Corner Bakery Cafe announced the appointment of finance, franchise, and restaurant veteran Salil Bapat as chief financial officer (CFO). Bapat joins the Dallas-based company effective immediately, bringing an impressive wealth of financial, franchise, and restaurant experience.

“We were very deliberative and diligent in our six-month search for a new CFO, and Salil was, by far, the most impressive candidate we interviewed,” says Gary Price, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. “It was important that we chose an executive that understood our company’s culture and had the experience needed to lead Corner Bakery Cafe’s financial strategy. Considering Salil’s extensive financial, franchise, and restaurant industry background, we are thrilled to have him on board during this exciting time in our company’s history.”

Bapat most recently served as CFO for Yum! Brands’ Latin America and Caribbean region, one of many positions he has held during his 20 years experience. He previously supported Yum in Thailand and South Korea in progressively larger CFO roles. Prior to his international assignments, Salil led the Financial Planning and Analysis, Development, Capital Planning, and Business Analysis groups for the brand.   

“I believe I can help Corner Bakery Cafe build upon its success in 2014 and further elevate it as the industry leader,” Bapat says. “I am looking forward to joining this impressive management team and integrating myself into the brand. 2015 is poised to be another record year for Corner Bakery Cafe, and I am happy to be a part of the team leading the growth strategy.”

Bapat holds a MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering from Kiev Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine, where he attended on a full Russian language scholarship. Bapat is fluent in three languages: English, Russian, and Hindi. He will reside in Dallas, where Corner Bakery Cafe is headquartered, with his wife and son.