Peter Tremblay

COO at Angry Chickz

Speaker

With more than 25 years as a strategic leader in the QSR, consumer and franchise industries, Peter Tremblay has driven revenue growth and value creation for established PE companies, VC-backed emerging brands, and large national restaurant chains. Peter now serves as both President of Maven Ventures Group where he provides strategic advisory support to investors and consulting firms and also Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Angry Chickz, one of the most exciting Nashville hot chicken concepts in America.

Most recently, Peter was the Senior Vice President at Panera Bread responsible for Operations Services, Innovation, and operational strategy for 2,200 corporate and franchised stores across 48 States. He created the department three-year operating plan which identified the key strategic priorities and goals for the Operations department to scale and deliver $6B in annual sales. Panera was recognized as an industry leader in technology, digital transformation, and creative real estate formats by the restaurant industry.

In 2017, Peter was recruited by Heidrick & Struggles to be the Managing Director and Head of the Consumer Value Creation at Partners Group AG, one of the most valuable PE firms in the world based in Switzerland. As Managing Director, Peter was lead advisor on the $3.4 billion acquisition and integration of Hearthside Food and Greencore. As a voting member of the Global Investment committee based in Switzerland, Peter guided numerous consumer deals, totaling $2.5 billion in portfolio acquisitions. Peter served on both the Hearthside and Pacific Bell Boards, leading the largest co-manufacturing company in North America, and helping run a portfolio of over 375 Taco Bell and Buffalo Wild Wing franchised restaurants.

In 2015, Peter was recruited as the CEO of Flippin’ Pizza to transform the brand, increase sales, and engineered the strategic direction for the Company with operations in 12 domestic markets, Mexico, and Dubai. Peter increased annual earnings each year by more than 25% during his tenure.

From 2013-2015, Peter was SVP of Category and Marketing at Aryzta AG based in Switzerland and led customer and category marketing for the second largest, most profitable bakery company in the world. Peter developed food products for numerous global brands, including McDonald’s, Whole Foods, Costco, and Walmart. Peter and his teams contributed to $2.6 billion in annual sales.

In 2012, Peter was recruited to join Jack in the Box, Inc., as the Division VP of Menu, Category, Strategy, and Consumer Insights, to drive $3.3B in sales across 2,220 restaurants in 20 states. Peter led a team of 18 business unit directors who delivered more than 200 product initiatives per year.

In 2008, through Howard Schultz’s VC firm Maveron, Peter was placed as Pinkberry’s VP of Global Business Development with the charge to scale the Pinkberry brand. Within three years, Pinkberry scaled from 30 to 300 stores in 21 new domestic and international markets to include Peru, UK, the Middle East, Russia, and India. Peter was responsible for all domestic and international growth including business development, franchise sales and airport strategic alliances.

In 1997, Peter joined Starbucks and held various leadership roles in Business Development, Operations, Store Development and Public Affairs during his 11-year tenure. Peter was honored with “Starbucks Employee of the Year” in 2001 for leading the development and launching of new espresso technology and equipment throughout the Starbucks enterprise.

As a highly decorated Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander, Peter retired from active and reserve duty after 21 years in 2014. Peter holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA and was a member of the varsity rowing team.