Gregg Majewski, CEO of Mongolian Concepts and formerly the COO, CFO and CEO for Jimmy John’s, has created Craveworthy, a parent company overseeing Wing It On, The Budlong, Krafted Burger + Tap and Lucky Cat Poke Company.
“I’ve seen the restaurant world from so many perspectives over the years, and it is clear to me that the industry requires a new way of thinking given the new cost structure and commoditized experiences out there now. That’s why we created Craveworthy,” said Majewski, who partnered with the merchant banking division of FG Financial Group to form the company. “We have a clean slate but a ton of relevant industry ‘muscle power’ to come out of the gates strong and sustain it. The new company clearly has the potential to provide many pathways for our employees and franchisees to live and achieve the American Dream. The resources we’re bringing together are capable of creating remarkable value for consumers and restaurant operators,” he said in a press release.
FG Financial Group CEO Larry Swets has known Majewski for years and described him as a great operator whose had significant success in his career.
“We believe he can bring that success to Craveworthy,” he said in the release. “The formation of Craveworthy is further evidence of the capabilities of our Merchant Banking team. We look forward to growing Craveworthy into a leading restaurant brand platform.”
Craveworthy focuses on “early-lifecycle-stage brands,” including Wing It On, a12-unit brand with a franchising initiative underway that Craveworthy acquired earlier this month, and The Budlong, a Chicago-based Nashville hot chicken concept with three traditional locations, plus one in a food hall and another in a ghost kitchen format.
While franchising The Budlong and Wing It On are top initial priorities, Craveworthy is also building two brands it created — Krafted Burger Bar + Tap in Boligbrook, Illinois, and Lucky Cat Poke, which opens soon in Oak Brook, Illinois. Its menu will also be availability through 55 ghost kitchen units nationwide.
“There’s no denying we’re placing our flag in the ground,” Chef Robert Kabakoff, who is leading menu innovation for all Craveworthy brands, said in the release. “Our portfolio of brands will benefit from incredible shared resources. Given the changing restaurant world, now is the time for a team like Craveworthy’s to take its place in the industry.”
Along with Majewski and Kabakoff, executives formerly with leading roles at McDonald’s, Roti, First Watch, Giordano’s Pizza and Einstein Bros. Bagels are all part of the Craveworthy team. They include:
- Neil Quinn, CFO.
- Lori Cominsky, VP of operations.
- Blake Johnson, VP of marketing.
- Justin Egan, VP of marketing and franchise development and digital strategy.
- Becca McIntyre, VP of culinary and supply chain.
- Jason Levinson, VP of technology and IT.
- Cassie Miller, senior director of training and operations.
- Rich Guckel, VP of development.
- Kristin Albert, director of operations.
Mongolian Concepts houses Genghis Grill, BD’s Mongolian Grill and Flat Top Grill.
