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Former Starbucks exec named COO of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya

Tony Pisa to help lead domestic and international expansion

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

July 21, 2018

1 Min Read
RestaurantHospitality logo in a gray background | RestaurantHospitality

Former Starbucks Corp. executive Tony Pisa has been named chief operating officer of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, the company said Thursday.

Tony Pisa

Photo: Kizuki

Tony_Pisa_kizuki-headshot.pngPisa, who was previously vice president for Starbucks in the Pacific Northwest overseeing about 650 stores, replaces partner and co-founder Nuri Aydinel, who is transitioning to the role of chief technology officer for the ramen concept. 

As COO, Pisa will partner with founders Brandon Ting and Aydinel to lead U.S. and international expansion for the chain, which has 11 units in the U.S., two in Taiwan and another 20-plus units in Japan.

Kizuki is based in Bellevue, Wash.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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