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SUKI Sushi CEO exits

Sarah Stowe

SUKI Sushi Burrito CEO Kim Toovey is leaving the company after two years heading up the healthy food chain.

Current COO Neven Vanderzee is taking up the CEO role for the immediate future.

Toovey told Inside Franchise Business the time is right for him to move on to a larger organisation.

“My background is dealing with 400-500 staff members,” he said. “The back of the [SUKI Sushi] business is built out, the market mapping has been done. The business will open more locations over the next six months and look at international expansion.

“I’m excited to take a break and see what’s out there.”

Franchise moves

Toovey spent 10 years working with McDonald’s. His other roles include national retail manager for Doughnut Time and area manager for Grill’d. He started as a franchisee with Wok Me and the Burrito Bar before going on to become group managing director of Statewide Food Group.

Toovey, who is a co-owner of Open Pantry Co Consulting, leaves the business on 30 April.

This is the third senior executive departure announced in the franchise food sector in two weeks.

On Monday Inside Franchise Business revealed Phil Blanco would farewell Mad Mex, with Adam Furner stepping in to the national development manager role.

This came just days after Huxtaburger CEO Matt Fickling announced his resignation from the niche burger business.