James Vitrano, Esq. is a seasoned C-suite executive and corporate attorney with more than 20 years of experience leading growth, turnarounds, and value creation across public and private restaurant and hospitality systems. He has served as CEO, COO, GC, and board member for brands including Fat Tuesday, Sucré, Ruby Tuesday, and Einstein Noah, delivering measurable gains in unit economics, guest satisfaction, and EBITDA performance.
James is recognized for stabilizing underperforming businesses, building scalable systems, and preparing organizations for successful strategic transactions. He has led M&A processes exceeding $400M; guided companies through strategic alternatives, public-to-private transitions, and private equity exits; redesigned field structures to improve profitability and enable growth; and revitalized brands through disciplined capital allocation and operational rigor, driving 2× to 5× system expansion.
With deep experience in international franchising and a strong focus on profitability, clarity, and team development, James excels in situations requiring swift action, stakeholder alignment, and enterprise-wide change. He serves on the board of Red Robin Canada, is an operating partner to private equity funds, and holds a Juris Doctor from Tulane University. James and his wife—an attorney and chef—are also restaurant owners/operators and proud parents of six children.
