News

Kono adds management manpower ahead of rapid expansion plans

July 8, 2016

Kono USA, the company behind Kono Pizza, has expanded its management team to meet the challenges of growth for the chain in the years ahead, according to a news release. The company said it has opened several new locations and sold 54 franchise units, which will open by the end of the year in a number of markets. 

Kono USA is the franchiser for Kono's cone-shaped pizza restaurants, as well as Kono to Go. The expanded team includes newly hired Kono USA Vice President Matthew P. Van Note, from Papa John's, and shopping center industry veteran Les Garrett as head of real estate development for the firm. The two men join the company shortly after the addition of food industry veteran Steven Henry as the company's new vice president of operations. 

Kono franchisees operate from kiosks, carts and in-line locations in malls, festivals and big-box stores, like the first Walmart store location for the chain in Lancaster, South Carolina. 
 
Van Note was the franchise business director for Papa John's in New York City and across the Midwest. He grew sales there by more than 5 percent for several consecutive years. He has also supervised for Hungry Howie's in Detroit and Domino's in New Jersey. 
 
Garrett founded Fort Worth-based Garrett Retail Advisors, which helps add value and reduce risk for those who own property in shopping center and mixed-use real estate developments. In his new role, he will scout new locations for the two Kono brands. He has been involved for the last 30 years in shopping mall real estate investment trusts such as Simon, CBL, Heitman and Westfield.
 
"Kono USA is an innovative company that is on trend with consumer demand for convenient, customizable fill snacks," Van Note said. "Franchisees have tremendous flexibility in the model they choose to operate and the name of the brand that works best in their local market."
 
Kono currently has locations in Philadelphia and Orlando, as well as  New Jersey and South Carolina, but the chain has plans for rapid expansion. A 10-unit deal is underway for Baltimore, and the first of 21 units has opened in Dallas. Later this year, the first of 10 units will open in California, and another 10-unit deal has also been signed for Georgia and three locations around the the nation's capital. 
 
"It’s clear that the Kono brands are gaining traction with consumers around the country in malls and other high-traffic venues," said Garrett. "My plan is to continue the momentum by finding prime locations for all the new franchisees that have signed on to open units."