Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. announced that David A. Carr and Julie L. Derry are joining the company as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer, respectively. Carr previously served as vice president of finance for Petco Animal Supplies Inc., while Derry headed digital commerce at See’s Candies.
The senior executive additions are the latest in a series of strategic initiatives for the salad, soup, and bakery specialists. The company recently updated its menu, revamped several restaurants, and implemented its “Discover Fresh” campaign. Additionally, the company is evolving its guest-centric strategy to deliver content and offers to its online Club Veg member base.
“It’s fresh and exciting times at Garden Fresh,” says John Morberg, CEO of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. “These two outstanding individuals are the perfect fit for our culture and revitalized strategic direction. Their talent and experience will infuse new energy into our leadership team as we begin to tell our irresistible brand story, work to refresh our restaurants, and improve experiences for our guests.”
During a 15-year career with San Diego-based Petco, Carr served in a variety of leadership positions, including his most recent role as vice president of finance, handling financial duties for the company’s Unleashed by Petco brand. He was a founding member of the strategy and innovation team that developed the brand, which has grown to more than 100 stores and is one of the company’s leading growth vehicle. Earlier positions with the company include vice president of financial planning and analysis, as well as roles in strategic planning, merchandise planning, technology, and investor relations. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the Financial Advisory Services Consulting Group. Carr earned an M.B.A. degree from Georgetown University and Oxford University, and undergraduate and master’s degrees from Penn State University.
Derry is an experienced marketing executive who most recently directed e-commerce and mobile and digital marketing for San Francisco–based See’s Candies. Prior to that she served as vice president of digital experience at Guitar Center Inc., where she introduced a customer-centric, data driven mindset, leveraging primary and secondary research for designing and delivering optimal customer experiences. Before joining Guitar Center, Derry spent seven years leading and contributing to e-commerce and omni-channel efforts at Recreational Equipment Inc., the outdoor gear and apparel retailer based in Seattle. A graduate of Southern Oregon University with both an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Management, Derry is no stranger to the restaurant business. She began her career as a restaurant manager with brands including TGI Friday’s, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
