Velvet Taco Names Former Voodoo Doughnut CEO as Its New Chief Executive

Dallas-based Velvet Taco, the fast-casual restaurant known for its “creative and unapologetically original” approach to fusing global flavors in tacos, has named Chris Schultz as CEO to lead the brand’s next phase of growth in the U.S. and internationally.

Schultz will focus on operations, innovation, and elevating the overall guest experience, Velvet Taco said.

“Velvet Taco is one of those rare brands that knows exactly who it is: bold, creative and unapologetically original,” Schultz said in a statement. “My focus is on fueling that spirit as we grow, staying true to what made Velvet Taco special while building the kind of brand and culture that can thrive anywhere in the world.”

With a resumé that includes fast-growing and iconic brands selling doughnuts, pizza, and coffee, Schultz brings more than 30 years of restaurant leadership experience.

Most recently, he served as CEO of Portland, Oregon-based Voodoo Doughnut, where he guided the brand’s expansion into new markets while keeping its distinctive culture intact.

Previously, he spent nine years as SVP of operations at MOD Pizza, helping grow the company from a single location to more than 350 across the country.

Earlier in his career, Schultz spent 13 years with Starbucks, where he helped drive development and operational excellence during a period of rapid global growth.

Per LinkedIn, former CEO Clay Dover said he left Velvet Taco a few months ago to pursue another opportunity.

Founded in Dallas in 2011, Velvet Taco now operates more than 50 restaurants in eight states and recently celebrated its first international opening in London. The menu features more than 20 globally inspired tacos and the brand’s popular Weekly Taco Feature (WTF) program, which introduces a new, limited-time taco every week of the year.

Under Schultz’s leadership, Velvet Taco said that it plans to continue its expansion into key metropolitan areas while exploring non-traditional venues such as airports and that it remains committed to “culinary creativity, late-night hospitality and delivering an unforgettable taco experience to its growing community of fans.”

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