MOD Pizza announced that the brand has added three experienced executives to its leadership team who will support operations and store development as the company accelerates its growth into new markets. MOD is currently operating 14 locations in Washington, Oregon, and California with plans to more than double its store base by the end of 2014. The executives joining MOD are:
Brad Baker, vice president of design and construction
Brad joins MOD from Starbucks Coffee Company, where he served as a director of store development managing a range of functions including construction, global special projects, land acquisition, and regional growth and capital strategies. Prior to Starbucks, Baker spent 22 years with McDonald's Corporation in construction and real estate management. Baker remarked, “It is exciting to join a successful local company that is focused on aggressively growing a brand, while remaining committed to creating one great store at a time.”
Greta Pass, vice president of real estate
Formerly vice president of retail real estate for JP Morgan Chase, Greta has spent her entire career in corporate real estate. She brings nearly 25 years of multi-unit retail real estate experience to MOD including 10 years with Skipper’s Fish and Chips, 10 years with Jack in the Box, and four years with Starbucks Coffee Company. Greta notes, “I am so excited to join the passionate team at MOD and help build the MOD brand as we accelerate our store growth across the U.S. and beyond.”
Steve O’Neill, director of operations services
Steve has held executive positions with Outerwall, Starbucks, The Walt Disney Company, and Universal Studios Japan. As a member of the Starbucks leadership team for licensed stores, Steve was responsible for building the support teams that were critical to growing this division from 500 to 4,500 stores. With a passion for customer experience, Steve remarks “I love that our MOD Squad consistently delivers exceptional service, while maintaining a spirit of individuality that is the essence of MOD.”
MOD brought its “build your own pizza” concept to market in 2008 with the opening of its first restaurant in downtown Seattle. The company was founded by a small group of entrepreneurs led by Scott and Ally Svenson, who were inspired by their love of Italian street-style pizza, coupled with their desire for authentic and affordable fast casual dining options for their busy family. MOD is “simple food for complex times.”
