Muscle Maker Grill, the rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant brand, promoting a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious alternatives to traditional dishes, announced that Robert E. Morgan has been promoted to CEO of Muscle Maker Brands effective October 1. As president and CEO, Morgan will lead all aspects of Muscle Maker Grill’s expansion in new and existing markets.

A founding member of the company, Morgan has been the COO of Muscle Maker Grill since its 2007 inception as a franchised brand. A 40-year veteran of the restaurant industry, he previously held positions at Pizza Hut/PepsiCo Corporation, was owner of Pizza Huts of Southwest Louisiana, Papa John’s Pizza locations in New England, and Golden Corral franchises in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. His career achievements include supervising the site selections and construction of more than 250 new restaurants and 500 remodels, the creation and testing of new products and nationwide marketing campaigns, management of full-service and fast-food operations, set numerous national sales and profit records, supervising and developing training for staff of 13,000 employees, and being named the youngest vice president in Pizza Hut history. He also helped grow the Muscle Maker Grill brand from one to 60 locations and others currently in development.

“I am pleased to announce that Bob Morgan has been promoted to president and CEO of Muscle Maker Grill,” says Tim M. Betts, CEO of American Restaurant Holdings Inc., parent company of Muscle Maker Inc. “Since Bob joined the Muscle Maker Grill family, his enthusiastic involvement in every aspect of the business—from operations and human resources to marketing—has been invaluable to the brand. His vast experience in the restaurant industry, strong leadership, and knowledge of the brand have driven this company to the successful operation that it is today. Under his leadership, Muscle Maker Grill will continue its growth trajectory by working closely with our franchisees and opening more corporate-owned locations in new and existing markets. We’re happy to have him behind the wheel.”