About Steaks of Virginia, L.L.C.
Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, Steaks of Virginia, L.L.C. was organized in 2010 and owns and operates Steak ‘n Shake restaurants throughout Virginia. The company has purchased the development rights for the state of Virginia and plans to build multiple units over the next few years. This is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a proven concept with unlimited potential.
Meet Our Team
Tassos Paphites – Chairman/CEO
Mr. Paphites started a career in the restaurant industry in 1975, becoming a passionate owner of an independent restaurant. Mr. Paphites had the opportunity to become a Taco Bell franchisee in 1986 and as a result established BurgerBusters Inc. along with his partners. He has been and continues to be the driving force behind BBI, setting the strategic mandates for the Company’s marketing, development, operations, facilities, and finances. Mr. Paphites has extended his enthusiasm beyond the Company and has served on the Board of Taco Bell’s National Franchise Management Advisory Council (FRANMAC) at two different times in his career helping to shape policy and provide a unified voice to the franchise community. Mr. Paphites holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA and currently serves on the college’s Board of Trustees.
Joseph Mangano – Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Mangano joined the Company in 1997 as a result of BurgerBusters acquisition of 26 Taco Bell locations in Greensboro, NC where he served as the Company’s Vice President of Operations. He has over 30 years of industry experience having spent much of his career with YUM! Brands where he worked in virtually every role from front of the house, back of the house, to management in the QSR industry. Mr. Mangano’s current responsibilities include overseeing the management and operations of the 98 Taco Bells, dual-branded locations, and coordinating with the partners to execute on the partners’ directives and initiatives. Mr. Mangano has been instrumental in developing the current operational systems and processes that drive outstanding scores for the business. He takes enormous pride in having built a dedicated and loyal team that over the past 15 years has repeatedly won numerous “People Development” and “Operations” awards at the local and national DMA levels. Most recently Mr. Mangano has been elected Chairman of the Big 12 Operations Committee where he will serve a two-year term leading his fellow peer group. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Mercyhurst College located in Eric, PA.
Greg Rowland – Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Rowland is the newest member of the team having joined BurgerBusters in 2015, after the untimely passing of the previous CFO. He is responsible for developing the Company’s accounting policies and procedures, overseeing the Accounting Department, ensuring adherence to financial controls, and formulating and analyzing data pertaining to Company performance. Mr. Rowland is continually looking to improve the Company’s use of technology to increase efficiencies, implement cost saving measures, as well as identifying methods to implement and improve the Company’s overall financial performance. Mr. Rowland has over 35 years of experience in accounting and finance, with 17 years in public accounting and more than 18 years at the CFO level for various companies in food manufacturing and oil field services. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in both Virginia and California.
Kirk Jester – Director of Human Resources
Mr. Jester has been with BurgerBusters Inc. since 1996 and is responsible for overseeing all employment related issues, mitigating employee related risks, employment investigations, employee claims and lawsuits, EEOC claims, regulatory compliance, and the administration of new employee hires and terminations. He also manages all aspects of the Company’s employee related benefits and insurance programs as well as any new employment programs. Mr. Jester has also been heavily involved in the Franchise Insurance Group insurance captive. Mr. Jester holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from James Madison University located in Harrisonburg, VA.
Chris Farwell – Vice President of Operations
Mr. Farwell joined Steaks of Virginia in 2016 after spending three and half years with Steak ‘n Shake Corporation as a Director of Franchise Operations. While at Steak ‘n Shake Mr. Farwell supported groups from New Jersey down to Florida, including Steaks of Virginia, and has opened 20 restaurants while in that role. Prior to working at Steak ‘n Shake, Mr. Farwell was an Executive Director at Aramark in their health care portfolio and a Director of Operations at Houlihan’s, a casual dining chain. Mr. Farwell’s duties at Steaks of Virginia include complete oversight of the Steak ‘n Shake portfolio; including operations support, marketing, staffing, and process improvement initiatives. Mr. Farwell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from LaSalle University in Philadelphia with a dual major in Human Resources and Accounting.
Yianni Achilleos – Director of Marketing
Mr. Achilleos worked as a Taco Bell team member and interned at BurgerBusters corporate office for several years before permanently joining the Company in 2008. He serves as the Director of Marketing and in-house counsel. Mr. Achilleos is also a member of the Development Team, a group that oversees all projects from site selection and contract negotiation to construction completion. Mr. Achilleos holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations from the College of William and Mary. He later earned his Juris Doctor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Alexi Achilleos – Director of Facilities, Maintenance, & Loss Control
Mr. Achilleos joined the Company in 2004 as a crewmember at Taco Bell Unit No. 15359 in Virginia Beach, VA and also at Unit No. 3733 in Richmond, VA through his high school and college years as well as working as an intern during one summer in the corporate office in Virginia Beach. Mr. Achilleos has worked on a permanent basis with the company since 2010, at which time he started the Loss Control Specialist position. Over 3 years, he implemented safety programs and helped mitigate costs to insurance claims to keep company premiums low. In late 2013, he was tasked with undertaking and revamping the Facilities Department. A paperless, online work order network was implemented that streamlined repairs and maintenance for stores company-wide. While still overseeing loss control, Mr. Achilleos serves as the Director of Facilities, Maintenance, & Loss Control for BurgerBusters Inc. and its affiliates. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Deborah Baylor – Director of Asset Protection
Ms. Baylor joined the Company in 1999 as a result of BurgerBusters acquisitions of 21 Taco Bell locations in Richmond, VA. She had over 7 years of experience working with Taco Bell Corporate before joining BBI as a Restaurant General Manager. In 2000 Ms. Baylor was promoted to District Manager until 2008 when she was given an opportunity to develop and manage an Asset Protection Department for BBI. Ms. Baylor has operated the department with great success with a staff of two members monitoring 98 Taco Bells and 9 Steak ‘n Shake restaurants.
Donald Baruch – Vice President of Development
Mr. Baruch has been with BurgerBusters since 2015. Mr. Baruch comes to BBI with 25 years of executive business experience working for corporations including Taco Bell and McDonalds in development, operations, and training and 7 years as a successful multi-unit Franchisee with Atlanta Bread Company in Southwest Florida. He is a key member of the Development Team, strategically working with other departments to help find top real estate locations, build great restaurants, and rebuild existing assets to best serve BBI’s guests and employees. Mr. Baruch holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Advertising / Communications from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Emory University.
Bruce Jackson – POS Manager
Mr. Jackson joined BurgerBusters in 1991 and worked from the bottom up to his current position as a Point of Sales Manager. Mr. Jackson began his career at BBI as a team member, was then promoted to an Assistant Manager, and shortly thereafter became a Restaurant General Manager. After holding the position as Restaurant Manager for five years Mr. Jackson was promoted to District Manager. In 2000 Mr. Jackson become the in-house technician for BBI and started off with just handling register and phone issues. Now Mr. Jackson and his competent POS team handle registers, back of house, OCB’s, HME timers, cameras, and security systems.
Mike Greco – Manager of Recruiting and Staff Development
Mr. Greco joined the Company in 1997 as a result of BurgerBusters acquisition of 26 Taco Bell locations in Greensboro, NC; however, he had begun his career with Taco Bell Corporate in 1995 as an Assistant General Manager and a short time later was promoted to Restaurant General Manager. When Mr. Greco joined BBI he was promoted to Support Manager and assisted with new store openings and sustained growth in the new market. Promoted to staffing and recruiting in 1999, he is now the Manager of Recruiting and Staff Development. Mr. Greco has enjoyed a career of over 22 years with the Taco Bell Brand. He understands what qualities candidates need to possess to be successful in all facets of the fast-paced restaurant industry and takes an active approach to recruiting while also using his wealth of experience in various functions of the business including sourcing, planning, staff development, website, and restaurant related software training.