Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL), owner and operator of family-friendly restaurants that bring together high-end, organic food with active, cutting-edge play and entertainment for children, is pleased to announce its advisory board member Philip Gay, former CFO of California Pizza Kitchen and Wolfgang Puck Food Company, has joined the Company’s executive management team as its chief business development officer.
“Giggles N’ Hugs’ business model aligns well with the top trends shaping the restaurant industry,” stated Gay. “As an active member of the Company’s executive management team, I can put my wealth of industry experience to work as we execute on our plans to expand to 25 locations over the next three years.”
Gay brings nearly three decades of industry-related senior executive experience to Giggles N’ Hugs. From 2004 to 2010, he served as director, president, and CEO of Grill Concepts, a publicly-traded operator of upscale casual and fine dining restaurants throughout the U.S. Previously he served as chief financial officer for California Pizza Kitchen and Wolfgang Puck Food Company, and he has held various COO and CEO positions at Color Me Mine and Diversified Food Group.
In his role as chief business development officer at Giggles N’ Hugs, Gay’s responsibilities will include designing and implementing processes to support business growth, as well as building and maintaining high-level contacts with current and prospective customers and partners, ultimately driving prospects through to contract award.
“Philip brings tremendous restaurant experience with some of the most recognizable eateries in the world and will be invaluable as we build Giggles N’ Hugs domestically and internationally,” commented Joey Parsi, founder and CEO of Giggles N’ Hugs. “His leadership experience, general business knowledge, and financial expertise are just some of the reasons we originally invited him to join our advisory board last fall. We are thrilled to now have him as part of our core executive team as we begin our next phase of expansion.”