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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Maria Rivera named CEO of Starbird
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. Starbird, a fast casual chicken concept founded in 2016, has named Maria Rivera as chief executive officer, as well as to its board of directors. Founder Aaron Noveshen will transition fully to his role as chairman of the board while remaining an active partner in supporting Starbird's strategic direction. Rivera brings more than two decades of executive experience with globally recognized brands, including Krispy Kreme, Logan's Roadhouse, Darden Restaurants, Caesar's Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company. Most recently, she served as CEO of Smalls Sliders, spearheading its franchise-driven growth and brand evolution. On her watch, Smalls' sales grew by nearly 90% year-over-year in 2024, while its footprint grew by 118%, according to Technomic. There are now nearly 30 units open, per the company's website, and about 300 locations under agreement or in development. The company also developed its own Pantone color, called "Smorange," which has become synonymous with the brand. 'Maria is a transformative leader with a remarkable track record of building brands with heart, assembling exceptional teams, and driving disciplined growth,' Noveshen said in a statement. 'I'm thrilled to welcome her to the helm and energized by the opportunity to partner with her as we lead Starbird into its next chapter — unlocking new levels of growth, reach, and impact together with our team.' Rivera's hire comes as Starbird accelerates national expansion and franchise growth driven by Noveshen's vision, as well as the investment of longtime partner Dollarhyde Investment Group, and backing from investment firm KarpReilly. The company recently signed new franchise development agreements to expand beyond its home state of California for the first time, including in Salt Lake City and Chicago. 'Starbird represents everything I believe the future of fast food can be — a brand rooted in culinary innovation, operational excellence, and a customer experience powered by technology, hospitality, and heart,' Rivera said in a statement. 'I'm stepping into Starbird with deep respect for the brand Aaron and this team have built — and a clear vision for where we're headed. I'm honored to lead Starbird into its next era — scaling with intention, partnering with best-in-class operators, and delivering craveable food with a conscience to communities nationwide.' Starbird finished 2024 with $47 million in sales, marking a 36.5% year-over-year increase, and over $4 million in average unit volumes, according to Technomic Ignite data, which outpaces most of its fast casual chicken peers. The concept was the winner of Nation's Restaurant News' Chicken Showdown in 2023. Contact Alicia Kelso at
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A ‘super-premium' chicken concept is expanding into Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY () — A new rapidly growing chicken-based chain of restaurants is expanding into Salt Lake City. Starbird, a 'super-premium' fast food concept, announced on Monday it would be opening five locations in the Salt Lake City area, with the first openings expected in late 2025 and early 2026. The California-based restaurant said Salt Lake City was chosen for its thriving food scene and demand for modern dining options. It is currently unclear where exactly in the Salt Lake Valley the Starbird locations would be. The fast-food chain is known for its , including salads, bowls, wings, and breakfast options. Starbird also boasts its nine house-made dipping sauces and its unique proprietary recipe of gluten-free flours and spices for its chicken. Dutch Bros has a new menu item that's only available in Utah (and one other state) In addition to the five locations in Salt Lake City, Starbird also announced five restaurants in Chicago, Illinois. 'As we continue expanding into new markets, we're looking forward to collaborating with operators who share our passion for unmatched food and operational excellence,' said Starbird Founder and CEO Aaron Noveshen. 'Their experience and dedication will be instrumental in successfully bringing Starbird to these regions.' Noveshen did not say who would be operating the Salt Lake City-based franchises, only saying they bring decades of experience of operating successful restaurant brands. Along with the new Salt Lake City and Chicago locations, Starbird recently announced new locations in Denver, Colorado. The chain said it also has franchise opportunities in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Florida. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
