Executives
Chairman of the Board, FOCUS Brands, Inc.
Managing Director, Roark Capital Group
Steve Romaniello was named Chairman of the Board in November 2008 after serving as president and CEO of FOCUS Brands, majority owner of Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's, Moe’s, and Seattle's Best Coffee International. Prior to accepting this post, Steve was president and chief operating officer of US Franchise Systems (USFS). Before joining USFS, he was Holiday Inn Worldwide's youngest vice president, responsible for franchise sales in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, as well as for the franchise services, support and training for 1,700 hotels in the region operating under Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands. From 1988 to 1991, he held various positions with Days Inn of America. A native of Stamford, CT and a Tufts University graduate, Romaniello is a member of the Board of Directors of Fast Signs, the leading franchisor in the sign and graphics industry; the International Franchise Association (IFA); the IFA's Diversity Institute; the Atlanta Franchise Alliance; and the Elliot Leadership Institute.
Russ Umphenour
President and CEO, Focus Brands
Russ Umphenour was named president and CEO of FOCUS Brands in November 2008. With over 40 years in the restaurant business, Russ was the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based RTM (Results Through Motivation) Restaurant Group from 1973 until 2005. Growing his company from 11 under-performing Arby’s restaurants in Georgia and Alabama to 775 locations in 22 states with several different concepts, RTM was sold to Triarc Companies, Inc. (Arby’s Restaurant Group) in July 2005. In 1967, Russ began working as a part-time counterperson at Arby’s in Flint, MI, and after three months, he was promoted to Night Manager and chose to make Arby’s his full-time career. Serving in a variety of positions for various Arby’s franchisees, including Area Supervisor, Director of Operations, and Executive Vice President, Russ ventured out on his own in June 1973 and founded RTM. In addition, RTM was also the owner and franchisor of Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken with over 250 restaurants. A native of Nebraska, Russ attended Evangel University in Springfield, MO.
Kelly Roddy
President, Schlotzsky's
Kelly Roddy was named brand president in December 2007. Roddy joins Schlotzsky's from H-E-B® Grocery Company, a 102-year-old retailer known for its fresh food and quality products with over 300 locations throughout Texas and Mexico where he served as director of sales and marketing before becoming director of retail operations. Before joining H-E-B, Roddy was vice president and executive director of new business development for Scholastic Corporation, the national book publisher, distributor, and retailer. Prior to that, Roddy spent eight years with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in a variety of positions. Currently, he serves on several Boards of Directors including Baylor University's Marketing Board and Hankamer School of Business Board, and the Caritas Board, among others.
Greg Regian
Chief Marketing Officer, FOCUS Brands
Greg Regian joined Schlotzsky's, Ltd. in May 2005 to manage the Company's branding and marketing efforts, and was promoted to FOCUS Brands Chief Marketing Officer in November 2007. Regian brings more than 30 years of marketing and advertising experience, including owning and operating Fort Worth's largest full-service advertising and public relations company with more than $30 million in annual billings. His firm was consistently ranked by AdWeek magazine as one of the Top 25 in the southwest. As a strategist, executive creative director and writer, Regian has won more than 200 national, regional and local industry honors, including multiple Clio, Addy, Telly, CTAM and New York "One Show" awards. Regian is a graduate of Texas Christian University. He comes to Schlotzsky's from D.R. Horton, the nation's largest homebuilder, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta markets.