Full Name
James Vitrano
Job Title
CEO
Company Name
Sucré
Bio
James has a combined 20 years of legal, executive, M&A, employment, and franchise experience in a variety of industries with a deep focus in the structuring and scaling of multiple offerings in the F&B/Restaurant sectors. James also partners with ownership and executives to assist in strategic operational planning and execution; executive development; structure to scale; and, FP&A. He has significant experience in the buying and selling of various size businesses and enjoys working with his clients to assist them in realizing their professional and business goals.
Currently, James is a partner in various hospitality ownership groups launching or growing various concepts serving as owners/investors, operators, and/or franchisors. He is a proud co-owner of Sucré, a New Orleans-based patisserie franchise. As the CEO of the growing brand, James and his team will more than quadruple store count in less than eighteen months expanding into three additional markets.
He also serves as an Executive Partner with Salt Creek Capital. Salt Creek partners with experienced executives to acquire and recapitalize profitable small companies seeking additional capital or an ownership change across numerous industries. James is also honored to be Of Counsel with the law firm of Reiss LeMieux.
Prior to the above, James was the CEO, President, COO and a member of the Board of the parent company of Fat Tuesday - one of the world’s first and largest retailers of frozen specialty alcoholic beverages. During his tenure, his team created a dual brand franchising system; nearly doubled EBDITA despite a global pandemic; and, delivered over 80% new store/pipeline growth from original store count. James successfully led the sale of the company for the founding family to a strategic buyer.
Prior to Fat Tuesday, he was the Vice President of Global Franchise for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (RTI). He led global operations for the RTI franchise system with over 60 stores on five continents and over $100MM in topline sales. At RTI, James also served as the General Counsel of the then-publicly traded company. He led a team that handled all legal, risk and employee relations matters for Ruby Tuesday and its 25,000 team members. In that role, James led the strategic alternatives process for the eventual $150MM public-to-private sale of RTI.
Before RTI, James was a Senior Vice President and the General Counsel of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (ENRGI) where he helped develop and grow the traditional and non-traditional franchise offerings and provided executive legal leadership to the then-publicly traded quick casual restaurant chain. James led the $500MM sale of ENRGI’s 3 brands and over 800 units of ENRGI to JAB Holdings.
James holds a Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School and was a litigator at the beginning of his career and a former partner with Blue Williams, LLP. He has a passion for growing businesses and helping people and believes in honesty, team building and the value of relationships. James lives with his wife and children in the New Orleans area and enjoys tennis and is a proud season ticket holder of both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
Currently, James is a partner in various hospitality ownership groups launching or growing various concepts serving as owners/investors, operators, and/or franchisors. He is a proud co-owner of Sucré, a New Orleans-based patisserie franchise. As the CEO of the growing brand, James and his team will more than quadruple store count in less than eighteen months expanding into three additional markets.
He also serves as an Executive Partner with Salt Creek Capital. Salt Creek partners with experienced executives to acquire and recapitalize profitable small companies seeking additional capital or an ownership change across numerous industries. James is also honored to be Of Counsel with the law firm of Reiss LeMieux.
Prior to the above, James was the CEO, President, COO and a member of the Board of the parent company of Fat Tuesday - one of the world’s first and largest retailers of frozen specialty alcoholic beverages. During his tenure, his team created a dual brand franchising system; nearly doubled EBDITA despite a global pandemic; and, delivered over 80% new store/pipeline growth from original store count. James successfully led the sale of the company for the founding family to a strategic buyer.
Prior to Fat Tuesday, he was the Vice President of Global Franchise for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (RTI). He led global operations for the RTI franchise system with over 60 stores on five continents and over $100MM in topline sales. At RTI, James also served as the General Counsel of the then-publicly traded company. He led a team that handled all legal, risk and employee relations matters for Ruby Tuesday and its 25,000 team members. In that role, James led the strategic alternatives process for the eventual $150MM public-to-private sale of RTI.
Before RTI, James was a Senior Vice President and the General Counsel of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (ENRGI) where he helped develop and grow the traditional and non-traditional franchise offerings and provided executive legal leadership to the then-publicly traded quick casual restaurant chain. James led the $500MM sale of ENRGI’s 3 brands and over 800 units of ENRGI to JAB Holdings.
James holds a Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School and was a litigator at the beginning of his career and a former partner with Blue Williams, LLP. He has a passion for growing businesses and helping people and believes in honesty, team building and the value of relationships. James lives with his wife and children in the New Orleans area and enjoys tennis and is a proud season ticket holder of both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
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