James J. Greco, President

James J. Greco is a seasoned executive, consultant, and board member known for leading complex business transformations with a steady, calm hand. He has built a career across the restaurant, food manufacturing, and service industries, stepping into organizations at pivotal moments to stabilize operations, reset performance, and drive sustained growth.

He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Sbarro Pizza, one of the world’s leading Italian quick-service restaurant brands, with more than 1,000 locations across 40 countries. His leadership has been defined by disciplined execution, clarity of direction, and the ability to align teams around high-accountability priorities in demanding environments.

Since 2013, Mr. Greco has taken on multiple interim and turnaround leadership assignments, including President of Newk’s Eatery, CEO of True Drinks (a nutraceutical beverage company), CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank, and CEO of Tijuana Flats, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain. In each role, he brought structure, focus, and operational rigor to accelerate performance while reinforcing culture and leadership stability.

In 2003, Mr. Greco led the leveraged buyout of Bruegger’s Bagels, partnering with a private equity sponsor and serving as Chief Executive Officer through its successful sale in 2011. During his tenure, he was recognized as Operator of the Year by Nation’s Restaurant News, reflecting both business results and operational excellence.

Earlier in his career, from 1991 to 2002, Mr. Greco led two private-label food manufacturing businesses, where he designed and executed strategic plans to revitalize performance, strengthen operational foundations, and scale growth.

Mr. Greco holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University. He has served on numerous corporate and charitable boards, is a frequent industry speaker, and has authored articles on management, culture, and leadership.