connections with our guests and franchisees."

Additional promotions include former vice president of Marketing and Technology Mark Finnegan to CMO; former vice president of Marketing and Technology Renny Freet to chief organizational and Human Resources officer and Afshin Compani, who had been serving as VP of Franchise Operations, to chief restaurant and development officer.

"After experiencing year after year of success in Southern California and parts of Arizona, there is tremendous growth potential for the brand in both existing markets and new territories across the U.S. in need of a healthy fast casual concept like ours," Kim said.

The nearly 200-unit brand is based in California.