Introducing Taziki’s new COO, John Ishmael!
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe has appointed restaurant industry veteran John Ishmael as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Joining the executive leadership team, Ishmael steps into the role during a pivotal growth period as Taziki's scales its footprint and enhances its operational infrastructure.
Three Decades of Operational Leadership
Ishmael brings over 30 years of operational experience from Papa John's, where he worked extensively across both corporate and global franchise operations. Key aspects of his background include:
Founder-First to Global Scale: Decades of executive experience helping guide a founder-led concept into an international restaurant system.
Business Transformation: Experience serving in high-level operational roles, including Senior Vice President of Business Transformation, where he led strategic system initiatives.
Franchise Alignment: Deep expertise in operational consistency across corporate and franchise-owned units.
Focusing on Unit-Level Profitability
As COO, Ishmael is leading Taziki's operational strategy with a clear focus on strengthening restaurant economics and system efficiency:
Margin Optimization: Implementing a disciplined cost-accounting approach to give operators and franchisees better tools to optimize margins.
Quality & Hospitality: Maintaining Taziki’s standards for high-quality Mediterranean meals and guest connection while driving efficiency.
Scalable Systems: Developing restaurant operating systems designed to support long-term growth as the brand transitions to a multi-regional footprint.
Ishmael’s deep operational background provides Taziki's franchise owners and store teams with the strategic support needed to navigate the brand's next era of growth.
