Jean Boland has returned to WOWorks, the parent company of Saladworks and three other better-for-you brands, to serve as chief people and culture officer, the company announced Tuesday.
Boland was WOWorks’ chief people officer and VP of human resources from 2019 until last year, before leaving for a similar post at a health organization.
“We created our new chief people and culture officer role because culture is such an important part of every great company,” WOWorks CEO Kelly Roddy said in a statement. “Jean is the best person for the job. She was instrumental in developing the mission, vision and values that would create the foundation for the WOWorks family of brands.”
Boland, who previously spent 11 years at multi-concept Focus Brands, will oversee leadership development, talent acquisition, employee engagement, retention and human resources policies at WOWorks brands, which also include Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek.
Last month, Roddy said the company intends to acquire two more fast-casual chains in the coming weeks.
Boland has also previously worked for RARE Hospitality International, the former parent company of Longhorn Steakhouse, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and The Capital Grille.
“I’m looking forward to further developing WOWorks’ culture and tailoring each department’s goals and strategies to unify their engagement,” she said in a statement. “Infusing our values into everything we do and stand for is at the top of my mind. I want to reconnect with our mission and vision and realign our strategic efforts with those values for our restaurant franchise partners, employees and vendors.”
WOWorks was formed late in 2020, after Saladworks acquired Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh out of bankruptcy for $1.2 million. The company also purchased bowl chain Frutta Bowls. And, in March 2021, WOWorks bought another Mediterranean fast casual—The Simple Greek.
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