Blockheads Names Restaurant Industry Veteran John Haywood as Chief Executive Officer to Accelerate Growth
Blockheads today named John Haywood to the new position of Chief Executive Officer. The position is being created to enable the company to accelerate growth of the Blockheads concept and to develop other business opportunities.
Mr. Haywood has been an advisor to the company since May 2005.
Commenting on Mr. Haywood's appointment, Ken Sofer, Chairman and Founder, said, "I am excited to have John Haywood join Blockheads at this critical stage. Our concept has been carefully evolved and proven over thirteen years, and is now ready for expansion. In addition, our first franchised location, in Tenafly, New Jersey, will open in July. John's deep and unique experience with national chains is a great fit."
Mr. Haywood added, "Ken and Don Sofer have built an incredible concept and culture. I am honored to join the company. The strength of the Blockheads concept provides an incredible foundation for growth. Also, the company's unique urban model and approach may provide other interesting opportunities."
Mr. Haywood's 22-year career includes senior management positions with multi-unit restaurant companies, including Chief Concept Officer for the Carrols Corporation, interim CEO of Don Shula's Steak Houses, VP of Research and Development for Stuart Anderson's Black Angus, Director of R&D for the Metromedia Restaurant Group, and Project Manager -- New Concepts and Senior Operations Analyst for the Jerrico Corporation. In these roles, he guided numerous new-concept, acquisition and turnaround initiatives.
John is a graduate and former instructor of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and holds a B.S. degree in business from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Commenting on Mr. Haywood's appointment, Ken Sofer, Chairman and Founder, said, "I am excited to have John Haywood join Blockheads at this critical stage. Our concept has been carefully evolved and proven over thirteen years, and is now ready for expansion. In addition, our first franchised location, in Tenafly, New Jersey, will open in July. John's deep and unique experience with national chains is a great fit."
Mr. Haywood added, "Ken and Don Sofer have built an incredible concept and culture. I am honored to join the company. The strength of the Blockheads concept provides an incredible foundation for growth. Also, the company's unique urban model and approach may provide other interesting opportunities."
Mr. Haywood's 22-year career includes senior management positions with multi-unit restaurant companies, including Chief Concept Officer for the Carrols Corporation, interim CEO of Don Shula's Steak Houses, VP of Research and Development for Stuart Anderson's Black Angus, Director of R&D for the Metromedia Restaurant Group, and Project Manager -- New Concepts and Senior Operations Analyst for the Jerrico Corporation. In these roles, he guided numerous new-concept, acquisition and turnaround initiatives.
John is a graduate and former instructor of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and holds a B.S. degree in business from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.