{{short description|American businessman and entrepreneur (born 1958)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = James J. Greco | image = James J. Greco.png | caption = Greco in 2021 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|1|4}} | birth_place = New Haven, Connecticut, US | alma_mater = Georgetown University <small>(A.B.)</small><br/>University of Miami School of Law <small>(J.D.)</small><br/> City University, London, UK | occupation = Business executive<ref name="qsrweb.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.qsrweb.com/articles/navigating-the-crossover-fast-casualization-of-the-restaurant-industry/|title=Navigating the crossover: Fast casualization of the restaurant industry|date=November 9, 2015|publisher=qsrweb.com}}</ref><ref name="Yahoo Finance">{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/food-beverage-industry-veteran-james-133000868.html|title=Food and Beverage Industry Veteran James J. Greco Joins True Drinks Board of Directors|date=February 28, 2017|publisher=Yahoo Finance}}</ref> | website = }}
'''James Joseph Greco''' (born January 4, 1958) is an American businessman. He is the chief executive officer of Tijuana Flats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/tijuana-flats-hires-james-greco-as-ceo-to-kickstart-growth-post-bankruptcy/|title=Tijuana Flats Hires James Greco as CEO to Kickstart Growth Post-Bankruptcy|date=June 10, 2024|publisher=qsrweb.com}}</ref> He has held numerous executive positions in the foodservice industry, as well as various directorships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120131006125/en/Sbarro-Names-Dynamic-Management-Team-Lead-Company's|title=Sbarro Names Dynamic, New Management Team to Lead Company's Growth Initiative|date=January 31, 2012|publisher=Business Wire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.restaurantnews.com/texas-based-sekots-too-llc-awarded-newks-eaterys-franchisee-of-the-year/|title=Texas-based Sekots Too LLC Awarded Newk's Eatery's Franchisee of the Year|date=May 4, 2016|publisher=Restaurant News}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Greco was born on January 4, 1958, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in nearby Hamden, Connecticut. He graduated from Hamden High School in 1976, earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Georgetown University in 1980 and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, in 1983. He also completed international studies at City University, London, England.<ref name="Sbarro - Management Team">{{cite web|url=http://sbarro.com/aboutUs/managementTeam.php |title=Sbarro – Management Team |url-status=dead |accessdate=March 25, 2013 |work=sbarro.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208202646/http://www.sbarro.com/aboutUs/managementTeam.php |archivedate=February 8, 2013 }}</ref>
Greco is a member of the Connecticut and Florida Bar Associations; and has been on the boards of directors for the Lender School of Business at Quinnipiac University, Fazoli's Restaurants, Inc., the Connecticut Food Bank, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Circle Peak Capital, Share Our Strength: Dine Out, The UCAN Company, and the International Dairy Foods Association.<ref name="Nasdaq GlobeNewswire">{{cite press release|url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/02/08/915176/0/en/Results-Thru-Strategy-Adds-James-Greco-as-a-Partner.html|title=Results Thru Strategy Adds James Greco as a Partner|date=February 8, 2017|publisher=Nasdaq GlobeNewswire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctfoodbank.org/whoweare.php |title=Who We Are |date=November 14, 2010 |publisher=Connecticut Food Bank |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114053924/http://www.ctfoodbank.org/whoweare.php |archivedate=November 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gnhcc.com/pages/AboutUs/ |title=About Us |date=May 10, 2012 |publisher=Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510164034/http://gnhcc.com/pages/AboutUs/ |archivedate=May 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Circle Peak Capital">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130112223733/http://www.circlepeakcapital.com/op_council_greco.html "Operating Council"]. circlepeakcapital.com.</ref><ref name="PBC Foodbank">{{cite web|url=http://www.pbcfoodbank.org/james-greco|title=James Greco - Palm Beach County Food Bank|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Executive Profile: James J. Greco |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=26844447&privcapId=6190224 |accessdate=March 16, 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref> He is on the boards of True Drinks Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded beverage company, Republic Fire Protection, Inc., and the Palm Beach County Food Bank.<ref name="Yahoo Finance"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://truedrinks.com/leadership/board-of-directors/|title=Board of Directors|date=|publisher=TrueDrinks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-10-12/news/fl-people-on-the-move-1013-20131011_1_chief-operating-officer-executive-director-greater-fort-lauderdale-alliance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406051434/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-10-12/news/fl-people-on-the-move-1013-20131011_1_chief-operating-officer-executive-director-greater-fort-lauderdale-alliance|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2014|title=People on the Move|date=October 12, 2013|publisher=Sun Sentinel}}</ref><ref name="PBC Foodbank"/> Additionally, Greco is a managing director at private equity firm Lincoln Road Global Management, a partner at hospitality consulting firm Results Thru Strategy, and president and chief executive officer of foodservice investment firm Pilgrim Holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/careers/fl-bz-people-on-the-move-0305-story.html|title=People on the Move|date=March 3, 2017|publisher=Sun Sentinel|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=March 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306131406/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/careers/fl-bz-people-on-the-move-0305-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lincolnroadmgmt.com/james-greco/|title=James Greco, Managing Director|date=|publisher=Lincoln Road Global Management|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712010557/https://lincolnroadmgmt.com/james-greco/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Nasdaq GlobeNewswire"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.resultsthrustrategy.com/team.html|title=RTS Team|date=|publisher=Results Thru Strategy}}</ref><ref name="qsrweb.com"/><ref name="Yahoo Finance"/><ref name="Bloomberg Research">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=26844447&privcapId=6190224|title=Executive Profile: James J. Greco|accessdate=March 16, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>
Greco is married and resides in Delray Beach, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsrestaurantnews-digital.com/nationsrestaurantnews/20091005/ |title=Nation's Restaurant News, October 5, 2009 |date=October 5, 2009 |publisher=nrn.com |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011102623/http://www.nationsrestaurantnews-digital.com/nationsrestaurantnews/20091005/ |archivedate=October 11, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="nrn.com">[http://nrn.com/article/having-words-james-greco "Having Words With: James Greco"]. ''nrn.com''. February 20, 2012</ref> He is the father of two sons, including Sam Greco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsrestaurantnews-digital.com/nationsrestaurantnews/20091005/ |title=Nation's Restaurant News, October 5, 2009 |date=October 5, 2009 |publisher=nrn.com |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011102623/http://www.nationsrestaurantnews-digital.com/nationsrestaurantnews/20091005/ |archivedate=October 11, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="nrn.com"/>
==Career== After graduating from law school, he was a partner in the Connecticut-based Greco and Greco law firm, from 1983 to 1991, specializing in consultation to and representation of real estate and corporate clients.<ref name="Sbarro - Management Team"/>
Greco executed one of his first turnarounds at Ellington, Connecticut-based Natural Country Farms, a manufacturer of private label and foodservice fruit juices, where he was COO for five years.<ref name="Circle Peak Capital"/>
Following Natural Country Farms, he worked for seven years as CEO of Fieldbrook Farms, a $100 million manufacturer of private label ice cream in Dunkirk, New York. A team of investors, led by Greco, took over a failing Fieldbrook Farms and named him CEO. In that capacity, he successfully designed and executed a strategic plan to turn the company around. His efforts resulted in doubled profits and an increase in productivity.<ref>Tom Hartley (June 5, 2000) [http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2000/06/05/story5.html "Private label producer finds favor in the freezer"]. ''Buffalo Business First''.</ref>
===Bruegger's=== Greco joined Bruegger's as CEO in 2003. Following his arrival, the company achieved over twenty consecutive quarters of positive same store sales and total-sales growth.<ref>Valerie Killifer (January 31, 2012) [http://www.fastcasual.com/article/189860/James-Greco-former-Bruegger-s-CEO-joins-Sbarro "James Greco, former Bruegger's CEO, joins Sbarro"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112202946/http://www.fastcasual.com/article/189860/James-Greco-former-Bruegger-s-CEO-joins-Sbarro |date=January 12, 2013 }}. ''fastcasual.com''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/archive/bruegger-s|title=Bruegger's|date=May 18, 2009|publisher=nrn.com}}</ref> In 2010, Bruegger's announced $254 million in revenue.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/archive/bruegger-s-buys-timothy-s-world-coffee|title=Bruegger's buys Timothy's World Coffee|date=November 13, 2009|publisher=nrn.com}}</ref> Under him, the company expanded to over 300 bakery cafés in 26 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.<ref>Joan Warren (November 13, 2009) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091118094614/http://eastbayri.com/detail/132318.html "Bruegger's Bagels will open on Nov. 17"]. eastbayri.com</ref> On November 13, 2009, he oversaw their eleventh and largest acquisition<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brueggers.com/about-us/leadership-team |title=Bruegger's - Leadership Team |date=December 31, 2011 |publisher=brueggers.com |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224150214/http://www.brueggers.com/about-us/leadership-team |archivedate=December 24, 2011 }}</ref> to occur during his tenure, when Bruegger's purchased the holdings of Timothy's World Coffee. Through a wholly owned subsidiary, called Threecaf Brands Canada Inc., Bruegger's assumed control of Timothy's three restaurant brands: Timothy's World Coffee, Michel's Bakery Café, and mmmuffins.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
On October 5, 2009, he was named operator of the year by the Nation's Restaurant News during the publication's golden anniversary celebration at the 50th anniversary Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/archive/bruegger-s-greco-named-operator-year|title=Bruegger's Greco named Operator of the Year|date=October 5, 2010|publisher=Nation's Restaurant News}}</ref>
===Le Duff America=== In March 2011, Groupe Le Duff, a French restaurant group, acquired the Bruegger's chain and its subsidiaries from the private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, earning ownership a return of 36% per year, or 13 times, on its investment and making Groupe Le Duff the second largest bakery café group in the world.<ref>Paul Frumkin (March 18, 2011) [http://www.nrn.com/article/sun-capital-sells-bruegger%E2%80%99s-le-duff-america "Bruegger's CEO sees opportunities with new owner Le Duff"]. ''nrn.com''.</ref> Greco was named CEO of the company's American restaurant holdings, under the name Le Duff America, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont; Dallas, Texas; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nrn.com/archive/le-duff-america-names-new-leadership-team|title=Le Duff America names new leadership team|date=October 8, 2011|publisher=Nation's Restaurant News}}</ref> During his tenure, Le Duff America was the parent company of the restaurant chains Bruegger's, La Madeleine, Mimi's Cafe, Brioche Dorée, Timothy's World Coffee, Michel's Bakery Café, mmmuffins, as well as several others. The group, under him, ran over 600 restaurants and annually saw about $450 million in revenue. In December 2011, he announced he would be leaving the company at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franchising.com/news/20111222_le_duff_america_announces_departure_of_coceo_jim_g.html|title=Le Duff America Announces Departure Of Co-CEO Jim Greco|date=December 22, 2011|publisher=franchising.com}}</ref><ref>Sarah E. Lockyer (December 22, 2011) [http://nrn.com/article/leduff-america-co-ceo-james-greco-resigns "LeDuff America co-CEO James Greco resigns"]. ''nrn.com''.</ref>
===Sbarro=== In January 2012, Greco joined Sbarro as CEO, president, and board member.<ref>Paul Frumkin (February 1, 2012) [http://nrn.com/article/sbarro-names-james-greco-president-ceo "Sbarro names James Greco president, CEO"]. ''nrn.com''.</ref> Sbarro, then headquartered in Melville, Huntington, New York, was one of the world's leading Italian quick service restaurant chains and the largest "shopping mall-focused" restaurant concept in the world. Under him, Sbarro operated 1,100 restaurants in nearly 45 countries.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120308002106/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sbarro-names-dynamic-new-management-team-to-lead-companys-growth-initiative-2012-01-31 "Sbarro Names Dynamic, New Management Team to Lead Company's Growth Initiative"]. marketwatch.com. January 31, 2012</ref> Greco, credited with the strong performance and growth of Bruegger's, was recruited to Sbarro to lead its turnaround.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quickserveleader.com/article/sbarro-lures-greco-new-board-members-italian-eaterys-turnaround |title=Sbarro Lures Greco, New Board Members for Italian Eatery's Turnaround |date=January 31, 2012 |publisher=Quick Serve Leader |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112223741/http://www.quickserveleader.com/article/sbarro-lures-greco-new-board-members-italian-eaterys-turnaround |archivedate=January 12, 2013 }}</ref> Confident about Sbarro's prospects, he designed a short-term strategic plan calling for a focus on "people, place, product and positioning."<ref name="nrn.com5">Paul Frumkin (April 30, 2012) [http://nrn.com/article/turnaround-time-sbarro?page=0,1 "Turnaround time at Sbarro"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726051600/http://nrn.com/article/turnaround-time-sbarro?page=0,1 |date=July 26, 2012 }}. ''nrn.com''.</ref> Longer term, he implemented plans to shift Sbarro from its quick-service, food court based, status into the fast casual arena.<ref>Stephanie Strom (October 8, 2012) [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/business/new-sbarro-pizza-recipe-to-drive-chains-turnaround-plans.html "Sbarro Plan for Growth Is Starting in Kitchen"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref> He centered on making Sbarro the preeminent fast-casual Italian brand worldwide, an unclaimed position, and one he felt fit Sbarro well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/reports/rise-fall-and-rise-sbarro?page=2|title=The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Sbarro|date=July 1, 2012|publisher=qsrmagazine.com}}</ref> He improved the quality and variety of products, ingredients and preparation.<ref>Paul Frumkin (April 6, 2012) [https://archive.today/20120714214645/http://nrn.com/article/sbarros-open-test-units-tweak-menu?page=0,0&NL=NRN-03&Issue=NRN-03_20120409_NRN-03_787&YM_RID=%60email%60&YM_MID=%60mmid%60 "Sbarro to open test units, tweak menu"]. ''nrn.com''.</ref> His changes also included an increased emphasis on employee hospitality and a shift from its shopping mall focus to a more store front oriented concept.<ref>Keiko Morris (April 10, 2012) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140319223643/http://www.newsday.com/business/inside-long-island-business-1.811933/sbarro-to-move-upscale-report-1.3653107 "Sbarro to move upscale: report"]. ''Long Island Business – Newsday''.</ref> He believed accomplishing these initiatives would position the firm into fast-casual preeminence. He left the company in late 2013.<ref name="nrn.com5"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/business/ceo-jim-greco-leaves-sbarro-after-14-months-1.4939529|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504004806/http://www.newsday.com/business/ceo-jim-greco-leaves-sbarro-after-14-months-1.4939529|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2013|title=Sbarro CEO leaves|date=March 29, 2013|publisher=Newsday}}</ref>
===Consulting and Board assignments=== Since leaving Sbarro, Greco has held a number of interim executive leadership positions and consulting assignments. These have included President of Newk's Eatery from 2014 to 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fesmag.com/features/foodservice-news/12025-greco-named-coo-for-newk-s|title=Greco Named COO for Newk's|author=The Editorial Board|date=September 4, 2014|publisher=Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.restaurantnews.com/james-greco-joins-rapidly-expanding-newks-eatery/|title=James Greco Joins Rapidly Expanding Newk's Eatery|date=September 3, 2014|publisher=Restaurant News}}</ref> CEO of True Drinks, Inc. from 2017 to 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2017/true-drinks-appoints-industry-veteran-james-j-greco-ceo/|title=True Drinks Appoints Industry Veteran James J. Greco as CEO|date=April 18, 2017|publisher=BevNET}}</ref> and Interim CEO of Palm Beach County Food Bank from 2020 to 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aroundwellington.com/palm-beach-county-food-bank-announces-leadership-transition/|title=Palm Beach County Food Bank Announces Leadership Transition|date=June 18, 2020|publisher=Around Wellington}}</ref> While at Newks, Greco developed an expansion plan that grew the chain 70% ranking it as the 5th fastest growing chain and resulting in its inclusion in the Nation's Restaurant News' Top 200 for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/us-second-100/2016-second-100-why-newks-eatery-no-5-fastest-growing-chain|title=2016 Second 100: Why Newk's Eatery is the No. 5 fastest-growing chain|date=July 26, 2016|publisher=nrn.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrn.com/us-top-100/2015-top-100-look-10-fastest-growing-chains|title=2015 Top 100: A look at the 10 fastest-growing chains|date=June 19, 2015|publisher=nrn.com}}</ref> While at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, he led the charity during the COVID-19 pandemic through the largest increase in demand in its history with distribution increasing three-fold to 2 million pounds of food per month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-10/food-banks-in-park-city-palm-beach-darien-rethink-aid-in-pandemic|title=Food Pantries Have Had to Rethink Everything This Year|date=December 10, 2020|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greco, James J.}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century American businesspeople Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:Alumni of City, University of London Category:American chief executives in the food industry Category:American chief operating officers Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Businesspeople from New Haven, Connecticut Category:Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences alumni Category:People from Delray Beach, Florida Category:University of Miami School of Law alumni