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Modern Market Eatery names new COO

Robin Robison promoted following merger with Lemonade Restaurant Group

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

March 25, 2019

1 Min Read
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Healthful fast-casual concept Modern Market Eatery has promoted vice president of operations Robin Robison to chief operations officer.

The news was announced just one month after the Boulder, Colo.-based Modern Market Eatery officially merged with the Los Angeles-based Lemonade Restaurant Group, forming the new Denver-based Modern Restaurant Concepts, thanks to the majority investment of Butterfly, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, which coordinated the merger.

Modern Market Eatery names new COOAs COO, Robison, left, will focus on building on-premise and off-premise sales, and to continue the brand’s people-first employment philosophy.

Before joining the 30-unit Modern Market Eatery in 2014, Robison served as vice president of Bob Evans Restaurants, director of operations services at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, and regional director at Brinker International where she won a Women’s Foodservice Forum Leadership Award. She has 16 years of restaurant experience under her belt.

Robison’s promotion is indicative of Modern Market Eatery’s gender-equity approach to the formation and promotion of their leadership team, which is comprised of 49% women, including Susan McColgan, director of accounting; Beth Hardy, chief storyteller; and Erinn McCully, director of catering.

Related:Lemonade and Modern Market Eatery merge to form fast-casual company

“I’m compelled as a female leader to celebrate gender equality and pay equity at Modern Market Eatery, while being honest that the journey is still unfolding,” Robison said in a press statement. “We are committed to eliminating the obstacles that may stand in the way for women leaders to take on greater roles at Modern Market.”

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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