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Upward Projects names Kristina Cashman CFO

Industry veteran joins parent of Postino WineCafé

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 2, 2018

1 Min Read
Upward Projects names Kristina Cashman CFO
Jill Richards Photography

Kristina_Cashman_-_CFO_Upward_Projects_0.gifUpward Projects, parent to Postino WineCafé and other concepts, has named industry veteran Kristina Cashman, left, to the new position of chief financial officer, the company said Tuesday.

Cashman most recently served as CFO of Austin, Texas-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar, and earlier held the same role at Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc.

Lauren Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Upward Projects, said in a statement that Cashman “brings deep knowledge, experience and an incredible track record of success” to the new position.

In late 2017, Postino WineCafé drew a significant investment from Los Angeles-based private-equity firm Brentwood Associates, which includes holdings in Blaze Pizza, Lazy Dog Restaurants, Pacific Catch and Veggie Grill.

In addition to eight Postino WineCafé locations in Arizona, Colorado and Texas, Upward Projects owns the Joyride Taco House, Federal Pizza and the Windsor & Churn pub and ice cream parlor.

“I’ve been a guest of Postino since I discovered its original location in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood,” Cashman said in a statement. “Upward Projects has cultivated such a remarkable and fresh, people-first company culture. Combined with a solid partner like Brentwood, there’s an exciting path ahead of us.”

Related:Postino WineCafe parent wins private-equity investment

In addition to working with P.F. Chang’s and Hopdoddy, Cashman served as CFO of Eddie V’s Restaurants in Scottsdale, playing a role in its sale to Darden Restaurants Inc.

Upward Projects opened its first Texas location of Postino this year, in Houston. The company plans two new Postino locations in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and a second outpost in the Denver market.

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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