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Virtual Dining Concepts names Stephanie Sollers its first CEO

The Robert Earl founded brand is planning on accelerating growth

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

April 6, 2022

2 Min Read
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Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) — the virtual brand incubator founded by industry veteran Robert Earl — named its first CEO.

The company announced the appointment of Stephanie Sollers to the position Wednesday, a move that “positions the company for its planned accelerated growth,” according to a release.

“I am energized to join Robert and the visionary team at VDC,” said Sollers. “Robert is a one-of-a-kind leader and trailblazer. Much of my career has been at fast-paced and high-growth technology companies, and I look forward to continuing that path at VDC by expanding our food technology solutions to help restaurants and continuing to bring digital communities to life.”

Sollers most recently served as Enterprise Partnerships Lead at DoorDash, executing new verticals for delivery-only brands and ghost kitchens.

“From the moment I met Stephanie, I was struck by her insight into the industry, her passionate approach to business and her ability to inspire and get the best out of her team,” Earl said in a statement. “As we gear up for aggressive growth and expansion, with exciting new brands and development of proprietary technology, having Stephanie on board as CEO, with her breadth of experience, strength and knowledge, is precisely what we need to achieve our goals.”

Sollers intends to “source top-tier talent to grow our technology solutions, expand our business globally, and offer best-in-class service to our partners,” she said.

As CEO of Virtual Dining Concepts, Sollers will drive and implement strategic and operational initiatives and lead VDC senior management team to ensure maximum expansion for virtual brands across the global marketplace with a particular focus in fundraising, investor relations and identifying emerging tech opportunities.

Virtual Dining Concepts’ portfolio includes Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, Mariah Carey’s Cookies, MrBeastBurger, NASCAR Refuel, Buddy V’s Cake Slice and Barstool Bites. In Oct. 2021, the group’s parent company, Virtual Holdings Inc, received $20 million in Series A funding.

 

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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