Dive Brief:
- Norms Restaurants, a 24/7 full-service restaurant group, has appointed Eric Wyatt as president and CEO, the company said Thursday in an email to Restaurant Dive.
- Wyatt has over 30 years of experience in hospitality, operations and management and has worked at Starbucks, Yum Brands and Panera Bread.
- Under Wyatt’s leadership, Norms will open two new locations this spring bringing its unit count to 23. Next year, the chain plans to expand beyond Southern California.
Dive Insight:
Wyatt, who most recently served as SVP at CKE Restaurants, expects to roll out various initiatives related to Norm’s team engagement and training to improve guest experience and retention of long-time employees. He also plans to introduce additional menu innovation, promotions, LTOs at affordable prices and advanced technology. In the next few months, the company expects to provide details on new aesthetics in restaurants and uniforms for employees.
In addition to the previously mentioned brands, Wyatt has worked at Boston Market, Corner Bakery Cafe, L Brands and Mobile Oil Corporation, where he focused on team development, operational excellence, brand building and profitable growth into new markets, according to the press release.
Wyatt succeeds Michael Colonna, who served as president and CEO of the 73-year-old chain since 2014, when CapitalSpring bought the company after decades of family ownership. During his tenure, Colonna worked on renovating the restaurants. His team found an economical way to upgrade aging equipment and revitalized existing restaurants with new interiors and branding. After the restaurant updates, sales went up 4% to 6%, according to American Builders Quarterly. In 2020, the company rolled out Norms Junior, a store prototype focused on quick service and to-go ordering.
