Gusto! founder Nate Hybl and director of operations and strategy Richmond Green announced Daniel Erde as the new local operating partner at gusto! Decatur. Erde brings store management and franchise consulting experience to gusto! and is charged with developing team members into leaders and protecting brand standards.
“We were attracted by Daniel’s extensive training experience and strong communication skills,” says Hybl. “We are confident that he will develop a motivated staff that delivers the exceptional guest experience and high quality food that are synonymous with the gusto! brand.”
The local operating partner program was launched to help gusto! – one of the metro area’s fastest-growing private companies – expand responsibly both around Atlanta and other regional markets, while also providing business-minded leaders an opportunity to run their own business without having to invest their own capital. Partners are charged with driving the success of their restaurant locations.
Prior to gusto!, Erde worked as franchise business consultant with Burgerim in Atlanta. In that role, he oversaw 27 restaurants in seven states, managed training for new franchise owners and audited franchise stores. Before moving to Georgia, Erde served 400 customers a day as store manager at Starbucks in Los Angeles, California, and was placed in stores with opportunities for growth to improve the speed of service and product quality.
As local operating partner at gusto! Decatur, Erde will not only develop leaders and protect the gusto! brand, but he also will help grow sales and profits and be a positive influence in the community. “My vision is to have guests love our food but also come back for exceptional guest service,” says Erde.
A graduate of Santa Monica College, Erde lives with his girlfriend of seven years and two dogs, Sharkey and Charlie. The best thing about the food scene in Atlanta, he says, is the mix of new, exciting chefs and also well-known restaurants that have been around for decades.