This story was To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
Starbird is strengthening its leadership team by naming Jonathan Zacks as vice president of marketing
The appointment comes as Starbird builds its infrastructure and expands into new markets with franchise partners. Zacks brings more than 20 years of marketing experience developing brand and growth strategies for some of the industry’s most recognized restaurant brands, including Chipotle, Sweetgreen, Pinkberry and Jamba. Most recently, Zacks served as director of brand activation at Chipotle.
There, he led market-level growth strategies, go-to-market strategy for new restaurants, and national brand campaigns that reinforced Chipotle’s purpose through paid media, social and influencer marketing, digital marketing, partnerships and local activations. At Starbird, Zacks will join the company’s executive leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Greg Levin. He will lead the company’s marketing strategy across corporate restaurants and its expanding franchise system — including brand strategy, culinary, guest acquisition and loyalty, and franchise marketing — driving new market entry through company-owned growth and in partnership with franchisees as Starbird scales nationally. “Jonathan understands how to build brands that resonate with guests while delivering measurable results,” said Greg Levin, CEO of Starbird. “He has a track record of creating culturally relevant marketing campaigns and developing high-performing teams for some of the most recognized brands in the industry.