eegee’s, the quickly expanding restaurant brand, today announced that seasoned industry veteran Jason Vaughn has been appointed its new chief executive officer (CEO). Vaughn will succeed Ron Petty, who served as eegee’s chairman for a decade before becoming CEO in 2019.
Vaughn brings over three decades of experience to eegee’s. Having served as SVP, Operations at Yum! Brands, division VP at Wendy’s, President and COO at Lenny’s Subs and, most recently, President and CEO of Frisch’s Restaurants, Vaughn’s strategic leadership experience with and deep understanding of quick-service restaurants will be utilized to propel eegee’s rapid growth while building on the beloved brand’s 50-year history.
“The opportunity to take part in a success story like eegee’s is an immense honor,” says Vaughn. “The brand is nearly synonymous with Arizona, and I’m excited to help bring its unique offering and first-class customer experience to more areas across the state, and even beyond. I feel fortunate to now be part of eegee’s incredible legacy — one that I take very seriously, as I know the loyalty of eegee’s supporters is unmatched — and look forward to what’s to come.”
In his retirement, Ron Petty will continue to serve as an advisor to eegee’s, focusing on his true passion of real estate to help the brand strategically expand its footprint. As eegee’s CEO, he led the company through its sale and partnership with 39 North Capital and restaurant investor Kitchen Fund. Since then, eegee’s has grown by nine locations and expanded into a new market, metro Phoenix.
Founded in 1971, eegee’s began as a vending truck serving frozen lemon drinks at community events in Tucson. eegee’s one-of-a-kind offering includes its namesake frozen drink — an ice-cold concoction packed with chunks of real fruit — award-winning French fries, and signature subs and grinders. Many of the restaurant’s menu items have a devoted following, including its house-made ranch dressings and rotating menu of monthly eegee flavors.
Now with 31 locations in Tucson, Casa Grande and metro Phoenix, the restaurant brand is eyeing new areas to expand to, including outside of Arizona — answering to years of demand from out-of-state eegee’s fans. Vaughn will be based in Phoenix, a key growth market for the brand.
