“Claiming to double your restaurant unit count in one year may seem pretty gutsy, but Teriyaki Madness CEO Michael Haith isn’t afraid to say it aloud.

Founded in 2003, the Las Vegas-based concept now based in Denver started 2019, with about 40 units but will end it with more than 80. The growth plan doesn’t stop there, however, as the chain will hit 500 by 2026. And that’s a “minimum,” said Haith, who purchased the brand in 2016, from the founding brothers, who still own five locations.

“500 is not our goal as much as it is a conservative forecast for the next five to seven years,” he said in an interview with FastCasual. “It is the number we will be at as a benchmark towards our 10-year goal.”

Since taking over, Haith — who came to Teriyaki Madness from Maui Wowi and Doc Popcorn — and his team have implemented processes and systems to focus on growth. And that team includes several industry veterans:

• VP of Marketing Jodi Boyce, who worked for Quiznos and Smashburger.
• CFO John Miller, Chipotle’s former CFO.
• VP of Operations Janice Branam, whose tenure includes Smashbuiger and Quiznos.
• Joe Gordon, who worked for Noodles and Co., is VP of Supply Chain.
• COO Erin Hicks, formerly of Maui Wow.
• VP of Real Estate Peter Harding, who came from Einstein Bros.
• VP of Real Estate Hank Janik of Schlotzsky’s. (…)”

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