Keith Moody, food industry operations veteran, plans to drive Newk’s rapid expansion
Newk’s Eatery announced today the hire of Keith Moody as Territory Director of Franchise Operations for the fresh casual restaurant concept. Moody has been in franchise restaurant operations for more than twenty years and will apply his extensive skills and knowledge to assist in Newk’s rapid expansion.
Keith Moody joins Newk’s Eatery as Territory Director of Franchise Operations.
“The driving force behind me coming to work at Newk’s was the food, which is outrageously good,” said Moody. “I know that when people try it, they will return again and again.”
As Territory Director of Franchise Operations, Moody is forming a group of internal business consultants who will interact with the company’s various franchise groups to ensure brand and franchisee success. In just two months, Moody has already collaborated with nearly every Newk’s franchisee on successful growth plans.
“Newk’s franchisees are a very enthusiastic group of people who understand that they are part of a company geared for growth and wild success,” said Moody. “There’s a level of excitement in Newk’s support center base and in the field about expanding the Newk’s brand that is unmatched at any other restaurant of which I’ve been a part.”
His position at Newk’s requires extensive traveling, but that is something with which Moody, who refers to himself as a “road warrior,” has become familiar throughout the past 20 years. Originally from St. Louis, with some time spent in California, Moody and his wife now live in Birmingham, Ala., with plans to relocate as soon as possible to Jackson, Miss., where Newk’s is headquartered.
“Things change so fast in this business, and I know I can have the most impact being on the ground in the restaurants, so I plan to be very hands-on in my role at Newk’s,” said Moody.
Starting out in the highly-competitive radio industry during college, Moody opted to enter an executive training program shortly after graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Missouri and never looked back. He ended up in the food industry due to the tremendous management opportunity available.
For the past 10 years, Moody has been the Franchise Area Director and then Division Director of Franchising with Krystal Restaurants. In his latter role, Moody oversaw 140 franchise restaurants. From 1992 to 2003, Moody worked for F.M. Food Management in San Jose, Calif. as the owner of three Burger Kings and two Original Pancake Houses, leading new restaurant development and daily operations. Prior to that, Moody rose through the ranks of Burger King Corporation, from General Manager to Area Training Supervisor to Company District Manager to Franchise Sales and Service Manager.
“I know Keith’s experience with rapidly-growing franchise brands and his ability to see things from an operator perspective will be an asset to the Newk’s team,” said Alan Wright, Vice President of Franchise Operations and Marketing, who recruited Moody.
About Newk’s Eatery
As a refreshing casual dining experience in a stylish atmosphere with an emphasis on freshness, flavor and unparalleled customer service, Newk’s Eatery boasts a comprehensive menu of freshly-prepared entrees with sizable portions and exceptional ingredient combinations. Rapidly expanding since the first restaurant opening in Oxford, Miss. in 2004, Newk’s currently operates and franchises 59 units in 11 states. Headquartered in Jackson, Miss., the rights to more than 100 units of the culinary-driven dining concept have been sold across the South. From the restaurants’ open-view kitchens, customers dining in can watch the preparation of fresh-tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, California-style pizzas, made-from-scratch soups and homemade cakes and then customize their meals at the signature Roundtable. Conveniently, Newk’s also offers catering and daily-prepared menu options in the Grab-N-Go refrigerated case at the front of each store. For more information visit www.newks.com, join the Roundtable Club for email updates or follow the restaurant on Facebook and Twitter.
