Team announcement
Global Franchise Group Names Chef Jason Dowd as VP of Culinary Innovation
Global Franchise Group (GFG), the company and franchisor behind Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, and Round Table Pizza has announced that Chef Jason Dowd will serve as its Vice President of Culinary Innovation. Dowd is a strategic hospitality leader and creative culinary innovator with a background in concept development, product innovation, and brand strategy. His background will prove especially useful as the GFG gears up for future acquisitions and growth. Prior to joining GFG, Dowd was the Head of Global Food & Beverage and Director of Culinary Innovation for InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). While at IHG, he established the company’s first test kitchen and Food & Beverage training center. He also evolved its branded restaurant and bar concepts across 5,400 plus properties worldwide. He also held various senior innovation and development positions at FOCUS Brands (Moe's Southwest Grill), Consumer Capital Partners (Smashburger, Live Basil Pizza), and Darden Restaurants, Inc., where he developed menu concepts for Olive Garden. In a press release, Global Franchise Group CEO Paul Damico, said, “Global Franchise Group is mission focused and the talent and commitment of our team is at an all-time high. We are building a shared service platform that will enable us to best champion our current and future brands. Our leadership team has the industry experience and know-how to get us there.
