Restaurant and hospitality leader The Briad Group announced that it has named former Palm Restuarant Group veteran Michelle McGuire as vice president of operations for CUPS Frozen Yogurt and Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.

"We are excited to add Michelle to The Briad Group's executive team. Her primary role will be to build a management team that will successfully facilitate rapid growth with outstanding qualitative and quantitative results," says Rick Barbick, president and COO of The Briad Group. "Both Zinburger and CUPS brands are poised for extensive growth, and her background and experience will help us build the infrastructure necessary to be successful."

A 1992 graduate of the School of Hospitality at Cornell University, McGuire has worked in various positions with the Palm Restuarant Group for nearly 20 years. Starting as an assistant manager at the Palm Los Angeles location, McGuire quickly moved up the ranks.

In 1999, McGuire was promoted to general manager at the Tysons Corner Palm, where she was the first female GM in the 73-year history of the company. Under McGuire's leadership, Tysons Corner became a training store for the rapidly growing company.

Later in her tenure, she was promoted to regional director for the Southeast, then region director for the Northeast, where she opened eight Palm restaurants. In 2009, McGuire was named vice president of European operations and opened the London Palm.

CUPS Frozen Yogurt will open its 10th company location next month in Yonkers, New York. Additionally, the brand announced in July the signing of eight new area development agreements representing 18 franchise units in New Jersey and Florida.

CUPS plans to build as many as 50 company-owned stores with an aggressive goal of 100 units within five years.