Fast-casual veggie chain The Little Beet on Wednesday named former Starbucks executive Becky Mulligan the company’s new CEO.
The New York-based chain said Mulligan will be charged with overseeing the brand’s national development plans.
“Her leadership skills, work ethic and strong business acumen will help us become the leader in our growing segment,” Andy Duddleston, The Little Beet’s co-founder, said in a statement.
The Little Beet, a “plant-inspired fast-casual restaurant,” was founded in 2014 by restaurant group Aurify Brands and has nine locations in Manhattan, Long Island and Washington, D.C.
Mulligan spent 16 years with Starbucks and was most recently the regional director for the company’s Seattle market, where she led initiatives for 95 locations in the region. The Little Beet said she was instrumental in the development and innovation of Starbucks’ mobile ordering app.
Before Starbucks, Mulligan spent 12 years with Kinko’s. She said The Little Beet “is poised for explosive growth as consumers become more health conscious and attracted to plant-based meal options.”
“I feel there is a natural synergy between the brand’s mission and the lifestyle I lead day to day, which is why I’m so excited to join the brand and expand our concept across the country,” Mulligan said in a statement.
Mulligan replaces John Rigos, who had been The Little Beet’s interim CEO. He is Aurify’s co-CEO and said he planned to shift his efforts to strengthen the company’s portfolio.
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