The Schnitz Group has made three strategic executive appointments to support its ambitious five-year plan to more than double the footprint to over 200 restaurants across multiple brands, channels and formats.
Romit Patel has been promoted to GM of Schnitz Australia. Formerly GM of operations and supply chain, Patel takes responsibility for performance and growth across the core business. He brings a strong track record in the QSR space with experience at Mad Mex and Yum Brands.
Ali Kurtdereli will lead the group’s network development, with a focus on rapid sustainable expansion, overseeing leasing, franchising, design, formats and store builds. Kurtdereli was promoted from his previous head of franchising role; his career includes positions at RFG, Retail Zoo, and Emirates Leisure Retail Australia.
Ari Nalbandian, previously head of finance, and ranked in the top five in this year’s Top 30 Franchise Executives report, takes on leadership of the group’s strategic growth and infrastructure division.
One executive exit earlier in the year was Kate Hopley, who left her role as GM of operations excellence and capability.
New appointments in restructure
The Schnitz Group CEO Kerri Wane told Franchise Executives, the appointments have bolstered internal capability in line with the group’s targets.
“Given the ambition in our five-year plan, we moved to sure up the right structure to deliver our plans: dedicated business units supported by shared services functions to ensure the best possible leadership and focus on each business unit while deploying our shared services capability effectively across the group.
“We have had a stellar last 18 months, focused primarily on innovating and driving sales and profitability of our existing restaurant network,” Wane said.
The focus is now on cementing market position and maximising future growth streams, she said.
“It is an exciting time at Schnitz Group, with Schnitz scaling rapidly and sustainably into new formats, markets and channels, whilst we also look to bolt on distinctive new brands born from our incubator hubs starting this financial year, delivering on our ambition to be a multi-branded, world class, global organisation.”
Schnitz will unveil its second bricks and mortar brand in Melbourne in the second half of this financial year. The aim is to prove the concept with two stores this year, with a bigger goal of about 30 stores over the next few years.
A chicken tender virtual brand will launch next month, adding to the virtual dessert brand introduced in collaboration with The Cookie Dough Co.
“Both of these operate from Schnitz stores nationally and strengthen our offering, underpinned by our exclusive partnership with Uber Eats,” Wane said.
