Portillo's Appoints Olive Garden Finance Executive Kevin Kalicak as New CFO
Portillo's announced on Tuesday the appointment of Kevin Kalicak as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, succeeding Michelle Hook, who departed in May to join Shake Shack. Kalicak spent nearly 30 years at Darden, most recently as Senior Vice President of Finance at Olive Garden, overseeing more than 900 restaurants and $5 billion in annual sales.
Name:Kevin Kalicak
New Position:Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Portillo's
Previous Position:Senior Vice President of Finance at Olive Garden
Portillo's announced in a press release on Tuesday that it will appoint Kevin Kalicak as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 7. Kalicak joins the hot dog chain from Darden, where he worked for nearly 30 years, holding various finance positions and ultimately rising to Senior Vice President of Finance at Olive Garden,according to his LinkedIn profile。
At Portillo's, Kalicak will oversee financial planning and analysis, accounting, investor relations, internal audit, tax, supply chain, and other corporate finance functions. Kalicak succeedsMichelle Hook, who left the chain in May after about five and a half years in the role to becomeChief Financial Officer at Shake Shack。
Kalicak brings extensive financial leadership experience. During his tenure at Olive Garden, he was responsible for managing over 900 restaurants and $5 billion in annual sales. Additionally, he held roles in brand finance, business analysis, corporate finance, and investor relations at Darden.
These professional capabilities will help Portillo's grow its direct operations while expanding profitability. The chain, in recent quarters,adjusted its growth strategy, following underperforming store openings in Texas.
"As we refine and execute our strategy, [Kalicak's] experience leading high-performing finance organizations to support operational excellence and ultimately drive shareholder value will be instrumental in strengthening our business and positioning Portillo's for long-term growth," Portillo's President and CEO Brett Patterson said in a statement.