Brix Holdings, the parent company overseeing restaurant and foodservice chains such as Friendly’s, Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar, Orange Leaf, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, SouperSalad, and Pizza Jukebox, has appointed Rick Brown as is newest Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Brown, with a background of 14 years at TGI Fridays and prior experience at Blockbuster, brings his financial expertise to manage the financial and accounting functions across all BRIX Holdings brands.
At TGI Fridays, Brown ascended from Senior Director of Finance to CFO, but the chain's domestic unit count experienced a decline to 292 stores by the end of 2022. In his new role at Brix Holdings, Brown will oversee financial operations for various brands, including those acquired and internally developed, contributing to the company's growth. Brix Holdings has witnessed rapid expansion in its franchise concepts, with Friendly’s, in particular, undergoing strategic changes under CEO Sherif Mityas and Brand President Dawn Petite.
In 2020, Brix affiliate Amici Partners acquired Friendly’s out of bankruptcy for $2 million. The subsequent appointments of key executives like Luke Mandola Jr. as VP of franchise sales and development marked efforts to revitalize Friendly’s and implement a growth plan, including the development of a "Friendly’s 2.0" store prototype.
The addition of Brown as CFO aligns with Brix Holdings' focus on managing financial strategies and fostering growth across its diverse portfolio of restaurant brands. Brown's financial leadership will play a crucial role in navigating the financial and accounting aspects of the company's franchises, contributing to the overall success of Brix Holdings and its restaurant concepts.
