Company: Fazoli's Italian Restaurants
Company Description: Fazoli's is the leading quick-service Italian restaurant chain in the U.S., with 127 Company-owned and 93 franchised locations in 26 states. Founded in 1988 in Lexington, KY, Fazoli's employs 4,845 Associates. The Company has won several awards for its progressive and innovative human resources practices, including being named finalist for the restaurant industry's SPIRIT Award in 2010.
Nomination Category: Management Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Food & Beverage

Nomination Title: Carl T. Howard, CEO

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2012 (up to 525 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants, has spent his entire 30+ year career in the food service industry.  His vision and legendary pursuit of excellence have propelled brands including bd's Mongolian Grille and Damon's to prominence and dominance within their respective industry segments.  Since joining Fazoli's in 2008, Carl has engineered a successful turnaround and, during 2012, guided the brand to its best sales performance in the Company's 24-year history.  In fact, Fazoli's same-store sales have grown for 7 consecutive quarters -- 29 straight months -- during a time when economic conditions held many competitors to flat or negative sales.       

Carl’s 2012 recipe for success included a multi-pronged approach to brand evolution, including the following key components:

• Revamping the menu to improve quality and variety.  Six major promotions resulted in 80% of the menu being upgraded.  Consequently, consumer quality ratings soared by 54%.
 
• Remodeling facilities to bring a contemporary look and feel to our Guests.  $50,000 per unit was expended to enhance the Guest experience. 
 
• Introducing real plateware and silverware in lieu of foam plates and plastic cutlery, thereby providing Guests a dining experience unparalleled by other fast food competitors.
          
• Elevating hospitality and service, including enhanced training, delivery of food to Guests in the dining room, and reintroduction of unlimited, free garlic bread sticks delivered table side to appreciative Guests.  

• Launching the Company's foray into retail sales via 1,500 grocery store outlets nationwide.  Early results have exceeded expectations.   

The efforts undertaken, and results achieved, by Carl and his senior leadership team did not go unnoticed by consumers, competitors or industry analysts as evidenced by the following 2012 awards and accolades: 

* In December, 2012, Chief Marketing Officer Cathy Hull was named "Private Company Marketing Executive of the Year" by ExecRank.  Hull's appointment as top marketer was the result of 3 years of research that included the review of more than 15,000 marketing executives.      

* In November, 2012, Fazoli's was named to FastCasual.com's "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" list, coming in at #38, up two places from the previous year.  The rating reflects Fazoli's growing market share and industry influence.    

* In October, 2012, Fazoli's earned three top honors from the Zagat Fast Food Survey, including #1 for Decor/Facilities, #2 Overall, and #4 for Service.  The survey was based upon more than 10,000 votes and included 274 national restaurant chains.     

* In June, 2012, Fazoli's received the Gold Stevie for "Best HR Department" from The American Business Awards.  The award reflects Fazoli's progressive HR practices and the Company's high performance culture of excellence.          

* In January, 2012, Fazoli's was named #10 on Franchise Times' list of the "Top  20 to Watch", reflecting the brand's reemergence as a top investment vehicle for  potential franchisees.

Its clear Carl Howard has assembled a world-class leadership team that is achieving results expected of an industry leader.  Innovation and continuous brand evolution remain the cornerstones of Carl's strategy and legacy; attributes that ensure sustainable excellence for Fazoli's well into the future. 

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Provide a brief (up to 125 words) biography about the nominee:

Carl Howard has been President & CEO of Fazoli's Restaurants since 2008.  Carl has spearheaded the Company's turnaround and, in 2012, guided the brand to its best sales and profit performance in 24 years.  His restaurant industry experience spans more than 30 years and includes prior engagements as CEO of Damon's and COO of bd's Mongolian Grille.  A graduate of The Ohio State University, Carl's resume also features previous private restaurant ownership and franchisee experience.  Carl is the recipient of numerous national and industry honors/awards and is frequently a featured speaker at many restaurant industry conferences.  A philanthropist throughout his career, during 2012 Carl was presented with the Community Excellence Award by the charitable foundation Feed the Children, for which he helped raise $50,000.