Fresh Kitchen (FK), the healthy, fast, Modern-American bowl concept, has announced two additions to its leadership team: William “Bill” Knopf as SVP, Head of Operations and Matt Livingston as Chief Development Officer.
Knopf joins Fresh Kitchen following senior operations roles at honeygrow and Noodles & Company. Livingston joins after more than a decade leading real estate, asset management and market development at First Watch Restaurants.
The executives will lead two functions critical to Fresh Kitchen’s next phase of growth: operating incredible restaurants and developing the real estate pipeline required to support the company’s plan of 100+ remarkable restaurants in the coming years.
“Bill and Matt have helped grow some of the most respected brands in the restaurant industry, but what matters most is that they embody the FK culture,” said Tyler Azzarelli, CEO of Fresh Kitchen. “They understand that growth starts with great people and remarkable restaurant execution. Bill will raise the bar on operations and leadership, while Matt will build the development pipeline for what comes next.”
Fresh Kitchen serves healthy, fast modern-American bowls with grilled meats and roasted veggies. Cooked by chefs, built by you. They serve familiar flavors inspired by places they love. The menu is entirely gluten-free and features hormone- and antibiotic-free proteins, with food prepared without seed oils and always cooked using 100% olive oil.
As Fresh Kitchen enters its 12th year, the brand’s next phase of growth is centered on bringing its food and culture to more communities across Florida.
“Built on the Lanza family’s vision, Fresh Kitchen has become something truly special—and now we’re ready to bring it to more communities,” said Tyler Azzarelli, CEO of Fresh Kitchen. “We’ll grow the same way we built the FK and Cali brands: serving food that’s good for people, building a company that’s good to people and creating opportunities for our teams.”
To support that vision, Fresh Kitchen has invested in strengthening its leadership team with the appointments of Knopf and Livingston.
William “Bill” Knopf, SVP, Head of Operations
Knopf joined Fresh Kitchen as SVP, Head of Operations. In this role, he oversees all aspects of restaurant operations, including food execution, restaurant leadership, and the systems and routines that support consistent, elevated experience across every Fresh Kitchen location.
Knopf brings more than 20 years of multi-unit restaurant leadership experience from Noodles & Company, honeygrow, Chipotle and Potbelly. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations at honeygrow and previously held the role of Vice President of Operations Services at Noodles & Company.
“I was drawn to Fresh Kitchen’s values, but the food sealed it for me,” Knopf said. “I knew right away this was a special brand, a great team and an opportunity I wanted to be part of.”
Matthew Livingston, Chief Development Officer
Livingston joins FK as Chief Development Officer. He brings more than a decade of real estate leadership experience from First Watch Restaurants, where he most recently served as Vice President of Real Estate and Asset Management, overseeing national site selection, asset management and market development. During his time at First Watch, they grew from 250 locations to over 650.
In his new role, Livingston will lead Fresh Kitchen + Cali’s real estate strategy, site selection and lease negotiations, building the restaurant pipeline that will support the brand’s path to 100 locations and beyond.
“I have long admired Fresh Kitchen and Cali’s incredible brand energy, commitment to clean eating, and strong community presence,” said Livingston. “I am thrilled to join this talented team and lead our development strategy. I look forward to accelerating our expansion into new communities, managing our valuable real estate assets, and ensuring we provide an exceptional experience for both our team members and our guests.”
The additions of Knopf and Livingston represent the next step in that growth, strengthening the operational foundation and real estate pipeline needed to scale the brand thoughtfully across the state and beyond.
