BurgerFi Names Henry Gonzalez as Chief Marketing Officer
Gonzalez holds over 25 years of success in the food business; experience in branding, strategy & communications, franchisee relationships, product development, category management, and more
PALM BEACH, Fla., May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BurgerFi International Inc. (Nasdaq: BFI, BFIIW), one of the nation’s fastest-growing premium fast-casual concepts, QSR’s 2020 Breakout Brand of the Year and recently voted USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Fast Casual Restaurant Top Better-Burger chain for 2021, has hired Henry Gonzalez as Chief Marketing Officer. Gonzalez holds over 25 years of experience with leading brands in marketing, account management, product development, category management, merchandising and promotions both domestically and internationally with B2C and B2B businesses. Gonzalez is another welcome addition to BurgerFi’s C-Suite and Executive Management Team, since the recent announcements of Chief Financial Officer, Michael Rabinovitch and Chief Operations Officer, Jim Esposito joining the company.
“While Henry’s been successful across several industries and categories, his tenacity, efforts give a unique perspective into the food industry is undeniable,” said Ophir Sternberg, Executive Chairman of BurgerFi. “For over 25 years, his experience in sales and marketing for leading QSR chains, food manufacturers and ad agencies has effectively trained him to understand how to develop collaborative relationships that drive sales and profit growth. We welcome him to BurgerFi’s leadership team where we know he’ll be instrumental in redefining our brand and value proposition.”
Gonzalez joins BurgerFi after serving as Founder of Bigger Slice Consulting, a marketing consulting practice focused on helping companies accelerate and sustain profitable growth by collaborating with them to define or refine their brand or value proposition, brand and product portfolio, strategic and tactical marketing plans, campaigns and communications. Prior to, he served as Chief Marketing Officer of Costa Farms, leading the marketing and category management teams developing new products, brands, merchandising and promotions to serve Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ikea, Kroger and other top retailers.
“Henry has a proven track record of working in fast-paced, competitive environments and masterfully integrating marketing and communications that not only moves the needle to drive short term business objectives but position brands for longer-term success. His extensive leadership experience in field and corporate marketing with Burger King collaborating with franchisee partners along with his agency, vendor partner and client experience make him uniquely qualified to collaborate with all stakeholders to help us unlock our brand’s potential to drive significant growth and profitability, said Julio Ramirez, CEO of BurgerFi. “He has been working with us as a contractor since the beginning of the year and has already made significant contributions. I am excited about the impact he’ll have leveraging his experience, passion and commitment to take our brand and our business to new heights as our CMO.”
For nearly a decade, Gonzalez worked at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the preeminent ad agency of its time where he leveraged his experience working at Burger King to help lead Burger King’s US business during their tenure as Ad Age Client of the Decade. His agency experience also included leading teams working with top brands like MetLife, McDonald’s, Aspen Dental, Infiniti, Sam’s Club and others.
“I have been a huge fan of the brand as a consumer primarily because of the taste of the food and quality of the experience but also as a marketer because it’s so well positioned to capitalize on current trends. From a consumer standpoint, BurgerFi is the best kept secret in the fast casual space. I’m thrilled to collaborate with this talented team to bring a more consumer-focused and data driven approach to drive greater awareness, engagement, growth and profitability. We have a tremendous opportunity to highlight our points of differentiation and showcase how our brand is aligned with consumer expectations for fresh, all natural, great tasting food ordered and served conveniently across an array of platforms. Focusing on the consumer is how we’ll deliver on our mission to redeFine how the world eats burger by enriching lives through the best better burger experience.”
Gonzalez has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He believes in community service and actively supports organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Board Member, St. Hugh Grove Outreach Food Bank and Mission 22.
About BurgerFi International (Nasdaq: BFI, BFIIW)
Established in 2011, BurgerFi is among the nation's fastest-growing better burger concepts with approximately 120 BurgerFi restaurants domestically and internationally. The concept is chef-founded and is committed to serving fresh food of transparent quality. BurgerFi uses 100% American angus beef with no steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones, chemicals or additives. BurgerFi's menu also includes high quality wagyu beef, antibiotic and cage-free chicken offerings, fresh, hand-cut sides and custard shakes and concretes. BurgerFi was voted the Top Better Burger chain in Fast Casual Restaurants in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice for 2021, named QSR Magazine's Breakout Brand of the Year for 2020, placed as the Top Better Burger Chain in Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list in 2021, was named "Best Burger Joint" by Consumer Reports and fellow public interest organizations in the 2019 Chain Reaction Study, listed as a "Top Restaurant Brand to Watch" by Nation's Restaurant News in 2019, included in Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Private Companies List, and ranked on Entrepreneur's 2017 Franchise 500. To learn more about BurgerFi or to find a full list of locations, please visit www.burgerfi.com. Download the BurgerFi App on iOS or Android devices for rewards and 'Like' BurgerFi on Facebook or follow @BurgerFi on Instagram and Twitter.
BurgerFi® is a Registered Trademark of BurgerFi IP, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BurgerFi.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including BurgerFi's estimates of its future business outlook, prospects or financial results. Statements regarding BurgerFi's objectives, expectations, intentions, beliefs or strategies, or statements containing words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "plans," "seeks," "implies," or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. It is important to note that BurgerFi's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Statements about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance and prospects may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impacts may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and in many cases beyond our control, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic. Among the important factors that could cause such actual results to differ materially are (i) the impact of any economic recessions in the U.S. and other parts of the world, (ii) fluctuations in the global economy, (iii) BurgerFi's ability of maintaining its margins, (iv) changes in applicable accounting principles or interpretations of such principles, (v) delays in BurgerFi's ability to develop new products and services and market acceptance of new products and services, (vi) rapid technological change, (vii) BurgerFi's ability to attract and retain key management personnel, (viii) the existence of substantial competition, and (ix) other risk factors listed from time to time in BurgerFi's Exchange Act reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and BurgerFi undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact:
Gateway Investor Relations
Cody Slach or Cody Cree
(949) 574-3860
BFI@GatewayIR.com
Company Contact:
BurgerFi International Inc.
Ashley Spitz, IR@burgerfi.com
Media Relations Contact:
Quinn PR
Laura Neroulias, LNeroulias@quinn.pr
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ebfb7bd9-2f5d-4891-86c4-ca03ac8acadc
BurgerFi Names Henry Gonzalez as Chief Marketing Officer
Gonzalez holds over 25 years of success in the food business; experience in branding, strategy & communications, franchisee relationships, product development, category management, and more
Released May 3, 2021