Lexington, KY – Carl Howard, president and CEO of Lexington-based Fazoli’s, was named Executive of the Year in the food and beverage category of the American Business Awards in Chicago on June 17.
A release from Fazoli’s credits Howard with righting the ship of the Italian fast food chain since he took over in 2008.
“Turning around a restaurant brand is a huge undertaking that requires a great team,” Howard said in the release. “I am very honored to receive this award, but it really is a reflection of the great work done by the entire Fazoli’s management team.”
In recent years, Fazoli’s has set sales records and attracted new franchisees, according to the release.
In addition to the American Business Awards’ Gold Stevie (for the Greek word for “crowned”) last month, trade publication FastCasual.com recognized Fazoli’s as “Brand of the Year,” and the chain has been a Franchise Times magazine “Top 20 Companies to Watch,” and Fazoli’s was ranked No. 2 overall among large national fast-food chains in the most recent Zagat Survey.
Chief Marketing Officer Cathy Hull was selected by ExecRank as a Top Private Company Marketing Executive for 2012. In last year’s American Business Awards, Fazoli's took home the 2012 Gold Stevie for Best Human Resources Department. The company also has been recognized by national hunger relief organization Feed the Children, which gave Fazoli’s its Community Excellence Award.
All organizations operating in the United States are eligible to submit nominations for the Stevies regardless of whether they are privately or publicly held, for profit or nonprofit.
Fazoli’s was founded in Lexington in 1988 and currently has 217 restaurants in 26 states.