Former Jersey Mike's Execs Lead Dog Haus Push For 300 Locations

Jersey Mike's veterans are hoping to run it back this time around with the fast-casual chain Dog Haus. They aim to push the restaurant group toward 300 locations across America. This reunion comes right after Blackstone bought Jersey Mike's in a massive deal worth roughly $8 billion last January. Several former executives and franchisees have decided to join forces again at Dog Haus. They believe the hard lessons learned while building that submarine sandwich giant can now turn this hot dog chain into a national powerhouse.

Dog Haus recently hired James Field as its chief marketing officer. He used to be the chief innovation officer for Jersey Mike's. Joining him are President and Chief Development Officer Chris Rigassio and Chief Operating Officer Garen Khodaverdian. Both of them were former franchisees for the sub sandwich maker.

Field told FOX Business that the team could have easily gone their separate ways after the big sale. Instead, they saw a real chance to stay together and help scale Dog Haus. Right now, the chain operates about 60 locations. "We all could have gone off and done different things individually after the sale of Jersey Mike's," Field said. "… I think we just thought if we stay together, it's a one plus one equals three scenarios."

He added that working through tough times with people like him creates deep bonds. When you've been in the trenches with people through that type of brand growth that you saw at Jersey Mike's, you say, 'My gosh, let's run it back.'"

Dog Haus CEO Michael Montagano said the company is laser focused on growing from roughly 60 restaurants to 300. A valuation of $1 billion serves as its North Star for this journey. "One major step in that success is building a team that is capable of executing to this level of scale," Montagano told FOX Business.

He noted that Jersey Mike's grew systematically while keeping strong relationships with franchisees and delivering a consistent customer experience. That model is something Dog Haus hopes to follow as it enters new markets. "Ultimately, that was done very responsibly and yielded a fantastic result," Montagano said.

Founded in Pasadena, California, back in 2010, Dog Haus serves hot dogs, sausages, burgers, chicken and breakfast burritos. The chain opened its first permanent international restaurant in Mérida, Mexico, last June. Field said the founders' focus on delivery and digital ordering helped convince former Jersey Mike's leaders that the brand was ready for a larger growth push. "When you look at the assets that it has, it's primed for success," Field said. "… When you look at what Dog Haus has been through over the last 15 years, different economic cycles, different crazes and fads and trends in the industry, not only has it survived, but it's thrived."

The company is now building the infrastructure it believes it will need before accelerating expansion. Dog Haus plans to divide the country into 15 regions overseen by area directors responsible for maintaining quality and guiding local growth. "We're thinking ahead and making sure that we have the right pieces in place in order to meet that demand that we're already seeing at scale," he said.

Montagano noted that having executives who understand both the corporate side and the franchisee side of the business gives Dog Haus a distinct advantage as it pursues its expansion target. "We believe that going 60 to 300 over the next few years is really a layup," Montagano said. "It's really about what we can do beyond that.