QSR June 2023

YOUNG LEADERS

Simoné SMITH

Wiederhorn has played a vital role in FAT Brands’ cobranding efforts. Using insights from the Fatburger/Buffalo’s Express combo that began in 2013, he spearheaded Johnny Rockets’ first cobranding with a fast-casual version of Hurricane Grill & Wings. He also led FAT Brands to its first tri-brand oppor tunity with Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express, and Hot Dog on a Stick. “At FAT Brands, we are currently focused on improving the customer journey, namely the frictionless ordering experience, and accuracy and efficiency in operations,” Wie derhorn says.

While managing her own store in Denton, Texas, Smirl knew she had found “the one” and married herself to the brand and team. She immediately wanted to bring the good vibes of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop to new markets across the country. After discovering her passion for working directly with franchisees, Smirl stepped into her current role in 2019 and has inked deals that have helped grow the brand. Last year, Smirl was the driving force behind Fuzzy’s Taco Shop’s biggest franchise deal, a 50-store agreement with restaurateur Richard Maddox. This deal will expand the brand into new markets in Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee and existing markets in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. These stores will also include a drive-thru, a first for the chain.

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT AGE: 32

Simoné Smith’s colleagues have used the word “firecracker” to describe her personality. When she first applied to work at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit as a project manager seven years ago, one of the employees told her she was applying for one of the hardest roles at the company. She thought they were say ing she couldn’t handle it but Smith is no stranger to dealing with adversity. Her mother passed away when she was 12 years old. “I was like, ‘If I could handle that, I can handle anything you guys throw at me,’” Smith told them. Now the vice president of devel opment, Smith has led the opening of hundreds of locations, including 173 in Q1 2023 (inclusive of virtual concepts). During the pandemic, Dickey’s was still expanding. Smith helped her project managers prepare for production delays when ordering necessities to build out stores, such as cooking equipment, refrig eration, and lumber. She formed a strong relationship with suppliers to anticipate demand. But Dickey’s wasn’t only focus ing on the expanding brick-and-mortar locations. Smith’s team also aided in the growth of its three new virtual kitchen concepts in Dickey’s and other restau rants. Smith’s goal is to hit a 1,500-unit res taurant count by December—counting brick-and-mortar and virtual. “That’s how I’ve always been. I’m like, ‘OK, what’s the next goal? And everyone’s like, ‘Can we stop?’ And I’m like, ‘No, I don’t want to stop,” Smith adds. Known for her positive outlook on life, Smith says staying optimistic isn’t always easy. She believes hope is an important element in executing a plan but in her time as a mentee of Dickey’s CEO Roland Dickey, Jr. she has learned the importance of making detailed plans as well as commitments to set herself up for success. As a result, she thinks ahead instead of dwelling too much on the problem.

Andie SMIRL FRANCHISE SALES

MANAGER FUZZY’S TACO SHOP AGE: 33

Cody ALACRON CONTROLLER ORIGINAL CHOPSHOP AGE: 34 Cody Alacron—

Nobody “bleeds Baja” like Andie Smirl does for Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. She started as a cashier on the weekends at 17 and so deeply immersed herself in the brand’s culture that she worked her way up to the corporate office, where she now serves as franchise sales manager. “To say ‘I have grown up alongside the brand’ is a huge understatement,” Smirl says. “I was proud to work at ‘the coolest place in town’ at 17, and now I am still just as proud.”

the company’s third corporate hire—began at Original Chop Shop seven years ago when there were only three stores. As the controller, he’s supported 17 openings, includ

ing three new markets. That will continue in 2023 with four store debuts, good for 21 per cent unit growth. Alacron has been a critical influencer in creating sophisticated systems and infrastruc ture, allowing for accessible data and rapid growth. In 2022, Original ChopShop experi enced a record $41 million in annual sales and $2.5 million in AUV, an increase from $36 million and $2.4 million in 2021, respectively. He was a significant part of that growth by managing internal accounting, reporting, and forecasting and overseeing external corporate partners, like audit firms, credit card pro cessors, payroll systems, healthcare benefits, accounting systems, point of sale providers,

ORIGINAL CHOPSHOP

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP

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JUNE 2023 | QSR | www.qsrmagazine.com